Former Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi running for leader of Alberta NDP

Former Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi is officially running to be the next leader of Alberta’s NDP.

The three-term mayor, who previously had no public political party affiliation, said in an announcement Monday the province is in need of a new government “as soon as possible,” and that requires beating the UCP’s Premier Danielle Smith.

Nenshi has known the now-premier for 30 years.

“I know who she was and I know what she’ll become,” he said of Smith. “I know how to get under her skin.”

He called Alberta’s government “incompetent,” “immoral,” and “dangerous” saying they only know how to do two things — pick fights and waste money.

“If we want a better Alberta, if we believe that as Alberta grows, as we welcome more people here, we have got to have strong public services, we have to have an economy that builds prosperity for everyone, and we have to protect the environment, then it’s time to change out this government,” Nenshi told CityNews. “I hope that I can be your leader to do that.”

Speculation has been building since mid-January, when Rachel Notley said she would be stepping down as leader of the Official Opposition after a decade at the party’s head.

The race is starting to get crowded — Calgary MLA and energy critic Kathleen Ganley was the first to throw her hat in the ring, followed by Edmonton MLAs Rakhi Pancholi, Sarah Hoffman, and Jodi Calahoo Stonehouse, and — most recently — Alberta Federation of Labour president Gil McGowan.

Nenshi says the names on the ballot are those of great politicians.

“I’m really excited about the slate of candidates in the race right now, in particular, four brilliant, competent women running for this party,” he said.

Up to and in the wake of the NDP’s loss to the UCP in the 2023 provincial election, some called for a rebranding of the party. Nenshi says he’s not going to be the person to do that.

“I want to be clear, I don’t intend to take over this party. This party does not need a savior or saving. The ‘N’ in NDP shouldn’t stand for Nenshi or Naheed,” he said. “What we need to do is build on the incredible strengths of this party, the hard work that so many people have done to build it already, and invite more people into the house.”

Mount Royal University political scientist Lori Williams tells CityNews Nenshi is a strong contender who ranks up there with Notley and explains he has the skills and the brand to generate a lot more attention and excitement to the race.

“He has those skills to bring folks together and to raise the profile of the NDP, not just provincially, but nationally, and even internationally,” she said.

Having been in municipal politics for more than a decade, the candidate is aware he’s made some mistakes.

“It is certainly true that having been in public service for 11 years, having served the public for 11 years, comes with some baggage, but I will say that I am very very happy to take my little carry on suitcase and compare it to Danielle Smith’s elephant steamer trunk of baggage, any day, and twice on Saturdays,” Nenshi said.

Nenshi had kind words for the outgoing leader, saying Notley built the party up in a way that no one could have imagined, calling her a politician of “rare skill.”

Known for his staple colour — purple — the leadership hopeful says he’s ready for a new colour, while embracing the values of the old one.

“I think I look pretty good in orange,” he said. “The purple reminds us that we don’t define ourselves by our tribes, by whether we’re red or whether we’re blue. We define ourselves by our common humanity.”

Williams says having not strewn to one side or the other could prove to be an advantage for Nenshi, but it won’t necessarily make it easier.

“Naheed Nenshi has always defined himself as purple — not orange or blue — he has the capacity to unite folks that have a lot of differences and should he become leader he’s going to have to unite those who are more dyed in the wool NDP-types and those who are looking for an alternative to the United Conservative Party and of course, many of those would be conservative,” she said.

The deadline for candidate registration is Friday, March 15.

Voting for a new leader begins May 22, with results expected June 22.

-With files from Henna Saeed