The 2014 Alberta New Democratic Party leadership election was prompted by Brian Mason's announcement on April 29, 2014 that he will be resigning as leader of the New Democratic Party of Alberta after a decade in the position.[3]
For the first time, rather than selecting the leader through a delegated convention, all NDP members will be eligible to vote. A weighted voting system will be used in which ballots cast by members are weighted to at least 80 per cent of the total, and votes from trade unions and other affiliated organizations will be weighted at a maximum of 20 per cent.[1][4] The NDP will be examining the possibility of using online voting.[1] To be nominated, a candidate must obtain 50 signatures from party members and make a non-refundable $5,000 deposit.[2] Individuals may donate no more than $15,000 and contributions in excess of $100 must be publicly reported. Candidates may not accept donations from publicly traded corporations with more than 100 employees.[5]
April 29, 2014 - Brian Mason announces his resignation as Alberta NDP leader to take effect at the party's fall convention scheduled for October 18 and 19, 2014.
May 27, 2014 - The party's provincial council announces leadership campaign rules, nomination fees and spending limits.[2][4][5]
June 2, 2014 - Nomination period officially opens.[2]
August 5, 2014 - Nomination period officially closes.[6]
MLA for Edmonton-Calder (2004-2008, 2012–present), served as executive director of Alberta Friends of Medicare (2008-2012). Has served as NDP critic for Agriculture and Food, Environment, K-12 Education, Sustainable Resource Development, and Tourism and Culture. Former teacher.
Other prominent supporters: Rupinder Kaur, Former Chief of Staff to the Alberta New Democrats; Shauna Mihalicz, Alberta NDP vice-president; Aileen Burke, 2014 Macleod Federal By-Election Candidate; Denny Holmwood, New Democratic Youth of Alberta Co-Chair 2008-2010, 2008 Strathcona NDP Candidate;[9]
NDP candidate in Edmonton-Ellerslie (2012) receiving 16% of the vote and the NDP's nominee in that riding for the next election. He works as academic programs co-ordinator at the University of Alberta and also President of the Non-Academic Staff Association (NASA) at the university. Loyola, 40, is also the chair of Public Interest Alberta's Post-Secondary Education task force, a spoken-word poet and executive board member Friends of Medicare and the Knottwood Community League, and founding member of the Mill Woods Artists Collective.[10][11][12]
MLA for Edmonton-Strathcona, (2008–present), NDP House Leader and variously Critic for Enterprise & Advanced Education, Environment & Sustainable Resource Development, Justice & Solicitor General, and Human Services; labour lawyer, daughter of Alberta NDP leader Grant Notley (1969–1984).[4][13]