Alberta NDP members will no longer be automatically enrolled in the federal party after a vote at the party’s Edmonton convention this month — a change St. Albert MLA Marie Renaud says gives supporters a clearer choice in their political affiliation.
From May 2 to 4, over 1,500 delegates, volunteers and supporters were at the Edmonton Convention Centre for the convention, which focused on redefining the party's identity, policy debate, electing a new board, and preparing for upcoming elections. However, two main topics of debate were allowing members to opt out of being a member of the federal NDP and criticism of Bill 54 put forward by the provincial government.
On May 3, delegates voted to allow members of the Alberta NDP the choice to opt out of becoming a member of the federal party.
"We made it very clear that people who join the Alberta New Democrats can opt in or opt out of joining the federal New Democrats. That was really important to us to be very clear," said Marie Renaud, the NDP MLA for St. Albert. "Certainly, if you'd like to be a member of both, go ahead, but we felt that it was really important to make that distinction."
She said giving people the choice of whether they wanted to be a part of both parties was important.
"When I purchase an Alberta New Democrat membership, I am purchasing a membership to an Alberta party, I don't automatically want to become a member of something else that I haven't consented to," said Renaud.
She explained this could mean having a box members can select when purchasing their membership, which would ask them if they want to also be a member of the federal party. Renaud said she expects many people to continue to be members of the federal party, but they wanted to give people the option.
"This is about earning people's votes,” she said. “Internal parties and most other political parties don't have that automatic affiliation, and so we thought it was really important to clarify that for all of our members."
This was one of the big topics of discussion that came out of the convention.
"We're looking to the future, we're talking about great policy," said Renaud. "I think it's our biggest convention ever."
Response to Bill 54
Another topic of discussion at the convention was the UCP government's Bill 54 and Alberta sovereignty.
Bill 54, the Election Statutes Amendment Act, was tabled on April 29; if passed, it would lower the number of signatures needed for a citizens' initiative or referendum, and extend the signature collection period. The proposed legislation would give 120 days instead of 90 days to collect signatures, and the threshold for a referendum would be 10 per cent of the people who voted in the last provincial election.
"Unfortunately, the UCP government here in Alberta has decided to behave in a way that I think is dangerous for Alberta," said Renaud. "So, they tabled Bill 54, which enabled the citizen referendum."
Renaud said the talk of separation is dangerous and threatens Alberta's economic stability and national influence.
"I think the vast majority of Albertans are on Team Canada. We're certainly on Team Canada. New Democrats are on Team Canada and Team Alberta," said Renaud. "We want to work with the other provinces and the federal government to remove trade barriers throughout the country so that we all prosper."
She said that the NDP is trying to get the bill amended or have it disregarded and focus on uniting the province instead.
"We've done a number of other things, and we're really gearing up for the election," said Renaud. "I suspect we might go to an early election, that's the way [Premier Danielle Smith] is talking, she wants a referendum."
During news conferences, Smith said she does not support Alberta separating and is working to negotiate a fair deal for Alberta with the Prime Minister. She also said if a referendum was brought forward she would honour the process.
Renaud said the NDP will be ready for an early election if one is called.
"You know, Danielle, you want an early election in 2026, bring it, because we plan on winning," said Renaud.
