-Big news from the provincial NDP late this morning, as Rachel Notley is stepping down as party leader…
She’s going to remain in the position until a new leader is chosen, but she says there will be a race to replace her.
At this point, she says she doesn’t know if she’s going to hang in as the MLA for Edmonton-Strathcona until her term ends in 2027.
She’s been leader for almost ten years.
Here is Notley’s full speech:
-There’s been a great deal of speculation since the election
as to my future. While politics to the south of us would
suggest I have at least 20 years left in my political career, I
think the advisability of that is debatable.
More to the point, having considered what I believe to be
the best interests of our party, our caucus, as well as my
own preferences, I am here today to announce that I will
not be leading Alberta’s NDP into the next election.
I have informed both the senior officers of Alberta’s NDP
as well as my caucus and staff that upon the selection of a
new leader, I will be stepping down from that role.
This October will be 10 years since I was first given the
honour of leading our party.
At the time we were the fourth party in the legislature with
a massive caucus consisting of four MLAs. Less than
seven months later we had a caucus of 54 MLAs, and
Alberta’s first NDP government.
While many of those folks never expected to be elected…
…let alone find themselves in a government cabinet, we
scrambled, quickly, to live up to the immense privilege the
people of Alberta bestowed upon us.
We didn’t get everything right. But we governed with
integrity, an ambitious agenda and an earnest desire to
make life better for Albertans.
While this is not the place to go down into a policy rabbit
hole, I will highlight just a few of the things that make me
proud.
We approved and built the Calgary Cancer Centre – a
decision that was at least a decade overdue.
We stood up for the rights of working people – improving
their access to unions, increasing their holidays, protecting
their safety in the workplace …
…And we were the first jurisdiction in North America to
raise the minimum wage to $15 per hour, making a real
difference in the life of Alberta’s working poor and tens of
thousands of young people and their families.
…let alone find themselves in a government cabinet, we
scrambled, quickly, to live up to the immense privilege the
people of Alberta bestowed upon us.
We didn’t get everything right. But we governed with
integrity, an ambitious agenda and an earnest desire to
make life better for Albertans.
While this is not the place to go down into a policy rabbit
hole, I will highlight just a few of the things that make me
proud.
We approved and built the Calgary Cancer Centre – a
decision that was at least a decade overdue.
We stood up for the rights of working people – improving
their access to unions, increasing their holidays, protecting
their safety in the workplace …
…And we were the first jurisdiction in North America to
raise the minimum wage to $15 per hour, making a real
difference in the life of Alberta’s working poor and tens of
thousands of young people and their families.
We secured Alberta’s first pipeline to tidewater in over 50
years, ensuring that the return to Albertans for the sale of
resources we all own is permanently increased.
We eliminated coal-fired electricity in Alberta, thereby
increasing the health of countless citizens, and at the
same time kickstarting our renewable energy industry to
be the fastest growing on the continent…
…all while significantly reducing our emissions in one fell
swoop.
And, finally, in the midst of a recession caused by the
international collapse in the price of oil (seriously folks, I
did not cause that), we cut child poverty in half.
But, as I said, we didn’t get it all right. And Albertans told
us so in April of 2019.
Now I thought about leaving then. And there are many
reasons I did not. But the biggest is probably this: too
many people were declaring that the Alberta NDP was
done, and, more importantly, that Alberta was destined to
revert back to being a one party conservative state.
And I knew that wasn’t true. And I also knew that it would
be awful for Albertans if they came to believe that it was.
years, ensuring that the return to Albertans for the sale of
resources we all own is permanently increased.
We eliminated coal-fired electricity in Alberta, thereby
increasing the health of countless citizens, and at the
same time kickstarting our renewable energy industry to
be the fastest growing on the continent…
…all while significantly reducing our emissions in one fell
swoop.
And, finally, in the midst of a recession caused by the
international collapse in the price of oil (seriously folks, I
did not cause that), we cut child poverty in half.
But, as I said, we didn’t get it all right. And Albertans told
us so in April of 2019.
Now I thought about leaving then. And there are many
reasons I did not. But the biggest is probably this: too
many people were declaring that the Alberta NDP was
done, and, more importantly, that Alberta was destined to
revert back to being a one party conservative state.
And I knew that wasn’t true. And I also knew that it would
be awful for Albertans if they came to believe that it was.
So four years later, last spring, we came so close to
earning the right to lead Alberta again.
