Former Alberta Premier Rachel Notley has announced her decision to step aside as the leader of the Alberta New Democratic Party (NDP) once her replacement is chosen by party members. Flanked by her husband and two adult children during a press conference in Edmonton, Notley cited the NDP’s failure to secure victory in the 2023 Alberta election as the reason for her departure.
After nearly a decade as the leader of the party, Notley expressed her commitment to providing Alberta voters with a credible progressive alternative in the opposition, emphasizing that Alberta should not be considered a one-party province. She stressed the importance of elections and the significance of individual opinions in shaping the province’s future.
As the longest-serving Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) currently in Alberta’s legislature, Notley was first elected to represent the Edmonton-Strathcona riding in 2008, following in the footsteps of her late father, Grant Notley, who was also an NDP leader and the party’s sole MLA for over a decade in the 1970s and early 1980s.
Rachel Notley became widely known for leading the NDP to a historic electoral victory in 2015, ending 44 years of Progressive Conservative rule in Alberta. In that election, the NDP secured 54 seats, a substantial increase from their four-member caucus in 2012, as support from other left-of-center alternatives shifted toward the NDP.
Notley acknowledged that her defeat in the 2019 election by a united conservative movement had initially raised doubts about her continuation as party leader. However, she and her team rebounded in the May 2023 election, winning 38 seats in the legislature, the largest Opposition in the province’s history.
Notley explained that she remained in her role throughout the fall 2023 session to assist 19 newly elected MLAs in transitioning into their positions. Among her notable accomplishments, she highlighted efforts to reduce child poverty, promote investments in renewable energy, and establish a $15-an-hour minimum wage. She also emphasized her legacy of changing the dynamics of Alberta’s electoral politics, creating an environment where progressive ideas have the potential to become policy.
Although Rachel Notley did not disclose her long-term career plans, she expressed no interest in pursuing any federal political roles. Her resignation prompted tributes from various political figures, including Alberta United Conservative Party Premier Danielle Smith, who praised her dedication and commitment to public service.
The Alberta NDP will now embark on a competitive leadership race, with party members set to choose Notley’s successor. Party President Nancy Janovicek announced that the provincial council will convene on January 27 in Red Deer to determine the leadership campaign’s start and end dates and consider draft contest rules. With a strong and growing membership base, the Alberta NDP aims to maintain its position as a prominent political force in the province.
As Rachel Notley steps down from her leadership role, many consider it the end of an era, but also an opportunity for renewal and growth within the Alberta NDP. Her principled leadership and the party’s transition to a more central political stance have contributed to its success and broader appeal. Political observers will now closely watch how the party performs without Notley at the helm, as her departure marks a significant moment in Alberta politics.