MARSDEN: Let’s hope we haven’t seen the last of Rachel Notley

David Marsden is a Calgary writer and editorRachel Notley turned Alberta politics on its head. And she may yet have a hand in federal politics or tackle other challenges.The former premier announced Thursday that she’ll resign her seat in Edmonton-Strathcona after almost 17 years, marking the closing of one chapter in the province’s politics and the opening of another.No doubt some Albertans — most of them union members — look back wistfully at Notley’s term as premier between 2015 and 2019. Many other Albertans will be happy to see her go.Her accomplishments are significant. She built the party from nothing to something. The Alberta NDP’s gains in popularity are all to her credit. She is affable, intelligent and well spoken. Notley is quick with a quip, a quote and a smile. She deserves the acknowledgement of all Albertans that she removed the conservative stranglehold on government power and offered an attractive alternative.What will Notley do now? She says she has no interest in municipal or federal politics. She is a little old at age 60 to be appointed to the Senate, and besides, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will soon be shown the door and he appointed three Alberta senators just a few months ago; one of them a poor choice.Despite Notley saying she won’t seek office at the federal level, never say never. She is a valuable asset to the NDP — it is a single party that operates provincially and federally — and she is certain to be courted by party insiders. It may be happening as we speak.The current federal NDP leader, Jasmit Singh, has damaged his party’s prospects by aligning himself too closely to the unpopular Liberals. Any credit the NDP expects by putting Canadians into greater debt is wasted: the Liberals will take any credit they can for the mismanagement of public finances.The NDP is lucky to have Notley. She has never wavered from the party’s roots and is a keeper. Her lineage is impeccable. Her father, Grant Notley, was NDP leader from 1968 to 1984. It doesn’t get any better than that, unless you are Tommy Douglas’s grandson. But’s Kiefer Sutherland has gone into acting, luckily for us.One time, when visiting a Red Deer newspaper in 2019, Notley playfully tossed a stuffy into the air for a staged photograph. The city hosted the Canada Winter Games that year and she was happy to toy with the event’s mascot.There was no pretence. No ego. Just fun. She promised to expand funding for the Red Deer Hospital, a project that has still not been taken on with enthusiasm by the United Conservatives.Notley’s future is in her own hands, of course. Her experience, intellect and passion should be invited by anyone. Much like former NDP Manitoba premier Gary Doer, who served as ambassador to the United United, she’s a star on any team.There’s also Bob Rae, former NDP premier of Ontario, who serves as Canada’s ambassador to the United Nations. (But he’s a dud. Perhaps New Democrats, with their idealism, are better suited for diplomacy than reality.)It should be expected that current Alberta NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi will run in the vacancy Notley has created. Sitting on the sidelines is of no use. The former Calgary mayor might as well be talking to himself in his house, if he doesn’t want a place in the big house.Premier Danielle Smith represents Brooks-Medicine Hat, but lives in High River, 289 kilometres away. Nenshi representing an Edmonton riding 295 kilometres away from his home in Calgary would not be a hardship. Just like Smith, his decision to take a riskless walk into the legislature would reflect pragmatism and opportunism. It’s the way politics has always worked.If he chooses to run, Smith should call a byelection as quickly as possible. It’s tradition and reflects Albertans’ values of fairness.Albertans should be grateful for Rachel Notley, but no one should be as thankful as Nenshi. He has a pathway to influence. Let’s hope he seizes the chance with passion and vigour — like his predecessor did.David Marsden is a Calgary writer and editor.

MARSDEN: Let’s hope we haven’t seen the last of Rachel Notley

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