We received the highest percentage of the vote that the
Alberta NDP ever has.
We won Edmonton,
We won the majority of seats in Calgary,
We increased our vote throughout the province and we
elected the largest Official Opposition in the history of this
province.
An opposition that is very very ready to take over the reins
of government.
But it wasn’t enough. And that’s why it’s now time for me
to leave.
But if there is any ONE accomplishment that I can leave
behind me… it’s that we are NOT a one party province
where Albertans have no real choice about how their
province is run.
earning the right to lead Alberta again.
We received the highest percentage of the vote that the
Alberta NDP ever has.
We won Edmonton,
We won the majority of seats in Calgary,
We increased our vote throughout the province and we
elected the largest Official Opposition in the history of this
province.
An opposition that is very very ready to take over the reins
of government.
But it wasn’t enough. And that’s why it’s now time for me
to leave.
But if there is any ONE accomplishment that I can leave
behind me… it’s that we are NOT a one party province
where Albertans have no real choice about how their
province is run.
Albertans do not ever have to feel that elections and their
opinions don’t matter.
It was that way when I started. It’s not that way anymore.
Not only do I leave Albertans with that electoral choice, I
leave them with a caucus that is filled with expert,
dedicated, diverse people, supported by the hardest
working and most skilled political staff in the country.
Our NDP team will not stop fighting to make life better for
all Albertans.
We will fight to protect and improve our healthcare, to
stand up for our children’s right to a world-class education,
to fix the housing crisis, to keep Albertan’s CPP safe, and
to confront the reality of climate change.
Roughly ten years ago today, I talked to my kids about
how they’d feel if I decided to run for the leadership of the
Alberta NDP.
Roughly 15, 12 and 10 years ago, I listened to my
husband tell me he thought I should run for the leadership
of the Alberta NDP.
opinions don’t matter.
It was that way when I started. It’s not that way anymore.
Not only do I leave Albertans with that electoral choice, I
leave them with a caucus that is filled with expert,
dedicated, diverse people, supported by the hardest
working and most skilled political staff in the country.
Our NDP team will not stop fighting to make life better for
all Albertans.
We will fight to protect and improve our healthcare, to
stand up for our children’s right to a world-class education,
to fix the housing crisis, to keep Albertan’s CPP safe, and
to confront the reality of climate change.
Roughly ten years ago today, I talked to my kids about
how they’d feel if I decided to run for the leadership of the
Alberta NDP.
Roughly 15, 12 and 10 years ago, I listened to my
husband tell me he thought I should run for the leadership
of the Alberta NDP.
In all cases, my family got a bit more than they’d
bargained for. It’s been a crazy ride, but I could not have
done it without them.
I was raised by both my father and my mother to believe
that public service is something one should strive for
throughout your life.
I wish they could have been here to see some of what
we’ve accomplished.
Either way it would not have happened without the
examples they both set – demonstrating daily the value of
hard work, compassion for our neighbours and the
importance of their social democratic convictions.
To all the volunteers, activists, donors, canvassers, past
current and future in Alberta’s NDP — Thank you.
There would be no success without you. You are the
strength and the foundation of our movement and I will be
forever humbled by your selfless dedication to our
province.
Short of having, raising, and debating with my family, the
opportunity to serve this party and this province has been
the honour of my life.
bargained for. It’s been a crazy ride, but I could not have
done it without them.
I was raised by both my father and my mother to believe
that public service is something one should strive for
throughout your life.
I wish they could have been here to see some of what
we’ve accomplished.
Either way it would not have happened without the
examples they both set – demonstrating daily the value of
hard work, compassion for our neighbours and the
importance of their social democratic convictions.
To all the volunteers, activists, donors, canvassers, past
current and future in Alberta’s NDP — Thank you.
There would be no success without you. You are the
strength and the foundation of our movement and I will be
forever humbled by your selfless dedication to our
province.
Short of having, raising, and debating with my family, the
opportunity to serve this party and this province has been
the honour of my life.
Over the last decade, Albertans have given me a
tremendous opportunity to serve in this role and I am so
grateful.
The people of our province are bold, friendly, open, caring
and adventurous. I’ve learned so much from them. And
the land we share is the most beautiful — and sometimes
the coldest — place on earth.
I also want to thank the people of Edmonton Strathcona,
who have supported me since 2008. We live in and are
part of a fabulous community that I am so proud to call
home.
