Lethbridge-West MLA Shannon Phillips has weighed in on Naheed Nenshi becoming the new leader of the Alberta NDP. (Photo: Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko

New Alberta NDP leader Nenshi brings ‘hope’: Shannon Phillips

Jun 25, 2024 | 8:58 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – The outgoing MLA for Lethbridge-West is reacting to what she feels will be a bright, new era for the Alberta NDP.

Shannon Phillips says she welcomes Naheed Nenshi as the party’s leader.

The former mayor of Calgary was elected by the NDP’s membership on Saturday in a landslide victory, capturing roughly 86 per cent of 85,000 ballots cast.

READ MORE: Former Calgary mayor Naheed Nenshi named new leader of Alberta NDP

Phillips called it a “historic vote where a historic number of people participated,” adding that the Alberta NDP is now the biggest it has ever been.

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She attributes a portion of that to Nenshi.

“He ran an incredible campaign and his message of being able to beat [Premier] Danielle Smith, which I think is entirely correct, really resonated with folks,” says Phillips. “There was a tremendous amount of excitement around the race.”

Phillips described Nenshi as “extremely articulate” and bringing hope and optimism for those who are worried about the current state of affairs in Alberta.

She believes he also did well due to his policy positions, including healthcare funding and opposing the proposed exit from the Canada Pension Plan.

“I know that, down south here in Alberta, he took a clear position on saying no to coal mining in the eastern slopes and people really resonated with that message too,” says Phillips.

Although Phillips served as the co-chair for one of Nenshi’s leadership rivals, Kathleen Ganley, she tells LNN that there was such a strong field of candidates that she would have been happy with whomever won.

Phillips announced earlier this month that she would be resigning as the MLA for Lethbridge-West effective July 1. Even though she will not be able to serve directly under Nenshi’s leadership, she assures that she will continue to be involved with the Alberta NDP in different capacities going forward.

READ MORE: Shannon Phillips resigns as Lethbridge-West MLA

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