Notley's premier portrait unveiled in Alberta Legislature; Smith attends meetings instead
Notley's premier portrait unveiled in Alberta Legislature; Smith attends meetings instead
Former premier and NDP Leader Rachel Notley accepts her official Alberta Legislature portrait on December 8, 2022 (Source: Legislative Assembly of Alberta.)
Rachel Notley shed a tear, gave a speech and accepted the honour of an official portrait as it was revealed during a customary ceremony Thursday.
She also said, with a big smile, that she hopes to earn another painting by returning to the premier's chair soon.
"I remain very much focused on my future," Notley said.
"So I guess what I'm saying is, with your permission Mr. Speaker, I'd like to begin my 30-minute address laying out my case for a second portrait."
Speaker and UCP MLA Nathan Cooper laughed and said "order! order!" as the crowd cheered.
The NDP leader served as the 17th premier of Alberta from 2015 until 2019, when her party lost an election to Jason Kenney and the United Conservative Party.
The portrait was hung on the wall next to Notley's predecessor, the late Jim Prentice, who she beat in the 2015 election to become premier.
“With a public service career as an elected official spanning nearly 15 years, Rachel Notley embodies the true definition of a statesperson,” Cooper told the crowd before Notley's speech.
“Her service has earned the respect of her constituents and citizens throughout the province.”
Notley joked that she plans to take Cooper's comments and print them on campaign literature, which drew laughter from both the crowd and the speaker.
The NDP leader shed a tear when she spoke about how she chose to be painted on the front steps of the legislature, and asked that the front doors be open.
Former premier and NDP Leader Rachel Notley accepts her official Alberta Legislature portrait on December 8, 2022 (Source: Legislative Assembly of Alberta.)"As with many of the people in this room today, my political career really began as an activist…I walked to this legislature, across the High Level Bridge, to protest for peace alongside my mother," an emotional Notley said.
"Government is at its best when it is open to the people of Alberta. When it is listening to their concerns, when it is acting always with their best interests at heart."
PREMIER SMITH HAD MEETINGS: SPOKESPERSON
Alberta's current premier, Danielle Smith, was not there.
"Premier Smith had hoped to attend Rachel Notley’s portrait unveiling ceremony," a spokesperson said.
"However she attended an important meeting with the Kee Tas Kee Now Tribal Council and a caucus meeting. Deputy Premier Nathan Neudorf joined the unveiling ceremony in her place."
Notley deflected questions about whether or not she felt snubbed by Smith at a press conference later in the day.
"Honestly, I don't know. I'm sure she had her reasons," the NDP leader said.
"I was pleased that Deputy Premier Nathan Neudorf was there. I appreciated his comments."
Notley attended portrait ceremonies for former premier Dave Hancock in 2017 and Prentice in 2019. There was no ceremony for Alison Redford in 2016 because she chose not to attend.
The NDP leader thanked dignitaries who were there and said she's far more concerned now about the state of the economy, the cost of living and the health and education systems.
Speaker Nathan Cooper and NDP Leader Rachel Notley tease each other at the unveiling of her official legislature portrait on December 8, 2022 (Source: Legislative Assembly of Alberta.)"At this point now I'm much more focused, not on historical accolades, but on future efforts with respect to the next election," Notley said of Smith's absence.
She also wasn't sure if she'll actually be entitled a new portrait if she becomes premier again.
"I think that would be a bit unprecedented, so I don't know that I know the answer," she said with a smile.
Notley’s portrait was painted by artist David Goatley.
A gay man is taking the federal government to court, challenging the constitutionality of a policy restricting sexually active gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned.
A Quebec woman said she was very surprised to find her stolen Audi had been used in what’s being described as an “absolutely insane” Ontario mall robbery.
A team of preteen Ukrainian refugees that have been scattered across Europe by war arrived Wednesday in Quebec City, where they'll get the chance to compete in a renowned hockey tournament.
Nearly a year since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, community organizers say there is still work to be done to help the thousands of Ukrainian refugees looking to start a new life in Canada while coping with the hardships they've faced coming here.
