Premier-designate Rachel Notley tells energy industry it'll be 'A-OK'

Just hours after taking down a four-decade-old Tory government, Alberta's premier-designate, was quick to say the hard work of dismantling a dynasty has begun.

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The first order of business for Rachel Notley was phone calls to business leaders and "partners in the energy industry."

"They can count on us to work collaboratively with them," she told reporters at a news conference in the Alberta Legislature Wednesday.

"I'm hopeful that over the course of the next two weeks, they'll come to realize that things are going to be just A-OK over here in Alberta," she said.

Notley characterized last night's win as a "demonstration of democracy" that she was proud to be part of.

"Spring has come to our province in its own special way," she said, even as snow blanketed the grounds of the legislature.

As for how Notley will transform the former Tory dynasty into an NDP government, she was short on details about appointing a cabinet, a swearing-in ceremony, or other logistical details such as addressing budget initiatives tabled by the PCs before the election.

"I'll get back to you in the coming days," she said repeatedly.

Talked with Romanow

Notley said she's assembling her transition team and is relying on advice from fellow New Democrats across the country, including Roy Romanow, former NDP premier of Saskatchewan, with whom she had a long conversation last night.

Notley defended the election of so many new faces to the Alberta legislature, saying she has a field of skilled candidates to pick from when forming her cabinet.

"Albertans will look at our government and see themselves," she said, adding that she is particularly proud that almost half of her caucus are women.

Notley recalled her first day as an MLA, elected in 2008, joking that she drove the leader at the time, Brian Mason, crazy with her persistent questions.

"People learn as they go, that's life," she said.

"I think it worked out OK for me, and I'm fairly confident it's going to work out for our fabulous caucus members."