Notley's premier portrait unveiled in Alberta Legislature; Smith attends meetings instead
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.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Deaths of 4 people on Sask. farm confirmed as murder-suicide
The deaths of four people on a farm near the Saskatchewan village of Neudorf have been confirmed a murder-suicide.
Multiple bridges in Calgary shut down for police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
George Washington family secrets revealed by DNA from unmarked 19th century graves
Genetic analysis has shed light on a long-standing mystery surrounding the fates of U.S. President George Washington's younger brother Samuel and his kin.
Baby boom amongst nurses leads to maternity ward closure in Listowel, Ont.
The emergency room at Listowel’s hospital is open today, but come summer, their obstetrics unit will be temporarily closing its delivery rooms.
Humboldt Broncos bus crash survivor qualifies Canada for Paralympics in rowing event
Former Humboldt Broncos goaltender and bus crash survivor Jacob Wassermann has qualified Canada for a rowing event for the 2024 Paralympic games in Paris.
Krispy Kreme doughnuts coming to McDonald's in U.S., but not Canada
Canadians will be missing out on a sweet new partnership between McDonald's and Krispy Kreme, which will see doughnuts available at McDonald's locations across the U.S. by the end of 2026.
'We won't forget': How some Muslims view Poilievre's stance on Israel-Hamas war
A spokesman for a regional Muslim advocacy group says Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's stance on the Israel-Hamas war could complicate his party's relationship with Muslim Canadians.