Get Politically Informed

The Role of Provincial Politics

The Alberta Government provides resources and supports that help nonprofits effectively accomplish their mission and initiatives, contributing:

·  Programs and services that support communities

·  Grant, awards and other types of funding models

·  Leading research and innovation initiatives

·  Partnering on educational and awareness campaigns  

·  A provincial platform to share ideas and perspectives

Nonprofit representatives can build relationships with Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs), Cabinet Ministers and public servants in the Alberta Government.

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2027 Alberta Provincial Election

2026 Alberta Referendum

Know your Election Cycle

Albertans elect 87 representatives to the Legislative Assembly across 87 regions of the Province, who go on to represent over 4 million Albertans. Elections occur every four years between March 1 and May 31, with the date chosen by the Premier. Elections can be a strategic time to demonstrate the importance of your issue to Albertans and push for political dialogue on the topic.

Your tactics to engage in policy advocacy should shift based on the current phase of the election cycle.

Election Year Tactics
Non-Election Year Tactics
Post Election Tactics

How to Speak to Politicians

MLAs are elected to listen to Albertans – and represent about 46,000 constituents on average! Their time may be limited so consider how to develop ongoing familiarity with relevant politicians, and key moments when you want their closest attention. Group settings like community events can be a good way develop familiarity, while engaging one-on-one, or with staff and administration, may be more appropriate for specific asks or collaborative initiatives.

Be prepared to speak about why your issue is important to Albertans (and evidence that it does!), why it should take precedence over other issues, why resourcing your issue would be prudent budgetary decision, and good news stories that could emerge from provincial support.

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Tips from Advocacy Experts

On November 14, 2024 Nonprofits Vote hosted Advocacy in Alberta Essentials - featuring Doug Schweitzer, Deron Bilous, Heather Klimchuk, and Mark Jacka, with Sabrina Grover as the moderator. They shared how nonprofits can communicate and build relationships with government to advocate effectively. Check out some of the clips below!

Know the Ministers

The Cabinet is made up of the Premier and Cabinet Ministers, who are MLAs of the governing party selected by the Premier. Ministers introduce and debate legislation for consideration by MLAs, and are the main drivers of government policies and priorities. They present plans and budgets for their areas of responsibility and obtain funding authorization for programs. Then they develop department programs and ensure laws administered by their Ministry are enforced

Know the Opposition

Members of the opposition are MLAs who are not part of the governing party. The role of the opposition is to hold the government accountable, criticize government activity, propose amendments to policies, present themselves to the public as an alternative to the party in office, and serve on Committees of the Legislative Assembly. They aim to ensure legislation is carefully considered and alternate views are expressed and debated.

  • MLA:
    David Shepherd

    Riding:
    Edmonton - City Centre

    Critic, Committee or Leadership Role:
    Deputy House Leader, Shadow Minister for Public Safety & Emergency Services

    Contact:
    780 414-0743
    edmonton.citycentre@assembly.ab.ca

  • MLA:
    Irfan Sabir

    Riding:
    Calgary - Bhullar - McCall

    Critic, Committee or Leadership Role:
    Deputy House Leader, Shadow Minister for Justice

    Contact:
    403 216-5424
    calgary.bhullar.mccall@assembly.ab.ca

  • MLA:
    Janet Eremenko

    Riding:
    Calgary - Currie

    Critic, Committee or Leadership Role:
    Shadow Minister for Mental Health and Addictions

    Contact:
    403 246-4794
    calgary.currie@assembly.ab.ca

  • MLA:
    Jasvir Deol

    Riding:
    Edmonton - Meadows

    Critic, Committee or Leadership Role:
    Shadow Minister for Infrastructure

    Contact:
    780 466-3737
    edmonton.meadows@assembly.ab.ca

  • MLA:
    Court Ellingson

    Riding:
    Calgary - Foothills

    Critic, Committee or Leadership Role:
    Shadow Minister for Finance

    Contact:
    403 216-5444
    calgary.foothills@assembly.ab.ca

  • MLA:
    Rhiannon Hoyle

    Riding:
    Edmonton - South

    Critic, Committee or Leadership Role:
    Shadow Minister for Jobs, Economy and Trade

    Contact:
    780 643-9153
    edmonton.south@assembly.ab.ca

  • MLA:
    Sarah Hoffman

    Riding:
    Edmonton - Glenora

    Critic, Committee or Leadership Role:
    Shadow Minister for Health

    Contact:
    780 455-7979   
    edmonton.glenora@assembly.ab.ca

  • MLA:
    Nagwan Al-Guneid

    Riding:
    Calgary - Glenmore

    Critic, Committee or Leadership Role:
    Shadow Minister for Energy and Minerals

    Contact:
    403 216-5421
    calgary.glenmore@assembly.ab.ca

  • MLA:
    Nicole Goehring

    Riding:
    Edmonton - Castle Downs

    Critic, Committee or Leadership Role:
    Shadow Minister for Tourism and Sport, His Majesty’s Loyal Opposition Liaison to the Canadian Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs

    Contact:
    780 414-0705
    edmonton.castledowns@assembly.ab.ca

  • MLA:
    Dr. Sarah Elmeligi

    Riding:
    Banff - Kananaskis

    Critic, Committee or Leadership Role:
    Shadow Minister for Environment and Protected Areas

