4 candidates shrug off suggestion Nenshi has Alberta's NDP leadership in the bag
Despite Edmonton MLA Rakhi Pancholi's insistence Naheed Nenshi is front-running the race to lead Alberta's NDP, the other four candidates tell CTV News they're confident nothing has been decided yet.
"I think it's premature to position Nenshi as the head leader in this race," Jodi Calahoo Stonehouse said Tuesday.
"This is my life's work, and I'm committed to seeing it to the end."
The current MLA says her "progressive position around water" sets her ahead of the pack.
"It's Alberta's most precious resource, and we need to be strategically protecting it to ensure the next generation has the water they need, as well as industry," Calahoo Stonehouse said.
"It really is the basis of our economic diversification."
Another Edmonton MLA, Sarah Hoffman, said Tuesday she's "never felt better" about her campaign.
"My three big pillars are health care, climate change and housing, and there are a lot of people who are really happy to have a leader of the NDP and a premier who's going to take serious action on those things," Hoffman said.
"I'm staying in it, I'm going to be in it at the end and I'm going to win this campaign."
Fellow MLA Kathleen Ganley has also been a popular choice amongst Alberta voters in the past.
She brushed aside any talk of Nenshi winning the race a few months early on Tuesday.
"I'm going to stay focused on our offer to Albertans," Ganley said.
"What we know is that we're selling thousands of memberships and we have people coming forward every day to support the campaign. So, I'm really excited."
Ganley has been banging the economic drum since the first day of her campaign.
She wants to "stimulate job creation, support local business and foster innovation," while helping everyday Albertans with their finances.
She'll be challenged by Alberta Federation of Labour president Gil McGowan.
"I represent the working party," McGowan said Tuesday.
"(And) I fundamentally disagree with (Pancholi) that this is a done deal."
McGowan took aim at Nenshi on Tuesday.
"Frankly, I don't think it's good enough from the perspective of most Albertans to say 'I’m a nice guy, I'm a celebrity, support me.'"
The window to buy Alberta NDP memberships closes on April 22.
Rachel Notley's successor will be chosen two months later, on June 22.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canada's most wanted fugitive arrested in P.E.I. in connection with Toronto homicide
A suspect in a fatal shooting in Toronto’s east end last summer has been arrested in Charlottetown, just one week after he topped a list of Canada’s most wanted fugitives.
Poilievre unrepentant over calling Trudeau 'wacko' as his MPs say Speaker should resign
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre says he does not regret calling Prime Minister Justin Trudeau 'wacko,' and now his MPs are renewing calls for the House of Commons Speaker to resign, this time over ordering the Official Opposition leader to leave the chamber.
Wisconsin school district says active shooter 'neutralized' outside middle school
A Wisconsin school district said an active shooter was 'neutralized' outside a middle school in Mount Horeb on Wednesday, and no one inside the building was injured.
Toddler of Phoenix first responder dies after bounce house goes airborne
A two-year-old child died after a strong gust of wind sent the bounce house he was in airborne and into a neighbouring lot in central Arizona, the Pinal County Sheriff's Office said.
Stranded cruise passengers in Spain race to catch up with their ship
A month after eight Norwegian Cruise Line passengers were stranded in Africa when their ship left without them because they were late getting back, a U.S. couple – ages 84 and 81 – were also left behind by the cruise line in Spain.
Harvey Weinstein appears in court after his New York rape conviction was overturned
Harvey Weinstein was back in a New York courtroom Wednesday for his first appearance since an appeals court last week overturned his 2020 rape conviction and ordered a new trial.
Dental care program starts accepting claims for 1 million seniors
The first seniors to register with the new federal dental care plan can now start submitting claims.
Concerns about plexiglass prompt inspections at some Loblaws locations in Ottawa
Inspections are underway at more than one Loblaws location in Ottawa after complaints were filed about tall plexiglass barriers.
How can I tell if I have norovirus? Expert explains symptoms
The highly contagious norovirus is spreading across Canada, with some symptoms overlapping with other viruses. CTVNews.ca spoke with a health expert to find out how you can tell you have norovirus, the most common form of stomach flu, and what to do if you have it.