Labour leader Gil McGowan drops out of Alberta NDP leadership contest

Another NDP leadership candidate has dropped out of the race, as the party announced it has surpassed 85,000 voting members, the highest number in its history.

Gil McGowan announced his decision Monday morning, saying he was unable to pay the final instalment of the $60,000 in candidate fees. 

One day earlier, a news release announced the party now had a historic 85,144 members who would be eligible to participate in June's vote for the next leader, which will be determined by a ranked-choice ballot. 

At the end of 2023 the party had 16,224 members. Party officials say membership has reached a high of around 30,000 at various times within the last decade.

McGowan said the growth of party membership speaks to the hard work of the leadership candidates and the desire among Albertans for an alternative to the ruling United Conservative Party.

"My central message in this campaign has been that, in order to win, we have to reach out to people outside of our tent — in particular, working Albertans with high school, college, and trades educations," McGowan said in a social media post.

He said polls show those groups of people are supporting the UCP over the NDP.

McGowan, president of the Alberta Federation of Labour for 19 years, joined the leadership race in March. He is the second candidate to drop out following the March withdrawal by Edmonton-Whitemud MLA Rakhi Pancholi, who has endorsed former Calgary mayor Naheed Nenshi. 

Four candidates remain: Nenshi, Edmonton-Rutherford MLA Jodi Calahoo Stonehouse, Calgary-Mountain View MLA Kathleen Ganley and Edmonton-Glenora MLA Sarah Hoffman.

The leadership contest was prompted by Rachel Notley's January announcement that she would step down once party members chose her successor.

The party held its second debate on Saturday in Calgary. A third is scheduled for June 2 in Edmonton.

Voting will be conducted online, by telephone, or through Canada Post. Polls will open from June 3 until noon on June 22.

The party will announce a new leader that afternoon.