31st Alberta Legislature explained

Jurisdiction:AB
#:31st
Status:active
Type:Majority
Term-Begin:8 June 2023
Sc:Nathan Cooper
Scterm:21 May 2019 – present
Pm:Danielle Smith
Pm-Begin:2022-10-11
Lo:Rachel Notley
Lo-Begin:2019-04-30
Lo-End:2024-06-24
Lo2:Christina Gray
Lo-Begin2:2024-06-24
Ghl:Joseph Schow
Ghl-Begin:2022-10-24
Ohl:Christina Gray
Ohl-Begin:2021-02-08
Party:United Conservative Party
Party2:New Democratic Party
Sessionbegin:20 June 2023
Sessionend:present
Ministry:Smith ministry
Monarch-Begin:2022-09-08
Viceroy:Salma Lakhani
Viceroy-Begin:2020-08-26
Members:87
Lastparl:30th
Nextparl:32nd
Houseimage:31st Alberta Legislature.svg

The 31st Alberta Legislative Assembly was constituted after the general election on 29 May 2023. The United Conservative Party (UCP), led by incumbent Premier Danielle Smith, won a majority of seats (49) and formed the government. The New Democrats, led by former Premier Rachel Notley, won the second most seats (38) and formed the official opposition.

First session

The first session began on 20 June 2023. Jennifer Johnson, who had appeared on the election ballot as a UCP candidate but was disavowed by the party during the campaign, was seated as an independent on the Opposition side. After election of officers of the assembly, including Nathan Cooper's re-election as speaker, the assembly adjourned for the summer.[1]

The session resumed on 30 October with the speech from the throne. Among the bills passed over the ensuing months was an amendment to the Election Act, changing the fixed election date to the third Monday in October instead of the last Monday in May this bill passed the assembly on 28 May 2024 and received royal assent on 30 May. The assembly adjourned for the summer on 29 May.

On 22 June, Naheed Nenshi was elected leader of the Alberta NDP, and as a result, Rachel Notley resigned on 24 June as leader of the Opposition. Because Nenshi did not have a seat in the assembly, he designated Christina Gray to be Opposition leader.

On 1 July, Shannon Phillips resigned as MLA for Lethbridge-West.[2]

On 9 October, Johnson returned to the UCP caucus.[3] The first session resumed with its fall sitting starting on 28 October.

