Alberta.

• Author: Rempel, Jody
• Position: Legislative Reports

Election--Spring 2015

A general election was held in Alberta on May 5, 2015. Following a judicial recount in Calgary-Glenmore it was determined that the New Democrats (ND), under the leadership of Rachel Notley (Edmonton-Strathcona), had won 54 of the 87 seats in the Assembly. The Wildrose (WR) remained the Official Opposition after winning 21 seats, and, after almost 44 years in government, the Progressive Conservatives (PC) became the third-party opposition with nine Members. The only Alberta Liberal (AL) Member returned to the Assembly was David Swann (Calgary-Mountain View) and Greg Clark (Calgary-Elbow) was the first Member of the Alberta Party elected to the Assembly. Voter turnout for the election was 53.7 per cent.

On election night former premier Jim Prentice, who had been re-elected in Calgary-Foothills, announced he was stepping down as leader of the provincial PCs and would not continue to serve as an MLA. The Party has selected Rick Mclver (Calgary-Hays) as interim leader. A by-election will be held to fill the vacancy in the Calgary-Foothills constituency within six months.

On May 22, 2015, the size of the ND caucus was reduced when Deborah Drever (Calgary-Bow) was suspended from caucus for controversial social media posts. Ms. Drever is now sitting as an independent Member, leaving the ND caucus with 53 Members.

New Cabinet

On May 24, 2015, Premier Notley and 11 other Members were sworn into Cabinet on the steps of the Legislature Building. With an even gender balance of six women and six men, this new Cabinet is significantly smaller than other recent Cabinets. Instead of reorganizing government departments many of the new Cabinet Ministers are responsible for overseeing multiple departments. In addition to her role as Premier and President of Executive Council, Ms. Notley is the Minister responsible for International and Intergovernmental Relations. The other 11 Ministers have been assigned the following portfolios:

Brian Mason (Edmonton-Highlands-Norwood) Transportation; Infrastructure; and Government House Leader

David Eggen (Edmonton-Calder) Education; Culture and Tourism

Deron Bilous (Edmonton-Beverly-Clareview) Municipal Affairs; Service Alberta; Deputy Government House Leader

Joe Ceci (Calgary-Fort) Treasury Board; Finance

Marg McCuaig-Boyd (Dunvegan-Central Peace-Notley) Energy

Sarah Hoffman (Edmonton-Glenora) Health; Seniors

Kathleen Ganley (Calgary-Buffalo) Justice and Solicitor General; Aboriginal Relations

Lori...