Rachel Notley

Early life, education, and family

Rachel Anne Notley was born on April 17, 1964, in Edmonton, Alberta, making her the first Alberta premier to be born in the provincial capital. She was raised outside the town of Fairview, Alberta, the daughter of Sandra Mary Wilkinson and Grant Notley, the longtime leader of the Alberta New Democratic Party. Her mother, a devout Anglican born in Concord, Massachusetts, moved to Alberta as an adult. Notley's father died in a plane crash on October 19, 1984, when she was a twenty year old political science undergraduate at the University of Alberta. She learned of the crash in a phone call from her father's executive assistant, Tom Sigurdson. Notley earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Alberta and subsequently a law degree from Osgoode Hall Law School in Toronto. While at Osgoode Hall, she became active in the 1989 federal NDP leadership convention, endorsing second place finisher and former BC premier Dave Barrett.

Labour law career and activism

After law school, Rachel Notley's professional career was dedicated to labour law and workers' advocacy. She articled for Edmonton labour lawyer Bob Blakely and then worked for the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees, representing members with workers' compensation cases. In 1994, she moved to Vancouver, British Columbia, taking a position as the occupational health and safety officer for the Health Sciences Association of BC. During her time in BC, she served for one year as a ministerial assistant to Attorney General Ujjal Dosanjh, working on the team that expanded the application of the province's family relations laws to same sex couples. Notley also acted as a representative of the provincial labour movement in the negotiation and drafting of new workplace health and safety standards. Her community activism in Vancouver included work with Moms on the Move, an organization advocating for the rights of special needs children, and she served as a past board member of Vancouver Community College. Notley returned to Edmonton in 2002, where her subsequent roles included work for the National Union of Public and General Employees, a position at Athabasca University, volunteer coordination for the Friends of Medicare Romanow Now campaign, and finally as a labour relations officer for the United Nurses of Alberta. In 2006, she did volunteer work with the Strathcona Community League, assisting a drive to garner support for installing sidewalks in east Strathcona.

Entry into politics and path to leadership

Rachel Notley's political involvement began behind the scenes before her eventual election. In 1991, she led the election planning subcommittee for the Alberta NDP ahead of the 1993 provincial election, which saw the party shut out of the legislature. She re entered provincial politics in 2000 following the resignation of leader Pam Barrett, travelling to Edmonton to assist Brian Mason in retaining the seat of Edmonton Highlands for the NDP. Her own electoral opportunity came in October 2006 when she was nominated by acclamation as the Alberta NDP candidate for Edmonton Strathcona, succeeding former party leader Raj Pannu. The nomination event was attended by federal NDP leader Jack Layton. Notley was subsequently elected as an MLA in the 2008 provincial election and was re elected in 2012. On October 18, 2014, she won the leadership of the Alberta New Democratic Party on the first ballot with 70 percent support, defeating fellow MLA David Eggen and union leader Rod Loyola to succeed Brian Mason as the party's ninth leader. In addition to serving as party leader, Notley was critic for the following portfolios.

• Health
• International and Intergovernmental Relations
• Status of Women
• Justice
• Executive Council

The 2015 election: A historic victory

The 2015 provincial election, called by Progressive Conservative Premier Jim Prentice for May 5, became Rachel Notley's defining leadership test. Prentice's government had revealed a budget that cut social spending and raised taxes, while keeping corporate taxes low. Initially, most pundits expected the PCs to win a thirteenth consecutive majority, with some speculating the NDP might form the official opposition. By the middle of the campaign, however, pollsters began predicting a three way race between the PCs, the NDP, and the Wildrose Party. Notley capitalized on the unpopular budget, promising to raise corporate taxes and roll back fees and cuts. The sole televised leaders' debate was a turning point, with Notley widely viewed as having the best performance. Prentice drew criticism for a remark to Notley, 'I know math is difficult,' referencing a miscalculation in a proposed NDP budget, which was seen as patronizing. In the final week, the NDP emerged as the frontrunner. On election night, the party won 54 seats, forming a majority government. The victory ended 44 consecutive years of Progressive Conservative government in Alberta, the longest unbroken run at the provincial level in Canada. Notley later recounted that upon seeing a credible poll showing the NDP poised to win a majority, she dropped her whirlwind campaign schedule to prepare for the transition to government.

