Alberta NDP names new caucus leadership

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Newly minted Alberta NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi says he’s in “no rush” to claim an elected role in the provincial government, as he named his stand-in for the Alberta legislature on Monday.

Fresh off a landslide victory in the NDP’s leadership contest over the weekend, Nenshi told reporters Monday that Edmonton-Mill Woods MLA Christina Gray will hold the title of leader of the Opposition.

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Even though he’s now the leader of the party, Nenshi can’t hold the position on the floor of the legislature since he doesn’t have a seat.

“I may not be sitting on the floor, but you’ll see me in the gallery during those times,” said Nenshi. “And I have unbelievable confidence, the most confidence that it is possible to have, in Christina Gray’s ability to manage what happens on that floor and to manage our caucus. We are in very, very good hands, and I’m not feeling any pressure about this at all.”

Gray will retain her role as the party’s house leader, but Edmonton-Whitemud MLA Rakhi Pancholi — who ran in the leadership contest before resigning to support Nenshi — will take over Gray’s current position as deputy party leader.

“This is an exciting time for our caucus and movement, and we are looking forward to continuing to fight for a better future for all Albertans,” said Gray.

Pancholi added: “Our caucus is made up of a diverse group of exceptional Albertans ready for this next chapter and I am so proud to help lead this amazing team.”

Lethbridge-West ‘unlikely’ for Nenshi

With an open seat in Lethbridge-West — where NDP MLA Shannon Phillips recently resigned — some expected Nenshi would consider running in that riding. While the ex-Calgary mayor said he’d have conversations with the constituency, he said he “likely will not run in Lethbridge-West.”

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“I really believe that MLAs need to be champions for their communities, and unlike the premier, who represents the community in which she does not live and kind of pops in a couple times a year, I really believe that folks deserve to have a great local MLA,” Nenshi said, scrutinizing Premier Danielle Smith’s decision to run in a Brooks-Medicine Hat byelection after her selection as UCP leader and premier in 2022.

Nenshi said not holding a seat will allow him to spend the summer focusing on reaching out to communities and talking to Albertans. He said he and other caucus members have a trip planned to the Ponoka Stampede, where he’ll look to connect with rural Albertans.

“It’s a really good opportunity to reintroduce myself, to reintroduce some of the caucus members and to hear a little bit about what’s going on in central Alberta and across Alberta outside of Calgary and Edmonton,” he said.

There are no changes currently planned for the Alberta NDP’s critic roles, said Nenshi.

A caucus retreat is planned for next week, where Nenshi says he’ll get to know his new colleagues a bit better.

“I’m really interested in hearing from them about how things have been going, about what could be better, what is working and how we can be much more effective,” Nenshi said.

“My philosophy as a leader has always been around focus and alignment, so I want to make sure that we are very disciplined, that we are very focused on the things that Albertans care about, and in providing Albertans that alternative.”

mrodriguez@postmedia.com

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