'Not a takeover': Ex-Calgary mayor Nenshi shrugs off criticism at leadership debate
The first debate in the Alberta NDP leadership race was mostly a civil affair Thursday but it wasn't all smooth sailing for former Calgary mayor Naheed Nenshi.
Close to 500 people turned out at the Yates Theatre in Lethbridge to hear Nenshi, three current NDP members of the legislature: Calgary's Kathleen Ganley and Edmonton representatives Sarah Hoffman and Jodi Calahoo Stonehouse as well as Alberta Federation of Labour President Gil McGowan.
- 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
Hoffman, the former health minister and deputy premier, made a veiled reference to Nenshi when she said she was “unapologetic” about being a New Democrat.
“Let's elect a New Democrat as leader of the NDP,” she said.
Afterward she made reference to Nenshi's suggestion that the Alberta and federal NDP should sever ties.
“A lot of people like to put up walls and blame Danielle Smith for putting up walls but there's someone on this stage who wants to put up a wall with the federal party - that's dangerous,” she said.
Afterward she defended her comments.
“I just want to tell the truth. I want everyone on that stage to tell the truth and be open about what their plans are,” she said.
“Anyone who wants to lead this party shouldn't be afraid to be bold and to be courageous.”
McGowan saved his criticism of Nenshi for after the debate ended. He had indicated in the debate the party needed to be more Tim Hortons than Starbucks and to reach out to working class voters. He added the party has a reputation as being elitist and filled with over-educated people who look down on those outside the major cities.
“Naheed Nenshi, I love the guy and he was a great mayor, but he's sort of a living, breathing embodiment of that negative stereotype about New Democrats being sanctimonious, over-educated, urban people who look down their noses at working people and people in rural Alberta,” McGowan told reporters.
“Is Naheed Nenshi really an asset or a liability?”
Nenshi, 52, was elected mayor of Calgary in 2010 and won three terms before deciding to bow out before the 2021 municipal election. He said the candidates have a lot of respect for each other and for their ideas.
“We've been doing this the last five or six weeks and we're starting to sound like one another,” he joked as the debate dealt with health care, environmental and Indigenous issues.
He downplayed critical comments he says was just done for TV, but acknowledges not everyone is happy he's an outsider.
“Sometimes a newcomer to the dinner table can help identify what some of the issues in the family are. I want to be very clear. This party does not need a saviour. This is not a takeover,” he said.
“The N in NDP should not stand for Naheed Democratic Party anymore than it stood for Notley Democratic Party.”
Ganley outlined her economic policies during the debate and praised the other candidates.
“Any one of us on this stage would be better placed to do a better job than the UCP is doing right now.”
Lori Williams, a political science professor at Calgary's Mount Royal University, had expected sniping would be kept at a minimum.
"Negativity turns folks off,“ she said.
“It's a delicate balance in a leadership debate because you want to be supportive of the party and supportive of whoever becomes the leader. You don't sort of want to kneecap them so they can't serve effectively ... but at the same time you've got to distinguish yourself.”
Current leader Rachel Notley announced in January her plan to step down after a decade at the helm of the provincial New Democrats. She is staying on as leader until June's leadership vote.
The NDP's May 2023 election loss was the second in a row under Notley.
The next debate will be in Calgary in May and a third is scheduled for Edmonton in June.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 25, 2024.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Blaine Higgs 'furious' over sexual education presentation
New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs has shared his anger on social media over a presentation in at least four high schools.
Driver, 18, gets $3,000 ticket, 32 demerit points after speeding on Laval boulevard
A young driver received a hefty fine from Laval police after they say he was driving nearly 100 km/h over the posted speed limit.
This type of screen time has the worst effect on kids: experts
According to some experts, there is one type of screen time that is continuously excessive, and it's having a severe effect on our children.
Trump confronts repeated boos during raucous Libertarian convention speech
Donald Trump was booed repeatedly while addressing Saturday night’s Libertarian Party National Convention.
Grayson Murray, two-time PGA Tour winner, dead at 30
Two-time PGA Tour winner Grayson Murray died Saturday morning at age 30, one day after he withdrew from the Charles Schwab Cup Challenge at Colonial.
Man throws flaming liquid on New York City subway, burns fellow rider
A man set a cup of liquid on fire and tossed it at fellow subway rider in New York City, setting the victim's shirt ablaze and injuring him.
At least 9 dead in Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas after severe weather roars across region
Powerful storms killed at least nine people and left a wide trail of destruction Sunday across Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas after obliterating homes and destroying a truck stop where drivers took shelter during the latest deadly weather to strike the central U.S.
As Canada warms, infectious disease risks spread north
Cases of Lyme disease have now increased more than 1,000 per cent in a decade as the warming climate pushes the boundaries of a range of pathogens and risk factors northward.
12 people injured after Qatar Airways plane hits turbulence on way to Dublin
Twelve people were injured when a Qatar Airways plane flying from Doha to Dublin on Sunday hit turbulence, airport authorities said.