The Alberta NDP will be looking for nominees in four constituencies in Edmonton and Calgary with the retirement of some of their most recognizable faces. Joe Ceci, Luanne Metz, Marlin Schmidt and Lori Sigurdson will continue to serve until the end of their current term. Nomination dates for their ridings – Calgary-Buffalo, Calgary-Varsity, Edmonton-Gold Bar and Edmonton-Riverview, respectively – will be announced in the coming weeks, the party said. Ceci, Schmidt and Sigurdson were elected in 2015 with Rachel Notley. Ceci spent the first four years in government as Alberta’s finance minister and Treasury Board president. He currently serves as the arts and culture shadow minister. Schmidt served as advanced education minister from 2016 to 2019, during which the government implemented a two-year tuition freeze, and is currently the NDP Official Opposition Lead on the Public Accounts Committee. Sigurdson was in charge of several portfolios in her first years in government: first, innovation and advanced education, and job skills training and labour; then, seniors and housing. In the latter role, she helped the effort to increase Alberta’s minimum wage, and include farm and ranch workers under Workers’ Compensation Board coverage. Now, she is the critic for seniors issues, continuing care and homecare. Formerly a neurologist and researcher, Metz was elected in 2023 and served as shadow minister for health, then led a project about the future of health care in Alberta. In statements posted to social media, Sigurdson and Metz called representing their constituents an honour. Alberta’s next provincial election is scheduled for Oct. 18, 2027.