After a tiny radioactive capsule went missing in the Australian outback, an expert in Canada says the likelihood of the same happening in this country is unlikely, given our strong regulations governing the handling of radioactive materials.
As Black History Month gets underway, Canada Post has unveiled a new stamp honouring Chloe Cooley, a young Black woman who was known to challenge her enslavement in the late 18th century.
Calgary police are looking for suspects involved in an altercation that lasted for approximately an hour, spanned several communities and ended with a gun being fired.
Tsuut'ina Nation Police Service officials are encouraging any local victims to come forward following the arrest of actor Nathan Lee Chasing Horse in Las Vegas on sex assault charges.
Connor Bedard has arrived in Calgary ahead of what's expected to be a completely full Scotiabank Saddledome when the Calgary Hitmen and Regina Pats square off.
The Saskatchewan Environmental Society (SES) is drawing their line in the sand on the controversial Saskatchewan First Act, calling it “bad news” for the environment, economy, and the province’s energy future.
A new 911 dispatch system in New Brunswick means that now fire departments aren’t getting dispatched to all medical calls leaving residents waiting and first responders in the dark.
More than four months after Hurricane Fiona hit Atlantic Canada, people are still dealing with damaged homes as they wait for help from insurance companies and provincial aid programs.
A Quebec woman said she was very surprised to find her stolen Audi had been used in what’s being described as an “absolutely insane” Ontario mall robbery.
Hundreds of tenants at a midtown Toronto apartment building have been without heat for a week now, and many are worried with the arrival of bitter-cold temperatures.
Canada's new special representative on combating Islamophobia has apologized for words that hurt Quebecers after leaders in that province called for her resignation.
Montreal police say two men are in hospital Wednesday night with stab wounds after an altercation in a home in the city's Mercier-Hochelaga-Maisonneuve borough.
While crews have resumed operations in an attempt to open the Rideau Canal Skateway for its 53rd season, an NCC spokesperson tells CTV News Ottawa the canal will not open in time for the first weekend of Winterlude on Friday.
A hearing is underway to determine if Udo Haan is not criminally responsible for the death of his wife Edra Haan, who was found in the aftermath of the 2018 house explosion in Kitchener, Ont.
Chief Mark Crowell made a presentation at a council meeting Wednesday justifying the proposed $214 million budget for the Waterloo Regional Police Service (WRPS).
Tsuut'ina Nation Police Service officials are encouraging any local victims to come forward following the arrest of actor Nathan Lee Chasing Horse in Las Vegas on sex assault charges.
The organization regulating medical care and services in Manitoba is apologizing for racism directed towards Indigenous people when accessing health care in the province.
B.C.'s Ministry of Health is continuing its multi-year trend of paying millions more dollars each year to private surgical centres for the delivery of public health care, CTV News has learned.
Changes to the amount of time the public gets to voice their opinion during Surrey City Council meetings has caused controversy among former councillors.
A homicide investigation is underway on Quadra Island, B.C., after a 39-year old woman was found dead in what investigators believe was a targeted killing.
Alberta's former chief medical officer of health has landed a new role in British Columbia. Dr. Deena Hinshaw was named a deputy provincial health officer for B.C. on Wednesday.
Former premier and NDP Leader Rachel Notley accepts her official Alberta Legislature portrait on December 8, 2022 (Source: Legislative Assembly of Alberta.)
Former premier and NDP Leader Rachel Notley accepts her official Alberta Legislature portrait on December 8, 2022 (Source: Legislative Assembly of Alberta.)"As with many of the people in this room today, my political career really began as an activist…I walked to this legislature, across the High Level Bridge, to protest for peace alongside my mother," an emotional Notley said.
Speaker Nathan Cooper and NDP Leader Rachel Notley tease each other at the unveiling of her official legislature portrait on December 8, 2022 (Source: Legislative Assembly of Alberta.)"At this point now I'm much more focused, not on historical accolades, but on future efforts with respect to the next election," Notley said of Smith's absence.
