In a vote on Wednesday, April 10, 2024, the Executive Council of the Alberta Federation of Labour (AFL) endorsed AFL President Gil McGowan in his bid to become NDP leader and the next Premier of Alberta.

McGowan decided to run for NDP leader because polling conducted for the AFL shows that Danielle Smith and the ruling UCP have been successful in wooing workers away from the NDP.

“Working Albertans are the missing piece in the coalition the NDP needs to build to defeat the UCP in 2027,” says McGowan. “And I have a plan to win them back.”

In addition to his years of experience advocating for Alberta workers, McGowan has developed a high level of expertise on public policy, investment, and economic issues.

It’s his plan to create jobs, diversify the Alberta economy, increase wages, and bring costs down for things like housing, groceries, utilities, and insurance that will bring workers back to the NDP, says McGowan.

To learn more about McGowan’s platform, buy a membership, or to learn how you can help out with his campaign, please visit his website.

How to vote

The AFL Executive Council encourages all workers and union members to get involved in the democratic process. If you want to vote in the NDP leadership race, you have to sign up as a party member by April 22nd. Here’s how to do it:

• First of all, make sure you purchase or renew your membership before next Monday, April 22nd. You can’t participate in the leadership vote if you’re not a member. Membership is only $10.
• Once you’re a member, after June 3rd, you’ll receive your voting package in the mail. It’ll include a PIN number to use for voting online or by phone.
• Use your ballot package to vote online, over the phone, or by mail. Don’t wait until the last minute, get your vote in early!
• Results will be announced on Saturday, June 22nd!

Here is the full text of the motion that was passed by the AFL Executive Council to endorse Gil McGowan:

WHEREAS the UCP government’s policies represent a clear threat to many of the things that Alberta workers and unions value, including: jobs, wages, pensions, economic security, workplace health and safety, public health, the environment, human rights, workplace rights and quality public services.

WHEREAS the only party that can hope to defeat the UCP in the next election is the Alberta NDP.

WHEREAS the NDP is losing support among working Albertans, partly as a result of a concerted effort by conservatives to win them over and partly as a result of the NDP’s failure to prioritize worker issues like wages, jobs, workplace rights and the economy.

WHEREAS the NDP was formed more than fifty years ago as a historic partnership between the farmer-focused Cooperative Commonwealth Federation (CCF) and the worker-focused Canadian Labour Congress (CLC).

WHEREAS a strong argument can be made that the best way for the NDP to win in 2027 and beyond is to win back the support of workers

WHEREAS it is in the interests of Alberta workers and unions to have someone leading the NDP who understands worker issues and has a clear plan to bring workers back to the party so it can win the next election.

AND WHEREAS Alberta unions have always encouraged their members, activists and leaders to get involved in the democratic process to make sure worker issues are prioritized.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Alberta Federation of Labour Executive Council endorse AFL President Gil McGowan in his bid to become the next leader of the Alberta NDP and the next Premier of Alberta.

Questions? E-mail afl@afl.org