Rachel Notley MLA is a Canadian politician, served as the 17th premier of Alberta from 2015 to 2019 and has held the position of Opposition leader since 2019.
Bio/Wiki
Age-59 years
Full name-Rachel Anne Notley
Height- 5 feet 6 inches
Weight-54 kg
Born-17 April 1964
Birthplace-Edmonton, Canada
Spouse-Lou Arab
Profession-Politician, Leader of the Opposition of Alberta
Party-Alberta New Democratic Party
Office-Leader of the Opposition of Alberta since 2019
Nationality-Canadian
Family
Rachel Notley’s parents are Grant Notley and Sandra Mary Wilkinson. Her father died on October 19, 1984. She has two siblings, Paul Notley and Stephen Notley, the latter being known as the author and illustrator of “Bob the Angry Flower.”
Husband
Her husband’s name is Lou Arab, serving as a communications representative for the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) and contributing as a campaign strategist for the party.
Children
They share two children together, named Ethan Notley and Sophie Arab.
Education
Notley obtained a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Political Science from the University of Alberta and pursued her law degree at Osgoode Hall Law School. During her time at Osgoode Hall, she actively participated in the 1989 federal NDP leadership convention, endorsing the second-place finisher and former BC premier, Dave Barrett.
Career
She followed the path of her late father, Grant Notley, who served as an NDP leader and was the party’s sole MLA for 11 years during the 1970s and early 1980s.
In 1991, Notley spearheaded the election-planning subcommittee for the Alberta NDP, yet the party faced defeat in the 1993 provincial election, resulting in exclusion from the legislature. After Pam Barrett’s resignation in 2000, Notley re-entered Alberta provincial politics, supporting Brian Mason in retaining the Edmonton-Highlands seat. Nominated by acclamation in October 2006 as the Alberta NDP candidate for Edmonton-Strathcona, she secured re-election in the 2012 provincial election.
Notley’s first leadership test came in the May 5, 2015 provincial election, leading to her swearing in as the 17th premier of Alberta on May 24, 2015. Despite initial successes, the Opposition Wildrose Party and Progressive Conservative Association of Alberta considered uniting, leading to the formation of the United Conservative Party (UCP) in 2017.
In the 2019 provincial election, the UCP secured a majority, and although the NDP retained most Edmonton seats, significant losses in Calgary and rural Alberta relegated them to Official Opposition status. Notley pledged to continue as Leader of the Opposition, marking the first time a governing party in Alberta was defeated after a single term.
In December 2019, Notley expressed her intention to lead the Alberta NDP into the May 2023 general election. Despite the NDP’s caucus growth in the election, they were defeated by the UCP, led by Danielle Smith. On January 16, 2024, Notley announced her plan to step down as leader of the Alberta NDP, remaining in the position until a successor is elected.
Net Worth
Rachel Notley’s estimated net worth is approximately $5 million.
Rachel Notley Resigns
Alberta NDP Leader Set to Step Down After Election Setback
Former Alberta premier Rachel Notley has announced her decision to step down as the provincial NDP leader, a position she has held for nearly a decade. Standing alongside her husband and two adult children at a news conference in Edmonton, Notley cited the NDP’s failure to secure victory in Alberta’s 2023 election as the reason for her resignation.
Expressing her commitment to providing Alberta voters with a credible progressive alternative, the 59-year-old emphasized the importance of maintaining a multi-party system in the province. Notley, who currently holds the title of the longest-serving Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) in Alberta, will continue to represent the Edmonton-Strathcona riding, a role she has held since her initial election in 2008.
Notley, visibly moved, shared that her decision to stay in opposition was motivated by a desire to ensure that Albertans always have a meaningful choice in determining the direction of their province.
Her dedication to public service, inspired by her late father, Grant Notley, who also served as an NDP leader and the party’s sole MLA for 11 years in the 1970s and early 1980s, was evident as she struggled to hold back tears during the announcement.
“I wish they could have been here to see some of what we’ve all been able to accomplish together,” she said.
