Alberta MLAs to be sworn-in today after historic election
Alberta’s new MLAs will be sworn-in at the legislature this morning nearly one month after the election that ended the Progressive Conservatives’ 44-year hold on power.
Eighty-five of 87 MLAs will take the oath of office. One Calgary riding is under a judicial recount and the riding of Calgary-Foothills is vacant after former premier Jim Prentice resigned on election night.
Nearly 70 of these members are new to the legislature, including two party leaders: Brian Jean of the Wildrose and Greg Clark from the Alberta Party.
Deborah Drever, the 26-year-old student elected for the NDP in Calgary-Bow, will be sworn-in as an independent MLA.
Drever was suspended from the NDP government caucus for at least one year over several controversial images and statements that came to light after the election.
Drever, Clark and Liberal Leader David Swann will be sworn-in at a separate ceremony later this afternoon.
On May 5, the NDP led by Rachel Notley won a majority government, knocking the governing PCs to third-party status. The Wildrose Party will form the Official Opposition.
Notley and her cabinet were sworn-in May 24. The legislature will meet on June 11 to select a new speaker.
CBC will live stream the MLA swearing-in ceremony at 10 a.m.