"Honour of my life": Rachel Notley steps down as Alberta NDP leader
Rachel Notley has officially stepped down as leader of the Alberta New Democratic Party, breaking the news to supporters Tuesday afternoon.
Notley will remain in the job as leader of the Official Opposition until a new leader is selected following a leadership race, she confirmed while speaking in Edmonton.
“I’m here today to announce that I will not be leading Alberta’s NDP into the next election.”
Notley, emotional during a press conference, praised members of the NDP Caucus, volunteers, and others for their work during her time as leader.
“Albertans have given me a tremendous opportunity to serve in this role,”
Notley also said she has “no current plans to step down” as MLA for Edmonton-Strathcona before her term ends in 2027.
Notley was first elected to the Legislative Assembly as an MLA in 2008.
In 2014, she won the Alberta New Democratic Party leadership election on the first ballot with 70% of the vote.
The following year, Notley led the NDP to a historic majority win in the 2015 Alberta provincial election, ending 44 years of consecutive Conservative domination.
She served as premier until 2019, when Jason Kenney’s United Conservative Party defeated the NDP.
Speculation about whether or not Notley would remain as Alberta NDP leader began after another defeat in the 2023 provincial election, which saw Danielle Smith be elected premier.
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