Large MLA Turnover Anticipated in 2023 Provincial Election
We are quickly approaching the final 100 days before Albertans return to the polls on May 29th to decide who will form government in the province’s 31st Legislature. Both the United Conservatives and New Democrats have been working to wrap up their outstanding nominations throughout the province. At the time of writing, the UCP have nominated 54 candidates while the NDP are sitting at 69 names on the ballot.
Interestingly, the Green Party currently occupies the bronze position on the nomination podium with 28 candidates selected. The Alberta Party has only nominated 5 individuals at this time.
Of course, it is always anticipated that there will be some level of change over in the Legislature after an election as it would be near impossible to elect consecutive rosters. That’s just the nature of democracy. While we are not in a position to predict who may win or lose their seat in the upcoming provincial election, we have been following along to see who will be stepping away from politics once the dust settles this spring.
For this article, we will be focusing on those who have publicly announced that they will not be seeking re-election at the time of writing. Jason Kenney, Michaela Frey, Doug Schweitzer, and Laila Goodridge have already resigned their seats and found new work, so we will not be discussing them here. The same will apply to MLAs David Hanson, Chris Nielsen, and Tany Yao who lost their local nominations but have yet to indicate whether they will run as independents or in a different riding. Leela Aheer and Drew Barnes have also indicated she will not run again for the UCP but has not ruled out re-election as an independent.
United Conservatives
Tracy Allard (Grande Prairie)
The former Minister of Municipal Affairs has recently announced that she will not be seeking re-election in 2023. Earlier this month, MLA Allard shared that she received a Parkinson’s disease diagnosis in March 2020. In a statement, she indicated that the management of the disease is not conducive to the “lifestyle and demands placed on an MLA.”
“I want to wish the next MLA every success. Whoever is chosen by Grande Prairie will be so fortunate to represent our remarkable community. A city full of innovators, entrepreneurs, thought leaders and community builders. It is a ‘can do’ place with a generous spirit and unparalleled resiliency and I have been so proud to represent the people of Grande Prairie.”
Richard Gotfried (Calgary – Fish Creek)
First elected as a Progressive Conservative MLA in 2015, Gotfried is one of a number of UCP MLAs who will be leaving provincial politics this spring. In opposition, he served in a number of critic roles, including Seniors and Housing, International and Government Relations, as well as Economic Development and Trade. He also served as the House Leader for a period in 2017. Additionally, he served as the UCP Calgary Caucus Chair until his resignation in the summer of 2022.
“I have endeavoured (to serve) with an unwavering commitment to my constituents, and indeed all Albertans, with principled, ethical, outspoken, accessible and responsive representation…It has not always been easy, but these commitments reflect the person I will always strive to be before, during and after politics.”
Ron Orr (Lacombe – Ponoka)
The Wildrose turned UCP MLA for Lacombe – Ponoka will be departing provincial politics once the election concludes. He spent many years serving as the shadow minister and critic for Culture and Tourism, eventually becoming Minister of Culture in 2021 until Premier Danielle Smith restructured her cabinet this past fall.
“I think it’s time for somebody younger to do it. There are too many leaders who don’t know their own best before date, and I want to retire while I’m still on top and doing good…I believe there are good times ahead of us. Though I’m looking forward to retiring, meaning I can go canoeing, do more woodworking, and spend more time with family, I do plan to finish well. I don’t like to burn bridges and so the next several months will be focused on my constituency.
Pat Rehn (Lesser Slave Lake)
MLA Rehn has decided that one term in office is all he wishes to serve. The representative for Lesser Slave Lake was ejected from the UCP Caucus in early 2021 following the COVID-19 travel scandal and numerous complaints from municipal officials that he was not providing adequate representation. He was eventually returned to the party caucus later that year.
"I have the utmost confidence that Lesser Slave Lake will continue to be excellently represented in our provincial assembly by a fresh voice who brings a unique perspective to representing the people of this lovely place."
Roger Reid (Livingstone – Macleod)
Like MLA Rehn, MLA Reid will only serve one term in the Legislature. The deputy chair of committees was expected to face Danielle Smith in the riding’s nomination until she stepped in to replace MLA Frey in Brooks – Medicine Hat.
“The last couple of years have been particularly challenging for our province. Neither I, nor our government have been perfect, but I believe the work we have done has put Alberta back on track. We are stronger and in a better position to weather the current storms than we were four years ago.”
Brad Rutherford (Leduc – Beaumont)
The government whip for the UCP deciding not to seek re-election came as somewhat of a surprise. Currently serving as a minister without portfolio, Rutherford also served as the deputy whip before his June 2022 promotion. He was also the military liaison.
“I am very proud of the work our government has done to implement our platform, balance the budget and restore jobs and investment. The economy is growing, and although there are always challenges, I am optimistic about the future.”
Mark Smith (Drayton Valley – Devon)
Another former Wildrose MLA will be stepping away this spring. During a rally with Finance Minister Travis Toews in his riding in September, he announced he will not return to the Legislature. The former social studies teacher served as the opposition critic for education as well as seniors, housing, and mental health after winning his first election in 2015.
New Democrats
Deron Bilous (Edmonton – Beverly – Clareview)
One of the current longest serving MLAs will be hanging up his political skates this spring. First elected in 2012, Bilous has served in thirteen different critic roles from 2012-2015 and 2019-2023. He serves as the party’s whip before winning the 2015 election, at which time he spent time as Minister of Service Alberta, Municipal Affairs, and Economic Development and Trade.
“During our time in government, I was proud to implement programs and policies to diversify our economy and create good jobs. This includes growing trade with Asia by almost $2 billion, supporting petrochemical development in the province, and introducing tax credits for the tech sector.”
Jon Carson (Edmonton – West Henday)
The opposition critic for Service Alberta has also decided to depart from the Legislature. He was first elected in 2015 under the NDP banner. When he was elected, he was one of the youngest MLAs in the house.
“I want you all to know I have taken something from every conversation, every handshake, every phone call, school visit, community league AGM, parent council meeting, and more. These moments have ALL made me a better representative for Albertans and more than that, a better person.”
Richard Feehan (Edmonton – Rutherford)
After first winning a seat in 2015, Feehan was made the deputy chair of committees for the NDP government until he was appointed as the party’s Minister of Indigenous Relations in 2016. In government, he also served as the deputy house leader from 2017 until the end of the term. In opposition, he has served as the Indigenous Relations critic.
"I believe that we were able to accomplish many significant achievements during my tenure (as minister). I am saddened, however, that the current government has let many of these programs dwindle and close, and have failed to truly commit to the Truth and Reconciliation process.”
Independents
Thomas Dang (Edmonton – South)
The youngest MLA in Alberta’s history will be departing politics this spring. He was first elected in 2015 and served as opposition critic for infrastructure and democracy and ethics in his second term. He was also appointed as the deputy house leader for the NDP before being removed from the caucus for his role in hacking Alberta’s vaccination records website (for which he was recently charged and fined).
“Given the lengthy nature of the investigation and proceedings into my actions related to the security test I performed on the Government of Alberta’s COVID-19 Vaccination Records website, I believe my continued candidacy for the Alberta NDP distracts from the important work ahead.”