Premiership: Key policy areas and legislation

Rachel Notley was sworn in as premier on May 24, 2015, with a small twelve member cabinet, the smallest in the country at the time. Her government's first throne speech on June 15, 2015, outlined a sweeping agenda, including legislation to ban corporate and union donations to political parties and to increase taxes on large corporations and high income earners, ending the flat tax implemented under Premier Ralph Klein. The government established a seventeen member all party committee to improve government accountability in areas like whistleblower protection and electioneering. It also reached across the aisle to work with Wildrose leader Brian Jean on the committee and tasked Liberal leader David Swann with helping conduct a review of provincial mental health policy alongside NDP MLA Danielle Larivee. Major policy initiatives under Premier Rachel Notley included the introduction of an economy-wide carbon price and a cap on oil sands emissions as part of Alberta's updated climate change strategy. Her government phased out corporate and union donations to political parties and increased taxes on large corporations and high-income earners. Legislative acts included Bill 9 to create buffer zones around abortion clinics and Bill 24 to protect the anonymity of students in gay-straight alliances. Other significant initiatives were a public apology to Alberta's Aboriginal communities, the creation of the Birch River Wildland Provincial Park, and the expansion of affordable childcare through a $25 per day pilot project.

• Climate Leadership Plan (November 2015): Introduced an economy wide carbon price starting in 2017, a cap on oil sands emissions, a phase out of coal fired electricity by 2030, and a goal to cut methane emissions in half. In November 2016, $1.4 billion was paid to compensate three major power producers to expedite the transition from coal.
• Fair and Family friendly Workplaces Act (Bill 17, 2018): Overhauled Alberta's labour laws for the first time in three decades.
• Minimum Wage Increase: Raised incrementally from $10.20 per hour in 2015 to $15.00 per hour in 2018.
• Bill 9 (2018): Created 50 metre buffer zones around abortion clinics to prevent harassment.
• Bill 24: Protected the anonymity of students in gay straight alliance clubs and banned conversion therapy.
• Child Care: Launched a pilot for $25 per day childcare, later expanded with federal and provincial funding to add capacity for 6,000 additional children and 100 new centres.
• Bill 26 (2019): Enacted measures to combat poverty, linking benefits for seniors and AISH recipients to the consumer price index.
• A Better Deal for Consumers and Businesses Act (Bill 31, 2017): Enhanced consumer protections.

In Indigenous relations, Notley issued a formal apology on June 22, 2015, for the province's historical neglect, particularly regarding residential schools. Her 2017 budget included $100 million to upgrade water facilities for First Nations communities. In 2018, her government sold 150 hectares of land to the Fort McKay Métis for $1.6 million in a precedent setting deal. On the environment, beyond the climate plan, her government budgeted $235 million in 2017 for the Orphan Well Association to reclaim abandoned sites and helped create the 3,330 square kilometre Birch River Wildland Provincial Park, the world's largest protected area of boreal forest, with a $2.3 million contribution from Syncrude. In response to an oil price crisis and a bottleneck in transportation, her government announced production curtailments in December 2018, which took effect in January 2019 under the Oil and Gas Conservation Act, with the Alberta Energy Regulator monitoring the program.

Electoral results and opposition leadership

Following the historic 2015 win, Rachel Notley led the Alberta NDP into two subsequent general elections. In the 2019 provincial election, her government was defeated by Jason Kenney's United Conservative Party, and Notley became the Leader of the Opposition. She led the party again in the 2023 provincial election, where the NDP made significant gains but failed to form government, and she continued as Opposition leader. On January 16, 2024, she announced her intention to step down as party leader but remained in the role until a successor was elected. The leadership transition occurred on June 22, 2024, when she was succeeded by Naheed Nenshi. Two days later, on June 24, Christina Gray succeeded her as Leader of the Opposition in the legislature. Notley announced her resignation as the MLA for Edmonton Strathcona on December 12, 2024, effective December 30, concluding her legislative career of sixteen years.

Post political career and the 2026 referendum campaign

After resigning from the legislature in late 2024, Rachel Notley returned to her professional roots, practising labour law. In 2026, she re entered the public spotlight in a remarkable political alliance, joining forces with her former rival, former premier Jason Kenney, to campaign for Alberta to remain in Canada during a provincial referendum. The two headlined an Edmonton Chamber of Commerce luncheon on October 13, 2026, urging Albertans to vote for 'Option One' on the tenth and most contentious referendum question, which asked whether the province should remain in Canada or begin the process for a binding secession vote. Notley expressed deep skepticism about Premier Danielle Smith's commitment to remaining in Canada and encouraged voters to reject the other nine questions on constitutional and immigration reform. She and Kenney argued that secession would make Alberta an unreliable place for investment and harm the provincial economy. Notley stated that their shared patriotism and commitment to Canada's greatness transcended their political differences, emphasizing the high stakes of the vote. She noted that the United Conservative Party was founded on a merger agreement that included loyalty to a united Canada, a point Kenney also emphasized during their joint appearances.

