Former premier Rachel Notley, a veteran politician in Alberta's underdog NDP, has resigned as a legislator.
Notley, the former leader of the Alberta NDP, announced her pending resignation from her seat in the Alberta legislature in a statement Thursday. She will step down as MLA for Edmonton-Strathcona effective December 30.
“It is with mixed emotions that I write today to announce that I am sending a letter to the Speaker of the Alberta Legislative Assembly, advising of my intention to resign from my position,” Notley wrote in a statement posted on social media Thursday.
After leading the party to victory in 2015 and losing two subsequent elections, Notley announced in January that she would step down from the party's leadership.
She resigned as opposition leader last summer, signaling a leadership race that resulted in former Calgary mayor Nahid Nenshi claiming command of the party.
“I'm excited and proud to see our membership grow to over 80,000 members since four deserving contestants asked for their votes in June of this year,” Nott said in her post on Thursday.
Nenshi said he wants the NDP to win the next provincial election in October 2027 and called on supporters to redouble their efforts to grow the party.
“The election of Naheed Nenshi represents a great opportunity for all Albertans to find practical solutions to the affordability crisis, along with a true commitment to fixing our health care so all Albertans can get the support they need, no matter where they live or how much they earn,” Knott said in a statement Thursday.
In a statement Thursday, Nenshi described Notley as a “once-in-a-lifetime politician” who should be recognized for leading the NDP to victory and becoming the largest opposition in Alberta history.
Radio-Canada reported Thursday that sources have confirmed that Nenshi intends to run as a candidate in the riding of Edmonton-Strathcona. Nenshi has not announced his candidacy for any riding yet.
A asked about his intention to run Live Youtube event Thursday evening, Nenshi Said he wanted to focus on gratitude Notley.
“I don't want to step on Rachel's day, it's her day,” he said.
“At some point, it will be the provincial government that makes the call by-election in Edmonton –Strathcona” Nenshi That said, he's said in the past that should a vacancy come up in Calgary or Edmonton, that's something he'll look at.
“We need to communicate with the people of Edmonton—Strathcona About whether it makes sense.”
Nott said it has been an honor to serve her constituents for nearly 17 years. She thanked her family, constituencies and staff for their continued support in her political career and said she would say more about her next steps in the next few weeks.
In a Zoom call with reporters Thursday afternoon, Nott became emotional when discussing his decision to resign.
“I can't see myself ever leaving my community. You know, our roots here are so deep and like — I'm sorry,” she said, choking back tears.
“I love our neighborhood. I love the community we live in, the friends … we're really connected here. So, I don't see us leaving Edmonton, Strathcona, Alberta.”
Premier Daniel Smith is due to call a by-election in Edmonton-Strathcona six months after Notley's resignation.
Nenshi, who does not yet have a seat in the Alberta legislature, has not announced his own plans.
Under Notley's leadership, the NDP claimed power in 2015, ending an 80-year streak of right-wing governments in Alberta.
His rise to power in Alberta came at a tumultuous time in the provincial political landscape.
The upstart, right-leaning Wildrose Party was plagued by floor crossings and resignations, and the Liberals were decimated.
On election night, Notley emerged as the clear winner, enjoying a surge of voter support known as the Orange Wave.
But soon, widespread support turned many historically conservative ridings orange.
Notley's leadership was plagued by a deep recession, low oil prices and a deeply unpopular carbon tax that lost him support outside NDP strongholds in Alberta's urban districts.
In 2019, Jason Kenney and his United Conservative Party took power, returning Alberta to conservative leadership. And that political shift among Alberta voters has been swift.
Kenny's successor, Daniel Smith, won the 2023 election to form the UCP a majority government.
orange root
Notley, who began her career in law, was first elected to the Alberta legislature in 2008 and claimed her role as party leader in October 2014. She was first elected in 2008 to represent the riding of Edmonton-Strathcona.
She is a politician with deep roots within the NDP.
His father, Grant Notley, was provincial leader of the NDP from 1968 until he was killed in a plane crash in 1984 at the age of 45.
His father was first elected to the Legislative Assembly in 1971 and was Alberta's only NDP MLA for years.
Notley, a mother of two, lives in Edmonton with her husband.
During an unrelated news conference Thursday, Smith recognized Notley for her long tenure in the Alberta Legislature.
“She was one of the longest-serving members of our legislature,” Smith told reporters.
“The support he got in his community during the election made people feel he represented him well. So I'm looking forward to seeing what his next steps are.”
