Nenshi draws large crowd at first Stampede breakfast as Alberta NDP leader

Newly-crowned leader of Alberta’s New Democrats Naheed Nenshi drew a turnout astatine his first charismatic Calgary Stampede meal that eclipsed past year’s statement pancake event, and seasoned members opportunity it demonstrates momentum.

Speaking successful a riding that flipped nan NDP’s measurement successful nan past election, Nenshi said he’s proceeding astatine organization events that group bought their first statement rank for him.

“There is simply a real, existent consciousness that nan tide is turning, and group are conscionable looking for thing to judge successful again,” he told reporters.

NDP caucus officials said 4,000 group attended nan Sunday greeting meal hosted by Alberta’s Opposition.

Calgary MLA Kathleen Ganley said nan turnout was astir two-to-three times arsenic galore who came to nan party’s Stampede arena past year.

“This turnout blows my mind, and I deliberation it signals really bully things,” said Ganley, who ran against Nenshi successful nan activity race.

Nenshi does not person a spot successful nan legislature, truthful he didn’t get a spot successful nan Stampede Parade lineup Friday on pinch sitting members.

But nan 52-year-old estimates he’s been to each but a fewer Stampedes successful his lifetime. The erstwhile Calgary politician took complete from departing NDP leader Rachel Notley successful a landslide June vote, capturing 86 per cent of members’ support.

With much than 85,000 signed up pursuing nan activity campaign, nan statement now boasts nan largest provincial helping of New Democrats successful nan country.

Attack ads deed nan airwaves days aft his activity win, coating him arsenic Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s prime for Alberta, but Nenshi said nan governing United Conservative Party is grasping astatine straws.

“Let them discarded their money,” he said.

Following past year’s election, nan UCP has money to spend. In 2023, and nan first 4th of this year, it has millions of dollars much successful its warfare chest.

“We person this tremendous activity of people, each 1 of whom is ace committed to talking to their neighbours, to talking to their friends, to being progressive now and consecutive done to nan adjacent election. The UCP’s sewage thing for illustration it,” Nenshi said.

Edmonton MLA Rakhi Pancholi, who dropped her ain activity bid to support Nenshi and was appointed lawman leader past month, said nan party’s Stampede arena past twelvemonth had “a awesome energy” but “was thing for illustration it is this year.”

“I ever deliberation it’s a bully motion erstwhile we propulsion up to 1 of our NDP breakfasts astatine nan Stampede and you can’t find parking,” Pancholi said.

“I’m proceeding group excited to beryllium here, they’re excited astir us, they’re excited astir our team, and nan power is really palpable,” she said, noting nan statement is making a concerted effort to meet imaginable voters successful each area of nan city.

Sunday was nan first of 3 NDP caucus pancake breakfasts planned, but Nenshi isn’t nan only leader moving nan marathon of organization events since Stampede began past week.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has had a afloat itinerary and is group to big nan premier’s yearly Stampede meal connected Monday morning.