Members of the 31st Legislative Assembly

MemberPartyElectoral districtFirst elected / previously elected
Peter GuthrieUnited ConservativeAirdrie-Cochrane2019
Angela PittUnited ConservativeAirdrie-East2015
Glenn van DijkenUnited ConservativeAthabasca-Barrhead-Westlock2015
Sarah ElmeligiNew DemocraticBanff-Kananaskis2023
Scott CyrUnited ConservativeBonnyville-Cold Lake-St. Paul2015, 2023
Danielle SmithUnited ConservativeBrooks-Medicine Hat2012, 2022
Diana BattenNew DemocraticCalgary-Acadia2023
Amanda ChapmanNew DemocraticCalgary-Beddington2023
Irfan SabirNew DemocraticCalgary-Bhullar-McCall2015
Demetrios NicolaidesUnited ConservativeCalgary-Bow2019
Joe CeciNew DemocraticCalgary-Buffalo2015
Mickey AmeryUnited ConservativeCalgary-Cross2019
Janet EremenkoNew DemocraticCalgary-Currie2023
Peter SinghUnited ConservativeCalgary-East2019
Julia HayterNew DemocraticCalgary-Edgemont2023
Samir KayandeNew DemocraticCalgary-Elbow2023
Parmeet Singh BoparaiNew DemocraticCalgary-Falconridge2023
Myles McDougallUnited ConservativeCalgary-Fish Creek2023
Court EllingsonNew DemocraticCalgary-Foothills2023
Nagwan Al-GuneidNew DemocraticCalgary-Glenmore2023
Ric McIverUnited ConservativeCalgary-Hays2012
Lizette TejadaNew DemocraticCalgary-Klein2023
Eric BouchardUnited ConservativeCalgary-Lougheed2023
Kathleen GanleyNew DemocraticCalgary-Mountain View2015
Muhammad YaseenUnited ConservativeCalgary-North2019
Gurinder BrarNew DemocraticCalgary-North East2023
Rajan SawhneyUnited ConservativeCalgary-North West2019
Tanya FirUnited ConservativeCalgary-Peigan2019
Rebecca SchulzUnited ConservativeCalgary-Shaw2019
Matt JonesUnited ConservativeCalgary-South East2019
Luanne MetzNew DemocraticCalgary-Varsity2023
Mike EllisUnited ConservativeCalgary-West2014
Jackie LovelyUnited ConservativeCamrose2019
Joseph SchowUnited ConservativeCardston-Siksika2019
Todd LoewenUnited ConservativeCentral Peace-Notley2019
Chantelle de JongeUnited ConservativeChestermere-Strathmore2023
Justin WrightUnited ConservativeCypress-Medicine Hat2023
Andrew BoitchenkoUnited ConservativeDrayton Valley-Devon2023
Nathan HornerUnited ConservativeDrumheller-Stettler2019
Peggy WrightNew DemocraticEdmonton-Beverly-Clareview2023
Nicole GoehringNew DemocraticEdmonton-Castle Downs2015
David ShepherdNew DemocraticEdmonton-City Centre2015
Sharif HajiNew DemocraticEdmonton-Decore2023
Rod LoyolaNew DemocraticEdmonton-Ellerslie2015
Sarah HoffmanNew DemocraticEdmonton-Glenora2015
Marlin SchmidtNew DemocraticEdmonton-Gold Bar2015
Janis IrwinNew DemocraticEdmonton-Highlands-Norwood2019
Heather SweetNew DemocraticEdmonton-Manning2015
Lorne DachNew DemocraticEdmonton-McClung2015
Jasvir DeolNew DemocraticEdmonton-Meadows2019
Christina GrayNew DemocraticEdmonton-Mill Woods2015
David EggenNew DemocraticEdmonton-North West2004, 2012
Lori SigurdsonNew DemocraticEdmonton-Riverview2015
Jodi Calahoo StonehouseNew DemocraticEdmonton-Rutherford2023
Rhiannon HoyleNew DemocraticEdmonton-South2023
Nathan IpNew DemocraticEdmonton-South West2023
Rachel NotleyNew DemocraticEdmonton-Strathcona2008
Brooks Arcand-PaulNew DemocraticEdmonton-West Henday2023
Rakhi PancholiNew DemocraticEdmonton-Whitemud2019
Brian JeanUnited ConservativeFort McMurray-Lac La Biche2015, 2022
Tany YaoUnited ConservativeFort McMurray-Wood Buffalo2015
Jackie Armstrong-HomeniukUnited ConservativeFort Saskatchewan-Vegreville2019
Nolan DyckUnited ConservativeGrande Prairie2023
Ron WiebeUnited ConservativeGrande Prairie-Wapiti2023
RJ SigurdsonUnited ConservativeHighwood2019
Devin DreeshenUnited ConservativeInnisfail-Sylvan Lake2018
Shane GetsonUnited ConservativeLac Ste. Anne-Parkland2019
Jennifer JohnsonUnited ConservativeLacombe-Ponoka2023
Brandon LuntyUnited ConservativeLeduc-Beaumont2023
Scott SinclairUnited ConservativeLesser Slave Lake2023
Nathan NeudorfUnited ConservativeLethbridge-East2019
Shannon PhillipsNew DemocraticLethbridge-West2015
Chelsae PetrovicUnited ConservativeLivingstone-Macleod2023
Rick WilsonUnited ConservativeMaskwacis-Wetaskiwin2019
Dale NallyUnited ConservativeMorinville-St. Albert2019
Nathan CooperUnited ConservativeOlds-Didsbury-Three Hills2015
Dan WilliamsUnited ConservativePeace River2019
Adriana LaGrangeUnited ConservativeRed Deer-North2019
Jason StephanUnited ConservativeRed Deer-South2019
Jason NixonUnited ConservativeRimbey-Rocky Mountain House-Sundre2015
Kyle KasawskiNew DemocraticSherwood Park2023
Searle TurtonUnited ConservativeSpruce Grove-Stony Plain2019
Marie RenaudNew DemocraticSt. Albert2015
Nate GlubishUnited ConservativeStrathcona-Sherwood Park2019
Grant HunterUnited ConservativeTaber-Warner2015
Garth RowswellUnited ConservativeVermilion-Lloydminster-Wainwright2019
Martin LongUnited ConservativeWest Yellowhead2019
[4]

Seating plan

[5]

Officeholders

Presiding officers

!Office!Photo!Party!Officer!Riding!Since!Until
Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of AlbertaUCPNathan CooperOlds-Didsbury-Three Hills21 May 2019present
Deputy Speaker and Chair of CommitteesUCPAngela PittAirdrie-East21 May 2019present
Deputy Chair of CommitteesUCPGlenn van DijkenAthabasca-Barrhead-Westlock20 June 2023present
[6] [7] [8]

Government leadership (United Conservative)

!Office!Photo!Officer!Riding!Since!Until
Premier of AlbertaDanielle SmithBrooks-Medicine Hat11 October 2022present
Deputy PremierMike EllisCalgary-West9 June 2023present
House LeaderJoseph SchowCardston-Siksika24 October 2022present
Deputy House LeaderMickey AmeryCalgary-Cross24 October 2022present
Dan WilliamsPeace River13 July 2023present
WhipShane GetsonLac Ste. Anne-Parkland9 June 2023present
Deputy WhipTany YaoFort McMurray-Wood Buffalo18 October 2023present
Caucus ChairNathan NeudorfLethbridge-EastJune 2021present
[9] [10] [11] [12]

