Calgary ridings lead Edmonton's in NDP membership sales
The Alberta NDP is gaining ground in Calgary, if the party's membership sales are any indication.
According to data released at the deadline to run for leadership of the party, there are now 85,144 registered members in Alberta.
"Voters from all walks of life and all regions of the province joined the Alberta NDP because they are excited to support our party in forming the next government," said chief returning officer of the Alberta NDP leadership race Amanda Freistadt.
- Sign up for breaking news alerts from CTV News, right at your fingertips
- The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App
According to membership data released earlier this month, there are now more NDP members in Calgary (39,240) than in Edmonton (21,253).
In fact, the top six ridings on the membership list are all in Calgary.
Calgary-Mountain View, currently held by leadership hopeful Kathleen Ganley, has the most members of all ridings at 3,501.
"Team Ganley continues to grow across Alberta as we put forward real, concrete ideas that speak to the economic challenges facing people. Our ideas can change hearts and minds," her team wrote in a news release.
Ganley says she is "excited to see membership growth" in Calgary and across the province.
"If elected leader, I will work to give our members a real offer on the economy to take to voters," she said.
"I have to give a special shoutout to the Calgary-Mountain View riding that I am so proud to represent that now has more than 3,500 Alberta New Democrat members — the largest in the province."
The leadership race began in January when Rachel Notley announced her resignation as leader.
Ganley, former Calgary mayor Naheed Nenshi, Edmonton MLAs Sarah Hoffman and Jodi Calahoo Stonehouse are all in the running.
The ballots will be sent out to members using Canada Post by the end of May and voting opens on June 3.
"The leadership race rules, set by provincial council, ensured a process with a high level of integrity and transparency," said Freistadt.
"The largest number of NDP members in Alberta's history will be eligible to vote."
The party says its membership has grown from 16,224 on Dec. 31, 2023 to 85,144 on April 22 and the number of Calgarians buying membership is good to see.
"Growth in Calgary is particularly exciting, as we know from the last few elections in Alberta that Calgary is a key battleground city for the NDP's path to victory. Calgary voters understand that it's time for a change in government and that the Alberta NDP can deliver that change," the party said.
The party has high hopes that the high number of new memberships will translate into a high voter turnout at the next general election.
In 2015, when Notley was elected premier of Alberta, 59 per cent of eligible voters cast a ballot, the highest since 1993, when Ralph Klein was elected premier with 60 per cent voters participating.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING NEWS Joe Biden drops out of 2024 race, endorses Kamala Harris to be Democratic nominee
U.S. President Joe Biden dropped out of the 2024 race for the White House on Sunday, ending his bid for re-election after a disastrous debate with Donald Trump that raised doubts about the incumbent's fitness for office with the election just four months away. It was a late-season campaign thunderstrike unlike any in American history.
Justin Trudeau reacts to Joe Biden announcing he won't run for re-election
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau responded to the news that U.S. President Joe Biden won’t run for re-election Sunday, calling Biden a 'true friend.'
What happens next: Joe Biden wants to pass the baton to Kamala Harris. Here's how that might work
With U.S. President Joe Biden ending his re-election bid and endorsing Vice-President Kamala Harris, Democrats now must navigate a shift that is unprecedented this late in an election year.
Read Biden's full text announcing the end to his re-election campaign
U.S. President Joe Biden ended his re-election campaign on Sunday after fellow Democrats lost faith in his mental acuity and ability to beat Donald Trump. He announced his decision in a letter posted on social media. Read the full text.
Harris, endorsed by Biden, could become first woman, second Black person to be U.S. president
Kamala Harris could become the first Black woman to head a major U.S. party presidential ticket after U.S. President Joe Biden abruptly ended his re-election bid and endorsed her.
The pilot who died in crash after releasing skydivers near Niagara Falls has been identified
NEW YORK (AP) — Officials on Sunday released the name of a pilot who died in a skydiving flight after her passengers jumped from the aircraft near the Niagara Falls.
LCBO workers ratify tentative agreement, strike ends Monday
The union representing 10,000 workers at the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) has ratified a tentative agreement, which will officially end its two-week strike at 12:01 a.m. Monday.
Joy in Newfoundland after 'Lucky 7' fishers survive harrowing days lost at sea
There was a powerful word being repeated in the joyful Newfoundland community of New-Wes-Valley on Sunday: 'Miracle.'
A Florida woman was killed 24 years ago. DNA evidence just helped police make an arrest in the cold case
A Florida woman’s brutal killing nearly 25 years ago may finally be solved after authorities arrested the suspect this week, according to the Sanford Police Department.