NDP's Avi Lewis Urges Federal Aid for BioWare Staff Buyout
The NDP leader says Ottawa should back an employee purchase of the Edmonton studio and ties its closure to EA's private equity ownership.
Avi Lewis, leader of Canada's New Democratic Party, said the Canadian government should provide federal support to BioWare employees so they can buy and run the Edmonton studio themselves, according to kotaku.com.
Lewis tied BioWare's closure to EA's takeover by private equity rather than to the non-binary character in Dragon Age: The Veilguard, dismissing claims that the character was responsible for the studio's fate.
He also pointed to the cancelled Mass Effect: Universe as the kind of project the team could keep working on under employee ownership, citing the Mass Effect series BioWare is known for.
The studio had been a staple of Canadian game development for 30 years before it closed. In August 2025, EA was acquired by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, Silver Lake Partners and Jared Kushner's Affinity Partners.
Quick answers
What did Avi Lewis propose for BioWare?
He said the Canadian government should give federal support to BioWare employees to buy and run the studio themselves.
What did Lewis blame for BioWare's closure?
He attributed it to EA's acquisition by private equity, not to the non-binary character in Dragon Age: The Veilguard.