February 4, 2026
RED FM News Desk
Alberta NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi says he has delivered a clear and direct message to candidates seeking the federal NDP leadership: his priority is winning the next Alberta election, and he does not want internal party disputes standing in the way.
Nenshi told CBC News he has spoken with the three leading contenders — Avi Lewis, Heather McPherson and Rob Ashton — and made it clear that Alberta’s political battle requires unity and focus.
He is aiming to defeat the United Conservative Party government led by Premier Danielle Smith, which he described in stark terms during an interview.
“In Alberta, we’re dealing with a particularly frightening government — one that is malicious, incompetent and corrupt, to be very blunt,” Nenshi said.
He added that Alberta New Democrats cannot afford to be distracted by ideological infighting within the party while facing such a challenge.
Nenshi also pointed out that the Alberta NDP’s situation differs sharply from that of the federal party, which is rebuilding after suffering major losses in the most recent federal election.
“I just needed the federal leadership candidates to understand that reality,” he said.
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