Thank you to all the Albertans I’ve met along the way –
those who advised me, supported me, disagreed with me,
and, yes, even campaigned against me.
We all love this province.
I love this province and I know that our best days are still
ahead.
Thank you.
*******************
-The Liberals are holding another cabinet retreat before the House of Commons gets back to work January 29th.
This one starts this Sunday, where they plan to talk about inflation, the housing crisis, the war in Gaza and how to deal with the current impasse with the NDP over a national pharmacare program.
**************
-There was a big house fire in north Edmonton early this morning.
Crews were called to 179th Avenue and 94th Street, where four people had to be taken to the hospital.
The fire happened shortly after 1am, and so far, no word on the cause.
The extent of the victims’ injuries isn’t known.
****************
-There was also a fire in a new neighbourhood in Beaumont early this morning.
It happened at an under-construction home in Triomphe Estates.
Investigators say they don’t know the cause yet, and that no one was in the building.
*******************
-There was a big fire at the Monkey Top Saloon in Bentley last night.
There was a ton of smoke from that blaze, but it doesn’t sound like anyone was hurt.
No word on the cause just yet, and the owners are vowing to rebuild.
**********************
-One person was taken to the hospital, after an LRT train hit a pedestrian near the 129th Avenue crossing yesterday morning.
The incident happened just after 6am, and trains were stopped between the Coliseum and Clareview stations.
There’s been no update on the person who was hit.
The incident happened just after 6am, and trains were stopped between the Coliseum and Clareview stations.
There’s been no update on the person who was hit.
*****************
-Edmonton police have issued a warning about the release of a convicted violent sexual offender who’s going to be living in the city.
Police say Jason Hipson will be managed by the EPS Behavioural Assessment Unit, but say he’s victimized a number of females, both adolescent and adult, sometimes by gaining the trust of an individual or family.
He’s 47 years old, about 5 foot 4, 168 pounds and with brown hair and brown eyes.
Members of the public are advised that the intent of this process is to enable citizens to take suitable precautionary measures. Releasing this information is NOT intended to encourage people to engage in any form of vigilante action.
This information is released under the authority of the FOIP Act, RSA 2000, C. F-25.
He’s under a number of conditions:
He must live at a residence approved by his Supervisor and must not change that address until he has received written approval from his Supervisor.
He must abide by a curfew of 10 PM to 6 AM daily unless a varied time is approved in writing by his Supervisor.
He must not travel out of the City of Edmonton without written approval of his Supervisor.
Not to be in the presence of any children under the age of 16 unless accompanied by a responsible adult who know your criminal history and has been approved by your supervisor or designate.
Not attend within 100 meters of a public park, public swimming area, daycare, school ground, playground, recreational centers, community centers, youth shelters, public libraries, or any other area where persons under the age of 16 are present or can reasonably expected to be present unless you have received written approval from your Supervisor or designate.
Not to purchase, possess, or consume any alcoholic beverages. Not to consume or possess any drug listed in the Schedule of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, excluding cannabis, any prescription drugs not prescribed to you or any other intoxicating substances.
Anyone with any information about any potential breaches of these conditions or concerning behaviour by Hipson can contact the EPS at 780-423-4567.
Anyone with any information about any potential breaches of these conditions or concerning behaviour by Hipson can contact the EPS at 780-423-4567.
*******************
-Edmonton Mayor Amarjeet Sohi wants an emergency to be declared over homelessness and housing.
He says more than 3-hundred Edmontonians have died in the past year because they were homeless, and he says something needs to be done about it immediately.
But the rest of city council wants more time before they make some kind of declaration.
He says more than 3-hundred Edmontonians have died in the past year because they were homeless, and he says something needs to be done about it immediately.
But the rest of city council wants more time before they make some kind of declaration.
There’s supposed to be a vote this afternoon.
*****************
-The Agriculture Carbon Alliance is calling on producers to be part of a country-wide movement to have farmers and ranchers be exempt from paying the carbon tax.
The campaign is called “Show Your Receipts”, where producers are asked to share copies of what they’re paying for natural gas and propane, and then the Alliance will present those receipts to MP’s and senators.
The Alliance wants Bill C-234 returned to its original form and then passed.
The Senate had removed barns, greenhouses and outbuildings from the exemption, along with cutting the exemption for grain drying to just three years.
Producers can head to agcarbonalliance.ca for more information.
