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At an online news conference, Notley fought back tears, saying it has been an honour to represent the diverse people of her riding for almost 17 years.

"That community has given me such strength, and also given me so such knowledge,� he said.

"What I'm doing today is saying goodbye to those folks.�

Notley, a former labour lawyer, declined to detail what she plans to do in her post-political life, but again ruled out a run in federal politics. She also dismissed the possibility of entering municipal politics, or even leaving Alberta.

"I can't see myself ever leaving my community. Our roots here are so deep," she said.

Notley said she's leaving the party and caucus in a strong position under new leader Naheed Nenshi.

"Since our leadership race and our new leader, we've generated so much enthusiasm in terms of our membership and our activism. I'm proud that Alberta is not a one-party province. I'm proud that there is a voice for people who have felt that they didn't have a voice for so, so long," she said.

Nenshi, in a social media post, said, “You’ve often heard me describe Rachel as a once-in-a-lifetime politician. She grew our movement into government and now the largest opposition in the history of Alberta. And for that we are deeply grateful. 

“Since my selection, she has been extraordinarily generous and helpful, and I truly appreciate her guidance during my first legislative session."

United Conservative Premier Danielle Smith, asked about Notley at an unrelated news conference in Calgary, said, "When you look at the support that she got in her community during elections, people felt very well represented by her. 

“I'll look forward to seeing what her next steps are."

Notley stepped down as party leader earlier this year and was replaced in a membership vote by Nenshi, a former Calgary mayor.

Nenshi does not have a seat in the house. He declined to pursue a seat when the Lethbridge-West constituency opened up, with a byelection vote there set for next week. 

He has said he wouldn't rule out running in Edmonton. Notley deferred to Nenshi in making his decision. If he did run in Edmonton-Strathcona, after Notley and Raj Pannu, he would be the third NDP leader to do so.

"I will say that Edmonton-Strathcona has had two leaders of the party run in the riding, so why not more?" she said.

Notley, 60, served as Alberta’s 17 premier after the NDP won a majority government in 2015.

They served for four years before losing to Jason Kenney and the United Conservative Party in 2019 and again in 2023 to the UCP under Smith.

While in government, Notley raised the province’s minimum wage, cut child poverty, boosted labour standards and introduced more accessible child-care options. She introduced a consumer carbon tax, later replaced by a federal levy. She began phasing out coal-fired electricity, and earlier this year the last coal-generating station transitioned to natural gas. She appointed the country’s first gender-balanced cabinet.

There were also low points.

A bill ushering in new labour protections for farm workers prompted rural Albertans to march to the legislature with livestock and placards on pitchforks. Under her watch, the price of oil cratered, devastating the province’s finances.

Notley was also well known for heckling her opponents across the aisle in the legislature.

When asked Thursday what she might lob in the house if given one last chance, Notley said, "I might say something along the lines of 'Could you all just tell the truth just once?'"

This report by °µÍø½ûÇø was first published Dec. 12, 2024.