Alberta NDP leader Nenshi splits from federal party over pipeline stance
Nenshi said Thursday the Alberta NDP has cut ties with the federal party, citing disagreements over Pacific Link. The federal NDP leader Avi Lewis called the pipeline an affront to science.
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Naheed Nenshi, leader of the Alberta NDP, said Thursday that the provincial party has severed ties with the federal NDP, marking a public break over pipeline policy.
The split centres on Pacific Link, a proposed pipeline project. Nenshi applauded the Pacific Link announcement Thursday and agreed with its southern route. Avi Lewis, federal NDP leader, called Pacific Link "an offence to Canadian science, common sense, and not in the national interest."
Nenshi told reporters: "Folks can say what they want in Ottawa; here in Alberta, we get stuff built." He added: "Mr. Lewis has a job to do. I'm not a member of that party; many provincial NDP members are not members of that party. We've cut that tie with the federal NDP. Fundamentally, he can say what he likes."
Premier Danielle Smith posted on social media calling Lewis Nenshi's boss and called on Nenshi to change the party's name. Nenshi responded directly: "I'm super happy to take advice from the premier whose party is falling apart around her ears on what another political party should do. So I'll return with a little bit of advice. Hey, premier: if you're giving me advice on my party… I'll give you some on yours: kick out the separatists."
Tom Vernon, senior consultant with Crestview Strategy, said the provincial NDP remains very much in the fight on vote intent in Alberta polls, with a provincial election roughly a year away. Pacific Link will need a year's worth of talk and planning before construction can start.
What is the full scope and route of Pacific Link?
Where does the Alberta NDP stand in current provincial polling?
We'll update this story as answers emerge.
The facts
Why did the Alberta NDP split from the federal party?
Naheed Nenshi, leader of the Alberta NDP, cited disagreements over the Pacific Link pipeline project. Nenshi supported the pipeline's southern route, while federal NDP leader Avi Lewis called it an affront to science and contrary to the national interest.
What did Nenshi say about the federal party's pipeline position?
Nenshi told reporters that people in Ottawa can say what they want, but in Alberta the focus is on getting projects built. He noted he is no longer a member of the federal party and that the provincial NDP has cut ties with it.
When is Alberta's next provincial election?
Alberta's next provincial election is roughly a year away from the publication date.
