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
PWHL Minnesota defeats Boston to win inaugural Walter Cup
Minnesota won the inaugural championship of the Professional Women’s Hockey League on Wednesday night, getting 17 saves from Nicole Hensley to beat Boston 3-0 in a winner-take-all Game 5 and claim the Walter Cup.
Canadians are eyeing moves to these cities for more affordable housing
Faced with elevated housing prices, half of Canadians in the country's largest cities are considering moving to places with more affordable housing.
B.C. mortgage broker ran $270-million Ponzi scheme, then fled Canada, bankruptcy trustee says
The trustee appointed to manage the bankruptcies of a Victoria mortgage company and its owner has concluded that they committed "numerous offences" and operated as a "massive Ponzi scheme."
Oilers rally to beat Stars, tie Western Conference Final
With the Edmonton Oilers down two goals late in the first period of Game 4, Rogers Place was quiet, fans seemingly bewildered at the early, quick scoring of the Dallas Stars and the slow start by the home team. Ryan McLeod's marker with six-and-a-half minutes in the opening frame left changed all that.
McDonald's says $18 Big Mac meal was an 'exception' and their prices haven't risen that much
McDonald’s is fighting back against viral tweets and media reports that it says have exaggerated its price increases.
'Targeted again': Montreal police investigate after gunshot fired at Jewish school
Police are investigating another building in Montreal's community was struck by gunfire.
Tessa Virtue reveals she's expecting her first child. Here's what Canadians had to say
Canadian figure-skating icon Tessa Virtue is expecting her first child, she revealed via social media Tuesday.
Poilievre says Canadians 'fleeing' to Nicaragua, Liberals say it shows he 'doesn't have a clue'
Liberal parliamentarians are criticizing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre over a new video in which he promotes the idea that some Canadians are 'fleeing' Canada to live in Nicaragua because they can't afford a house in this country.
'Do not drive': Nissan warns Canadian drivers of explosion risk impacting 48,000 vehicles
Car manufacturer Nissan has issued a do-not-drive warning for some older vehicles equipped with Takata airbag inflators, due to the risk of explosion during a crash.