The Alberta NDP is not considering a name change – for now – in the middle of far from the federal party | CBC News

A quick push to push the New Democrats away from the new-fangled party doesn’t mean Albertans should expect any changes to the province’s orange brand.

But Alberta NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi told reporters Monday that if party members want to talk about changing the name, he’s open to that possibility.

“I think Albertans are smart enough to understand that we’re different and that we’re kind of a government in waiting,” Nenshi said.

“But ultimately, if members of the party want to have that conversation – as you’ve seen this week, the New Democrats are very good at having a conversation within the party with people who may or may not agree – I’d be happy to have that conversation.”

Three years ago, a political group founded by members of the Alberta NDP said the provinces’ relationship with the federal NDP was a drain on support.

It also published polls, which it commissioned and conducted by Janet Brown Opinion Research. That found 50 per cent of the 900 people surveyed in Alberta thought the federal party had influence over the province’s NDP.

Brian Malkinson, former team leader and former NDP cabinet minister, said at the time that the election showed the need for a name change.

But the provincial party has put the issue to bed for now, he said Monday.

“The party, rightly, is currently focused on it [Alberta Premier] Danielle Smith and UCP,” Malkinson said.

Malkinson noted that the parties share a commonality in history, and many members tend to work in both campaigns. There are also issues related to basic policies, such as health care, he said.

“If [NDP Leader Avi Lewis] and the conditions of the coalition party continue to be a problem and drag a lot, then I think this discussion will come back …

Choice of membership of the Federal party

When Nenshi took over as leader of the Alberta NDP, the nature of the provincial New Democrats’ union with the federal party was the first area of ​​focus, especially considering the tendency of the provincial conservatives to use it to argue that the provincial party was in the process of unpopular policies.

In May 2025, party delegates voted to end the practice in which provincial party members became members of the federal party.

And minutes after Lewis took the stage at the party’s conference in Winnipeg on Sunday, the Alberta NDP released a statement from Nenshi saying the direction of the federal party under Lewis “is not in the best interest of Alberta.”

“Many thousands of members of our provinces, including myself, are not members of the federal party. We are a big tent and we accept the support of people who vote for every federal party,” the statement read.

In X, Smith argued that those ties are not as easy to sever and party as “powers” with an eye on closing down the economy.

“Their extremes are dangerous to jobs and affordability,” Smith wrote.

Lewis, for his part, gave an olive branch to Nenshi, Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew and Saskatchewan NDP Leader Carla Beck during his first press conference as leader, saying there is a way to deal with disagreements related to energy policy.

Former Alberta NDP leader ‘concerned’

Brian Mason, who was the leader of the Alberta New Democrats from September 2004 to October 2014, said he was concerned to see the party immediately release a statement withdrawing from the new leader.

Although he saw the decision to eliminate the automatic member as a logical change, the provincial party should clearly state where it stands in terms of policies, instead of allowing conservative prime ministers to control their positions due to fear of criticism.

“I was concerned to see Mr. Nenshi’s statement yesterday. I think the people of Alberta and the people of Canada are best served by unity in the NDP,” Mason told CBC News.

“I think it’s a voice that should be heard across Alberta, but across Canada as well. So, I’m not happy to see this disagreement.”

In 2012, after Federal NDP leader Tom Mulcair’s comments on Alberta’s oil sands sparked controversy, Mason invited him to visit the area.

“So there are ways a leader can work with the federal party,” Mason said.

When asked if he felt there was any weight in the argument that Lewis’s views would not play in Alberta, Mason said it would be a factor in the federal election.

“But I think it is important for the provincial NDP to stand up and say what they believe in,” he said. “And distinguish, if necessary, and run in their power.”

Speaking to reporters on Monday, Nenshi congratulated Lewis on his victory and said he was happy to meet him, while stressing that the New Democrats at the state and federal level have not seen a strong energy policy “for years.”