    Contact:
    403 609-4509
    banff.kananaskis@assembly.ab.ca

  • MLA:
    Nathan Ip

    Riding:
    Edmonton - South West

    Critic, Committee or Leadership Role:
    Shadow Minister for Technology and Innovation

    Contact:
    780 415-8692   
    edmonton.southwest@assembly.ab.ca

  • MLA:
    Sharif Haji

    Riding:
    Edmonton - Decore

    Critic, Committee or Leadership Role:
    Shadow Minister for Affordability and Utilities

    Contact:
    780 414-1328   
    edmonton.decore@assembly.ab.ca

  • MLA:
    Kyle Kasawski

    Riding:
    Sherwood Park

    Critic, Committee or Leadership Role:
    Shadow Minister for Municipal Affairs

    Contact:
    780 417-4747   
    sherwood.park@assembly.ab.ca

  • MLA:
    Heather Sweet

    Riding:
    Edmonton - Manning

    Critic, Committee or Leadership Role:
    Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation

    Contact:
    780 414-0714
    edmonton.manning@assembly.ab.ca

  • MLA:
    Jodi Calahoo Stonehouse

    Riding:
    Edmonton - Rutherford

    Critic, Committee or Leadership Role:
    Shadow Minister for Forestry and Parks

    Contact:
    780 414-1311
    edmonton.rutherford@assembly.ab.ca

  • MLA:
    Lizette Tejada

    Riding:
    Calgary - Klein

    Critic, Committee or Leadership Role:
    Shadow Minister for Immigration and Multiculturalism

    Contact:
    403 216-5430   
    calgary.klein@assembly.ab.ca

  • MLA:
    Amanda Chapman

    Riding:
    Calgary - Beddington

    Critic, Committee or Leadership Role:
    Shadow Minister for Education, Assistant Deputy Whip

    Contact:
    403 215-7710  
    calgary.beddington@assembly.ab.ca

  • MLA:
    David Eggen

    Riding:
    Edmonton - North West

    Critic, Committee or Leadership Role:
    Shadow Minister for Advanced Education, Caucus Chair

    Contact:
    780 451-2345
    edmonton.northwest@assembly.ab.ca

  • MLA:
    Lori Sigurdson

    Riding:
    Edmonton - Riverview

    Critic, Committee or Leadership Role:
    Shadow Minister for Seniors, Continuing Care and Homecare

    Contact:
    780 414-0719   
    edmonton.riverview@assembly.ab.ca

  • MLA:
    Brooks Arcand-Paul

    Riding:
    Edmonton - West Henday

    Critic, Committee or Leadership Role:
    Shadow Minister for Indigenous Relations

    Contact:
    780 414-0711
    edmonton.westhenday@assembly.ab.ca

  • MLA:
    Diana Batten

    Riding:
    Calgary - Acadia

    Critic, Committee or Leadership Role:
    Shadow Minister for Children and Family Services

    Contact:
    403 640-1363
    calgary.acadia@assembly.ab.ca

  • MLA:
    Joe Ceci

    Riding:
    Calgary - Buffalo

    Critic, Committee or Leadership Role:
    Shadow Minister for Arts and Culture

    Contact:
    403 244-7737
    calgary.buffalo@assembly.ab.ca

  • MLA:
    Lorne Dach

    Riding:
    Edmonton - McClung

    Critic, Committee or Leadership Role:
    Shadow Minister for Transportation and Economic Corridors

    Contact:
    780 408-1860
    edmonton.mcclung@assembly.ab.ca

  • MLA:
    Gurinder Brar

    Riding:
    Calgary - North East

    Critic, Committee or Leadership Role:
    Shadow Minister for Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction

    Contact:
    587 318-2946
    calgary.northeast@assembly.ab.ca

  • MLA:
    Julia Hayter

    Riding:
    Calgary - Edgemont

    Critic, Committee or Leadership Role:
    Shadow Minister for Status of Women

    Contact:
    403 288-4453   
    calgary.edgemont@assembly.ab.ca

  • MLA:
    Marie Renaud

    Riding:
    St. Albert

    Critic, Committee or Leadership Role:
    Shadow Minister for Community and Social Services

    Contact:
    780 459-9113
    st.albert@assembly.ab.ca

  • MLA:
    Peggy Wright

    Riding:
    Edmonton - Beverly - Clareview

    Critic, Committee or Leadership Role:
    Shadow Minister for Labour, Caucus Vice-Chair

    Contact:
    780 476-6467   
    edmonton.beverlyclareview@assembly.ab.ca

  • MLA:
    Janis Irwin

    Riding:
    Edmonton - Highlands - Norwood

    Critic, Committee or Leadership Role:
    Shadow Minister for Housing, Deputy Whip

    Contact:
    780 414-0682
    edmonton.highlandsnorwood@assembly.ab.ca

  • MLA:
    Naheed Nenshi

    Riding:
    Edmonton - Strathcona

    Critic, Committee or Leadership Role:
    Leader of the Alberta New Democrat Party

    Contact:
    780 414-0702
    edmonton.strathcona@assembly.ab.ca

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