The Honourable Rachel Notley has long been recognized as a transformative leader in Canadian politics. As the former premier of Alberta and longtime leader of the Alberta NDP, she not only broke through entrenched barriers but established a new framework for progressive governance in a traditionally conservative province. Known for her principled leadership, dedication to public service, and commitment to forward-thinking policies, Rachel continues to shape political discourse and drive meaningful change in Canada today.
With March being Women’s History Month and home to International Women’s Day, we’re celebrating Rachel’s legacy as a trailblazer. Her ability to translate bold vision into concrete action — whether cutting child poverty in half or introducing groundbreaking climate policies — exemplifies what it means to be a true changemaker, skilled at navigating complexity and leading through adversity
Making History: Rachel Notley’s Path to Premier
A lawyer by profession, Rachel’s political career spanned almost 17 years. She was first elected as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Edmonton-Strathcona in 2008 — one of only two NDP members. She won the leadership of her party in October 2014 and made history in 2015 when she was elected Premier of Alberta. She led her party from four seats and fourth place to 54 seats and a majority government — ending 44 years of Conservative government.
Throughout her term as Premier, Rachel cut child poverty in half and made significant investments in healthcare, infrastructure, and education, including the building of the Calgary Cancer Centre, the Calgary Green Line, the Edmonton Valley Line, and 244 schools across the province. Notley also laid the foundation for diversifying Alberta’s economy and introduced the Climate Leadership Plan, a strategy to combat climate change that included a consumer carbon tax. This led to the single biggest emissions reduction in Canadian history.
In 2019, the NDP lost the election, but Notley stayed on, working to rebuild and strengthen the opposition caucus. She served as Leader of His Majesty’s Official Opposition from 2019 until her resignation in 2024. Under her leadership, the party continued to grow and achieved a record-setting 38-member Opposition in the 87-seat house following the 2023 election.
In December 2024, after nearly a decade at the helm of the Alberta NDP, Rachel announced her intention to step down as party leader. She returned to her legal roots, joining a labour-focused law firm called Southern Butler Price in January 2025. But it didn’t take long before her expertise was sought at the national level. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau appointed Rachel to the newly formed Canada-US relations council as part of Canada’s response to President Trump’s tariff threats — a testament to her reputation as a strategic thinker and coalition builder.
Building Team Canada in Turbulent Times
Rachel’s appointment to the Canada-US relations council marks a new chapter in her public service career. As Canada faces potential tariff threats from the United States, her experience in building coalitions and navigating complex intergovernmental relationships is crucial.
“Our country has a long history of punching well above its weight when it comes into a position of serious conflict,” Rachel said in an interview with CBC News. “One of the ways we do that is by coming together with a high level of unity and an even higher level of discipline.”
The primary aim of the council is to develop a unified and strategic Canadian response to US tariffs, protecting Canadian industries and workers while maintaining positive bilateral relations. To achieve this, members are leveraging their extensive networks across sectors and regions, with Rachel telling CBC that they’ll be “reaching out to their connections, their allies, their stakeholders, the people with whom they’ve built relationships over the years across the country.” This collaborative approach mirrors Rachel’s leadership style throughout her political career, where she consistently brought diverse perspectives to the table while maintaining a clear vision forward.
Transformative Leadership: Leading Through Adversity
Rachel’s premiership from 2015 to 2019 was defined by both significant achievements and difficult challenges. Taking office during a severe downturn in oil prices, her government faced immediate economic headwinds that would have deterred many leaders from pursuing ambitious policy changes.
Despite opposition, Rachel implemented her Climate Leadership Plan, which included a consumer carbon tax and cap on oilsands emissions. Her persistence demonstrated that bold environmental policies could be advanced even in a province with deep ties to the oil and gas industry.
Rachel also championed progressive policies to support women and families. First, she prioritized gender parity in her own cabinet and appointments with her government including more women than any other in Canadian history at the time. She then advocated for reducing barriers for women in the workplace, addressing issues such as workplace health and safety and improving access to childcare. Her government raised the minimum wage to $15 an hour, introduced a $25-a-day daycare pilot program, and revamped employment standards to include job-protected sick days.
Early on in her premiership, Rachel’s leadership qualities were put to the test as wildfires swept through Fort McMurray in May 2016. She was praised as a “steady hand”, taking command of the situation and coordinating a massive emergency response. Her calm, decisive leadership during this disaster transcended partisan politics and demonstrated her ability to unite Albertans during one of the province’s most difficult moments.
When Rachel left office in 2019, she had fundamentally altered Alberta’s political landscape. Even in defeat, she had demonstrated that progressive policies could find support in Alberta and had established the NDP as a credible alternative to conservative governance — a legacy that would continue to shape the province’s politics in the years to come.
A Voice of Experience for Organizations Navigating Change
Rachel’s unique experience leading progressive change in traditionally conservative environments offers valuable insights for organizations navigating their own transformational challenges. With her background as a labour lawyer and her experience reshaping Alberta’s political landscape, she brings a unique perspective on building unity among diverse stakeholders and achieving meaningful progress even in polarizing environments.
Whether addressing industry conferences, corporate leadership teams, or public sector organizations, Rachel delivers powerful insights on leading through adversity, building consensus, and creating lasting change.
Contact us to learn more about Rachel and how to hire her as a keynote speaker for your next event.
