Notley to vote for federal NDP despite Singh’s opposition to Trans Mountain

EDMONTON Alberta’s Opposition leader said she’ll be voting for the NDP candidate in her riding on Monday, despite disagreements with the federal party on energy policy.

Provincial NDP Leader Rachel Notley said in a statement that she had been planning to stay on the sidelines during the federal election. But she said the prospect of a Conservative minority government backed by the separatist Bloc Quebecois has her deeply concerned for the future of the country.

Notley criticized Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer’s plans to roll back climate change action and cut spending. She was also critical of anti-choice, homophobic and xenophobic views within his party.

She said the NDP candidate in her riding of Edmonton—strathcona, Heather Mcpherson, is the only candidate who can defeat the Conservatives there.

Notley, a former premier, said her disagreements with federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh over the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion have not disappeared.

“However, it is also my view that there is no parliamentary makeup that will allow Mr. Singh to assert those views,” Notley said Friday. “A minority government brings us the possibility of a national pharmacare program, a national dental-care program and, at long last, real progress on establishing a national child care program. These are important to me, and they are important to many Albertans.”

Notley added Mcpherson understands the importance of the energy industry.

“I know she will stand up in Parliament, and in her caucus, to ensure Alberta’s perspective is heard — not just by those who agree with us but also by those who do not.” The Canadian Press