Who Are the Alberta NDP Leadership Candidates So Far

NDP Leader Rachel Notley gives her concession speech in Edmonton on May 29, 2023. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press)

The race to replace NDP Leader Rachel Notley has been heating up with five individuals announcing their candidacy just weeks after Ms. Notley announced her departure.

Ms. Notley said she would be stepping down during a media conference on Jan. 16. The party plans to announce the new leader on June 22, according to the NDP website.

“We will announce the results at a special showcase on June 22, which will be a time for our party to gather to celebrate Rachel Notley’s legacy, and the renewed vision that will come with a new leader,” said Amanda Freistadt, chief returning officer of the Alberta NDP leadership race.

So far, the following people have announced they are seeking the leadership role.

MLA Kathleen Ganley

Ms. Ganley served as the province’s justice minister and solicitor general from 2015 to 2019. She has a background in law and a juris doctor degree from the University of Calgary, as well as experience as an associate in a private law firm. Ms. Ganley also holds a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy and a Bachelor of Science in psychology. She is the current NDP critic for energy and climate.

She was the first to publicly announce her leadership bid, on Feb. 5 at a media event at the Telus Convention Centre in Calgary.

MLA Rakhi Pancholi

First elected in May 2023, Ms. Pancholi is the critic of education for the NDP. She has a background in law and also served as the critic for children’s services.

She launched her campaign with a video posted to social media.

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“Alberta is a place where opportunity is endless – for all of us,” she said in the Feb. 8 post. “Today, I am proud to share my vision with you. I am running to be the leader of Alberta’s NDP and the next Premier of this great province.”

“This is the time for us to make bold choices about the future we want for ourselves and our province,” she said in the video.

MLA Sarah Hoffman

Former deputy premier, Ms. Hoffman currently serves as the deputy leader of the NDP and critic for municipal affairs. She has also served as a trustee for the Edmonton Public School Board, helping increase inclusivity, the NDP profile page says.

She is focusing on health, housing, and climate, according to her campaign website.

“Alberta needs our hard work and NDP values to meet the challenges we all face,” she said in a video on the website.

MLA Jodi Calahoo Stonehouse

Another newcomer to provincial politics, Ms. Stonehouse has served as the critic for Environment, Parks & Climate Resilience since she was elected in May 2023. She has previously been the executive director for the Yellowhead Indigenous Education Foundation, and is Cree and Mohawk from Michel First Nation.

She announced her bid to be the party’s new leader in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

“I am proud to announce that I am running to be the leader of @albertaNDP and the next Premier of this great province,” she wrote on Feb. 24.

The post also included a video, where she said that she wanted to work together with Albertans.

“Our greatest strength is all of us.”

Gil McGowan

Alberta Federation of Labour president for the past 18 years, Mr. McGowan has previously run as a federal NDP candidate in Edmonton during the 2015 election. While he has not publicly announced his candidacy, he has confirmed it to media.

The Epoch Times reached out to Mr. McGowan for comment but did not hear back by publication time.

Nominations for the NDP leadership election wrap up on March 15.