Achi news desk-
The first debate in Alberta’s NDP leadership race was mostly a civil affair Thursday but it wasn’t all smooth sailing for former Calgary mayor Naheed Nenshi.
Nearly 500 people came to the Yates Theater in Lethbridge to hear Nenshi, three current NDP members of the legislature: Kathleen Ganley of Calgary and Edmonton representatives Sarah Hoffman and Jodi Calahoo Stonehouse as well as Alberta Federation of Labor President Gil McGowan .
Hoffman, the former health minister and deputy prime minister, referred to Nenshi when she said she was “unapologetic” about being a New Democrat.
“Let’s elect a New Democrat as leader of the NDP,” he said.
He then referred to Nenshi’s suggestion that the Alberta and federal NDP cut ties.
“A lot of people like to build walls and blame Danielle Smith for building walls but there is someone on this stage who wants to build a wall with the federal party – that is dangerous,” he said.
He later defended his comments.
“I want to tell the truth. I want everyone on that stage to tell the truth and be open about their plans,” he said.
“Anyone who wants to lead this party should not be afraid to be bold and be brave.”
McGowan saved his criticism of Nenshi for after the debate was over. He had pointed out in the debate that the party needed to be more Tim Hortons than Starbucks and to reach out to working class voters. He added that the party has a reputation as being elitist and full of over-educated people who look down on those outside the big cities.
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“Naheed Nenshi, I love the guy and he was a great mayor, but he’s kind of the living, breathing embodiment of that negative stereotype of New Democrats being sanctimonious, over-educated, urban people who looking down their noses at people and people who work. in rural Alberta,” McGowan told reporters.
“Is Naheed Nenshi really an asset or a liability?”
Nenshi, 52, was elected mayor of Calgary in 2010 and won three terms before deciding to bow out ahead of the 2021 municipal election. He said the candidates have a lot of respect for each other and their ideas.
“We’ve been doing this for the last five or six weeks and we’re starting to sound alike,” he joked as the debate dealt with health care, environmental and indigenous issues.
He downplayed critical comments he says were just made for TV, but acknowledges not everyone is happy he’s an outsider.
“Sometimes a newcomer to the dinner table can help identify some of the problems in the family. I want to be very clear. This party does not need a savior. This is not a takeover,” he said.
“The N in NDP should no more stand for Naheed’s Democratic Party than it did for Notley’s Democratic Party.”
Ganley outlined her economic policies during the debate and praised the other candidates.
“Any of us at this stage would be in a better position to do a better job than the UCP is doing at the moment.”
Lori Williams, a professor of political science at Calgary’s Mount Royal University, had expected that sniping would be kept to a minimum.
“Negativity turns people off,” he said.
“It’s a delicate balance in a leadership debate because you want to be supportive of the party and supportive of whoever becomes leader. You don’t want to kneel them down so they can’t serve effectively … but at the same time you have to differentiate yourself.”
Incumbent leader Rachel Notley announced in January her plan to step down after a decade at the helm of the provincial New Democrats. She is staying on as leader until the June leadership vote.
The NDP’s loss in the May 2023 election was the second in a row under Notley.
The next debate will be in Calgary in May and a third is scheduled for Edmonton in June.
& copy 2024 The Canadian Press