Opposition leadership (New Democratic)

!Office!Photo!Officer!Riding!Since!Until
Leader of the OppositionRachel Notley30 April 201924 June 2024
Christina GrayEdmonton-Mill Woods24 June 2024present
Deputy LeaderSarah HoffmanEdmonton-Glenora13 May 201927 January 2024
Christina GrayEdmonton-Mill Woods13 February 202424 June 2024
Rakhi PancholiEdmonton-Whitemud24 June 2024present
House LeaderChristina GrayEdmonton-Mill Woods8 February 2021present
Deputy House LeaderIrfan SabirCalgary-Bhullar-McCall20 October 2020present
Heather SweetEdmonton-Manning27 February 202328 January 2024
David ShepherdEdmonton-City Centre11 September 2024present
WhipDavid EggenEdmonton-North West21 May 201911 September 2024
Kathleen GanleyCalgary-Mountain View11 September 2024present
Deputy WhipSarah HoffmanEdmonton-Glenora27 June 202327 January 2024
Heather SweetEdmonton-Manning28 January 202411 September 2024
Janis IrwinEdmonton-Highlands-Norwood11 September 2024present
Deputy Assistant WhipSamir KayandeCalgary-Elbow27 June 202311 September 2024
Amanda ChapmanCalgary-Beddington11 September 2024present
Caucus ChairJoe CeciCalgary-Buffalo13 May 201911 September 2024
David EggenEdmonton-North West11 September 2024present
Deputy Caucus ChairPeggy WrightEdmonton-Beverly-Clareview27 June 2023present
[13] [14] [15] [16] [17] [18] [19] [20] [21] [22]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2023-06-20 . 'Did a remarkable job': Cooper reelected as Speaker in Alberta legislature . 2024-09-13 . Edmonton . en.
  2. News: Markusoff . Jason . Jun 10, 2024 . Shannon Phillips targeted climate and parks action. Then she got targeted. The NDPer is now leaving office .
  3. News: Bellefontaine . Michelle . 2024-10-09 . Alberta MLA who compared transgender children to feces in food welcomed into UCP caucus . 2024-10-10 . CBC News.
  4. Web site: Members of the Legislative Assembly . 2023-11-06 . www.assembly.ab.ca.
  5. Web site: Chamber Seating Plan . 2024-03-11 . www.assembly.ab.ca.
  6. Web site: Honourable Nathan Cooper . 2023-11-06 . www.assembly.ab.ca.
  7. Web site: Ms Angela Pitt . 2023-11-06 . www.assembly.ab.ca.
  8. Web site: Mr. Glenn van Dijken . 2023-11-06 . www.assembly.ab.ca.
  9. Web site: 2023-06-09 . Premier Smith appoints new Alberta cabinet with many familiar faces in different portfolios . 2023-11-06 . Edmonton . en.
  10. Web site: Honourable Dan Williams, ECA . 2023-11-06 . www.assembly.ab.ca.
  11. Web site: Mr. Tany Yao . 2023-11-06 . www.assembly.ab.ca.
  12. News: Herald . July 20, 2021 . Neudorf takes on challenge as UCP caucus chair . Lethbridge Herald . 2023-11-06.
  13. Web site: Heidenreich . Phil . June 27, 2023 . NDP announces shadow cabinet for largest Official Opposition in Alberta history . 2023-11-06 . Global News . en-US.
  14. News: Bellefontaine . Michelle . May 13, 2019 . 'Challenging and exciting, fun and frustrating': NDP MLAs look ahead to next 4 years . CBC News . 2023-11-06.
  15. shoffmanAB . 1751401907929972993 . Following today's Alberta NDP meeting to finalize our leadership contest, I have resigned my positions as Deputy Leader, Assistant Whip, and Municipal Affairs Critic for Edmonton and Calgary, effective immediately. I am filled with hope and optimism for the future of our party!.
  16. Web site: Staff . rdnewsNOW . Alberta NDP announces changes to caucus leadership team and critic roles . 2024-03-12 . EverythingGP . en.
  17. Web site: Alberta NDP announce interim changes to caucus . 2024-03-12 . Lethbridge News Now . en.
  18. Web site: Member Information . 2024-03-12 . www.assembly.ab.ca.
  19. News: Dryden . Joel . June 24, 2024 . New Alberta NDP leader Nenshi outlines priorities as party names Opposition leader . 2024-06-24 . CBC News.
  20. News: Black . Matthew . 11 September 2024 . Alberta NDP unveils smaller shadow cabinet, new advisory team including Rachel Notley . 1 November 2024 . Edmonton Journal.
  21. Web site: Media . Pattison . Alberta NDP Caucus shares leadership team and shadow minister shuffling . 2024-11-01 . Lethbridge News Now . en.
  22. Web site: Your MLAs . 2024-11-01 . www.albertandpcaucus.ca.