Personal life and influences

Rachel Notley married Lou Arab, a communications representative for the Canadian Union of Public Employees and a campaign strategist, in August 1997. The wedding ceremony was conducted by Tim Stevenson on Indian Arm in British Columbia. She lives with her husband and their two children in the historic Old Strathcona district of south central Edmonton. Notley has cited several key influences on her political life, including her high school social studies teacher Jim Clevette, who fostered her interest in politics. She has described federal NDP leader Jack Layton as a personal hero. Her own political style was shaped early, as evidenced by her challenging her father at a public meeting as a college student, asking for advice for a poor student whose parents made too much for a loan but gave too little for food. Notley is a cyclist, jogger, and skier, and is a reformed smoker. She held her first caucus meeting as premier designate on May 9, 2015, and shortly after announced she would retain the previous head of the Alberta public service, Richard Dicerni, while appointing NDP strategists Brian Topp and Adrienne King as her chief and deputy chief of staff.

Questions about Rachel Notley

What did Rachel Notley do as premier of Alberta?

As premier from 2015 to 2019, Rachel Notley's government implemented a wide ranging policy agenda. Key initiatives included introducing a carbon pricing system and a plan to phase out coal fired electricity, raising the minimum wage to $15 per hour, and overhauling provincial labour laws. Her government banned corporate and union political donations, increased taxes on high income earners, and enacted social reforms such as creating buffer zones around abortion clinics and protecting LGBTQ students in schools. The government also issued an apology for the province's historical neglect of Indigenous peoples and invested in childcare, healthcare, and orphan well cleanup.

When did Rachel Notley resign as Alberta NDP leader?

Rachel Notley announced her plans to step down as leader of the Alberta New Democratic Party on January 16, 2024. She remained in the role until a leadership election was held. On June 22, 2024, she was succeeded as party leader by Naheed Nenshi. Two days later, on June 24, Christina Gray succeeded her as the Leader of the Opposition in the Alberta legislature.

How long was Rachel Notley the premier of Alberta?

Rachel Notley served as the 17th premier of Alberta from May 24, 2015, to April 30, 2019. Her tenure lasted for four years, beginning after her party's majority victory in the 2015 provincial election. Her premiership concluded following the defeat of her New Democratic Party government by the United Conservative Party in the 2019 provincial election. This ended the NDP's time in government.

What is Rachel Notley doing now after politics?

After resigning as an MLA effective December 30, 2024, Rachel Notley returned to practising labour law, the field she worked in before entering politics. In 2026, she joined former premier Jason Kenney to campaign for Alberta to remain in Canada during a provincial referendum on independence. This marked her return to public advocacy following her political career. Her post-political activities have therefore included both her professional legal work and specific public campaigns.

Who is Rachel Notley's father?

Rachel Notley's father was Grant Notley, who was the leader of the Alberta New Democratic Party and a Member of the Legislative Assembly. He died in a plane crash on October 19, 1984, when Rachel Notley was a twenty-year-old undergraduate student. A day after her election as Alberta NDP leader on October 18, 2014, she led the 30th anniversary memorial of his death. His political career and tragic death were significant influences on her own life and path into public service.

What riding did Rachel Notley represent?

Rachel Notley represented the provincial electoral district of Edmonton Strathcona in the Legislative Assembly of Alberta. She was first elected as its MLA in the 2008 provincial election, succeeding former Alberta NDP leader Raj Pannu. Notley held this seat through subsequent elections in 2012, 2015, 2019, and 2023. Her service as the MLA for Edmonton Strathcona spanned from 2008 until her resignation took effect on December 30, 2024.

Sources and further reading

• Rachel Notley (Wikipedia)
• 2026 Referendum: Notley, Kenney join forces to oppose ... (townandcountrytoday.com)
• Former political rivals Notley and Kenney to… (nationalnewswatch.com)

Checked by the Nosy Mag desk. Last updated 2026-10-22.