Dear Neighbours,
On January 16, Rachel Notley announced her resignation as leader of the Alberta NDP. She will remain leader until a successor is chosen. It’s the end of an era.
I remember the first time I saw Rachel Notley. It was on TV, the debate stage in 2015.
And as I watched the debate, I realized the best person on that stage to represent me and my values was Rachel Notley. I voted NDP for the first time in my life in 2015. I didn’t regret that decision even once.
Rachel Notley cut child poverty in half. She made protecting our environment a priority. She shepherded a booming renewable energy sector. She somehow managed to keep healthcare and schools working despite a collapse in oil prices the likes of which we had never seen before.
She worked with the federal government to get the first pipeline to tidewater built in 50 years. She was instrumental in enhancing Canada Pension Plan benefits to make our retirements more secure. She phased out heavy polluting coal-fired plants. She raised the minimum wage to $15/h. She started construction on the Calgary Cancer Centre. She even made our beer better by supporting a nascent craft brewing industry.
I never thought that I would be a politician and never believed that I could be elected to serve you, the people of Calgary-Elbow. It was Rachel who showed me, at length, that I had something to offer the people of Alberta. I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for her, and I owe her everything.
Just as we, as Albertans, owe her so much.
I will miss her.
Should you have any other questions or concerns, my office is located at 205, 5005 Elbow Drive SW. You can also reach me at [email protected] or by phone at 403-252-0346. My door is always open.
MLA – Calgary Elbow Samir Kayande proudly serves the following Communities: Altadore, Bel-Aire , Britannia, Elbow Park, Elboya, Erlton, Garrison Green, Garrison Woods, Glamorgan, Lincoln Park, Lower Mount Royal, Marda Loop, Mayfair, Meadowlark Park, Mount Royal, North Glenmore Park, Parkhill, Rideau Park, River Park, Roxboro, South Calgary, Upper Mount Royal, Windsor Park
