New Alberta government sworn in

EDMONTON — Under sunny skies on the steps of the Alberta legislature, Rachel Notley became Alberta’s 17th premier.

Notley and 11 members of caucus were sworn in to government in what was more like a festival than a staid, traditional changing of government.

Thousands of people came from across the province to take part in the historic moment and watch the NDP form government after 44 years of Progressive Conservative rule.

Children played in the reflective pool and families sat on the grass to take part in the swearing in ceremonies normally held in a small room with a handful of officials.

“Welcome to your legislative assembly. Welcome to the first day of Alberta’s new government,” said Notley.

“I look out and see the faces of today’s Alberta, the faces of our province’s future and amazing potential.”

Later Notley said she was “flabbergasted” with the turnout at the swearing-in ceremony.

During her speech, she acknowledged farms and rural communities and their importance to help build the province.

“We build farms and rural communities that weather the toughest storms that support all of our families,” she said.

“Albertans are hard-working, entrepreneurial and relentlessly optimistic. Through grit and determination we have accomplished great things.”

Notley and her cabinet will spend the summer crossing the province meeting industry officials and learning their jobs in one of the smallest cabinets in Canada.

The cabinet is made up of just 12 members: six men and six women.

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“It is an efficient and lean cabinet that will get down to work and deliver results,” she said.

Notley was swept into power May 5 winning 54 seats. Since then, Notley has asked Debra Drever to sit as an independent for one year after posting questionable social media posts.

The rest of the MLAs will be sworn in June 1. It is expected Medicine Hat MLA Bob Wanner will be the new speaker when the legislature reconvenes June 11. The session will continue June 15 with the speech from the throne and an interim supply bill. The new budget is expected to be tabled in the fall.

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