Canadian political party leader blames BioWare’s closure on private equity, says government should help former employees buy it back
Canadian NDP leader Avi Lewis has criticized the role of private equity in BioWare’s recent closure by Electronic Arts. Lewis argued that private equity firms typically “buy up businesses, run them into the ground, and rip them apart for short-term profit,” citing the studio’s shutdown as a prime example of this exploitative pattern.
In response to BioWare’s closure, Lewis proposed that the Canadian government provide financial support to enable current and former employees to buy back the studio. His proposal reflects broader concerns about private equity’s impact on the gaming industry, particularly regarding employment preservation and long-term creative sustainability.
The comments highlight a growing political debate about ownership models and stakeholder priorities in technology and creative sectors. While private equity investors typically prioritize financial returns and portfolio optimization, Lewis advocates for alternative ownership structures—specifically worker cooperatives or employee-owned enterprises—backed by government support. This proposal exemplifies tensions between maximizing shareholder value and maintaining stable employment and creative output in the gaming industry.