EDMONTON — Alberta’s NDP leader says he’ll seek a Calgary seat in the next general vote instead of running for re-election in Edmonton.

Naheed Nenshi, who was mayor of Calgary for 11 years before switching to provincial politics, announced his decision Thursday in an online letter to his constituents in Edmonton-Strathcona.

He says in the letter that he’s “thrilled every day” to serve as the member of Edmonton-Strathcona, but is making the move to represent the communities where he grew up and made much of his professional and political life.

He also says the NDP needs to win more seats in Calgary, and that he’s “happy to be part of that battle.”

Nenshi’s byelection win in Edmonton-Strathcona in June 2025 came almost a year after he won the party’s leadership race to replace former premier Rachel Notley, who also represented the Edmonton constituency.

He won the byelection with more than 82 per cent of the vote.

“As you may know, we are in the midst of an illegitimate and corrupt process to redraw the electoral map. There will be legal challenges. Once we have a finalized (and hopefully fair!) map, I’ll announce which Calgary riding,” Nenshi wrote, referring to an ongoing review of provincial riding maps.

Nenshi has accused Premier Danielle Smith’s United Conservative government of using the review to rig the next election.

The government has said it’s about ensuring there’s fair representation for rural areas.

Nenshi says in Thursday’s letter that he will continue to serve as representative of Edmonton-Strathcona until the next general election in October 2027.

“This will open up Edmonton-Strathcona for a new representative from this beautiful community,” he wrote. “I am informing you today so that the incredible constituency association in this riding has time for a healthy and robust nomination process to select a candidate and a future MLA worthy of representing you.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 16, 2026.

The Canadian Press