Alberta NDP membership in Calgary surpasses Edmonton

The Alberta NDP is gaining momentum in Calgary, if the party's membership sales are any indication.

There are now 85,144 registered members in Alberta, according to figures released by the deadline for party leadership nominations.

“Voters from all walks of life and all regions of the province joined the Alberta NDP because they are excited to support our party in forming the next government,” said Alberta NDP Chief Returning Officer Amanda Freistadt.

Calgary now has more NDP members (39,240) than Edmonton (21,253), according to membership data released earlier this month.

In fact, the top six names on the membership list are all in Calgary.

Calgary-Mountain View, currently led by leadership hopeful Kathleen Ganley, has the most members at 3,501 attractions.

“Team Ganley continues to grow across Alberta as we advance real, tangible ideas that address the economic challenges people face. Our ideas can change hearts and minds,” his team wrote in a press release.

The leadership race began in January when Rachel Notley announced she would step down as leader.

Ganley, former Calgary mayor Naheed Nenshi, Edmonton MPs Sarah Hoffman and Jody Kalahu Stonehouse are all running.

Ballots will be mailed to members via Canada Post by the end of May and voting will begin on June 3.

“The leadership competition rules established by the provincial council ensured a process with a high level of integrity and transparency,” Freistadt said.

“Largest number of NDP members in Alberta history will be eligible to vote.”

The party has high hopes that the large number of new members will translate into high voter turnout in the next general election.

When Notley was elected premier of Alberta in 2015, 59 percent of eligible voters cast ballots, the highest turnout since Ralph Klein was elected premier in 1993, when 60 percent of voters participated.