The campaign is called “Show Your Receipts”, where producers are asked to share copies of what they’re paying for natural gas and propane, and then the Alliance will present those receipts to MP’s and senators.
The Alliance wants Bill C-234 returned to its original form and then passed.
The Senate had removed barns, greenhouses and outbuildings from the exemption, along with cutting the exemption for grain drying to just three years.
Producers can head to agcarbonalliance.ca for more information.
***************
-The group “Wind Concerns” is repeating its call for a moratorium on the expansion of industrial wind factories, following the emergency alert that asked Albertans to cut down on power use.
The group says reliance on wind power put the province dangerously close to blackouts, especially as wind turbines began shutting down when temperatures dropped to minus 28.
The group says reliance on wind power put the province dangerously close to blackouts, especially as wind turbines began shutting down when temperatures dropped to minus 28.
************************
-Canada’s inflation rate jumped to 3.4-percent last month, but it didn’t come as a surprise to economists.
Many said they were expecting it, as food prices were up.
But it’s better than it had been in December of 2022, when it was 6.8-percent.
******************
-Loblaw is ending its practice of offering discounts of up to 50-percent on grocery items that are close to their expiration date.
Instead, they’re going to offer 30-percent off last day sale items.
Instead, they’re going to offer 30-percent off last day sale items.
A spokesperson for the company says people can check on deep discounts on food nearing expiration thru an app called “Flashfood.”
The head of the Inception Retail Group says it doesn’t make sense for Loblaw to do this, especially when stores throw out food they don’t sell.
The head of the Inception Retail Group says it doesn’t make sense for Loblaw to do this, especially when stores throw out food they don’t sell.
*****************
-Teachers in the Edmonton Public School Division have voted in favour of the division’s latest offer.
They had voted no to the last one, but union reps say the most recent one has answered questions about working conditions for online teachers, the school calendar, administrator schedules and paid PD-days for subs.
But while teachers have said yes, the deal still has to be ratified by the school board.
That could happen a bit later this month.
They had voted no to the last one, but union reps say the most recent one has answered questions about working conditions for online teachers, the school calendar, administrator schedules and paid PD-days for subs.
But while teachers have said yes, the deal still has to be ratified by the school board.
That could happen a bit later this month.
******************
-Close to 3-hundred employees of toy retailer Mastermind have been given termination notices, as the stores have a new owner.
Before Mastermind filed for creditor protection in November and liquidated eighteen stores, it had about 8-hundred employees.
Before Mastermind filed for creditor protection in November and liquidated eighteen stores, it had about 8-hundred employees.
****************
-There were some changes to family laws in BC yesterday, which could make it easier to figure out who gets the pets, if there’s a divorce.
The courts will now take willingness and ability to care for an animal, along with relationships between kids and pets into consideration.
**************
-Former NDP leader Ed Broadbent is going to receive a state funeral later this month.
He spent 14 years as leader of the party, and faced four different prime ministers during that time.
He died last week at the age of 87.
He spent 14 years as leader of the party, and faced four different prime ministers during that time.
He died last week at the age of 87.
********************
-Habs nicked the Avalanche 4-3 last night.
-BlueJackets beat the Canucks 4-3 in a shootout.
NBA:
-Celtics beat the Raptors 105 to 96.
-Former Oiler Ryan Smyth is one of two Canadians who’s going to be inducted into the International Ice Hockey Federation’s Hall of Fame.
Smyth was part of he Canadian men’s team that won the gold medal in 2002, while women’s hockey architect Mel Davidson coached the women to a couple of Olympic gold medals in 2006 and 2010.
Smyth was part of he Canadian men’s team that won the gold medal in 2002, while women’s hockey architect Mel Davidson coached the women to a couple of Olympic gold medals in 2006 and 2010.
TODAY/TONIGHT:
-Oilers are back in action tonight, as they’re hoping for their 11th win in a row.
They’re hosting the Leafs at Rogers Place. Game starts at 7.
-Sens take on the Avalanche at 5.
-Jets meet the Islanders at 6.
-Flames face the Coyotes at 7.
PROFESSIONAL WOMEN’S HOCKEY LEAGUE:
-Montreal plays New York at 5.
AJHL:
-Sherwood Park Crusaders take on the Blackfalds Bulldogs.
-Drumheller Dragons play the Grande Prairie Storm.
-Fort McMurray Oil Barons face the Brooks Bandits.
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