Notley Nation: How Alberta's Political Upheaval Swept the Country

by Sydney Sharpe, Don Braid

#1 Edmonton Journal Bestseller! • 2017 Alberta Literary Awards, the Wilfrid Eggleston Award for Nonfiction ― Winner

Rachel Notley’s dramatic triumph over Alberta’s Conservative regime was an early rumble before the Trudeau landslide.

Alberta has long been seen as politically paralyzed. But it has always been a cauldron of discontent, producing the Reform Party, the Wildrose movement, the modern Conservative Party of Canada, and Stephen Harper. Notley Nation tells how this pent-up energy exploded in an unexpected direction with Rachel Notley’s NDP victory.

Stereotypes of redneck Alberta have long been at odds with the province’s growing progressive streak. The political upheaval that swept conservatism out of office in 2015 had shown its first tremors there five years earlier. Progressive mayors were elected in Calgary and Edmonton, and soon it became clear that the province’s PC government was falling out of touch with modern Alberta.

Political journalists Sydney Sharpe and Don Braid explore how the Alberta NDP ended a forty-three-year Conservative dynasty that proved incapable of adapting to forces beyond its control or understanding. That wave would soon spread across the country, sweeping Justin Trudeau into office.

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction, Canada, Biography, History

256 pages, Paperback

Published November 29, 2016

Reviews

[Jennie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was at turns frustrated by and pleased with this book. About halfway through I found myself confused and annoyed by the authors' choice about how to carve up this story--I didn't need a chronological narrative per se, but I had been hoping for some sort of a clear throughline with the beginning, middle, and end that make any book more enjoyable to read, fiction or non-fiction. But especially in the second half of the book--and most especially in the chapter that focused on pipelines--I actually did learn a lot of new stuff, despite being someone who pays pretty close attention to Alberta politics and how it affects and is affected by the rest of the country. (And let's be frank: the subject matter was always going to be interesting enough to carry pretty much any halfway decently written book. This is a freaking great story.)

Anyway, in the end it did turn out to be a pretty clear three-star book, even though I wasn't always convinced as I was reading that that was where I was going to end up. It's recommended, just don't expect genius. Mostly, I'm just glad this book exists.

[Kendra · Rating 5 out of 5]

What's been happening over in Alberta politically? How did they elect their first NDP government, outing the decades-long rule of the Progressive Conservatives? Find out in this witty and broad-ranging analysis of the recent election. I am much better educated in Alberta/western politics now that I've read this book.

[Julia O'Hanley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not entirely factually correct (ie. incorrect date of Trudeau cabinet swearing in), some points were repeated, way too much about the federal election near the end. Some good background context to the politics of the last 100 years, but the notion that Notley (who often does not get the credit she deserves within AB) had the kind of national impact expressed throughout is childish.

[Jane Mulkewich · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to my dad for giving me this book, and I chose to read it while I was visiting Alberta. It was good to learn more about how the trends in Alberta starting with the election of Naheed Nenshi as mayor of Calgary in 2010 (the first Muslim mayor of a major North American city, six years before Sadiq Khan was elected mayor of London, England), and then the election of Rachel Notley's NDP government in Alberta in 2015, and a brief discussion of the federal NDP convention in Alberta in 2016 (which I attended). But I think the authors' premise about Alberta's politics "sweeping the country" as the title says is over-stated... or else those of us from outside of Alberta would not have so much to learn. Also curious about the title is "Notley Nation" which is terminology that Albertans don't use, and seems to be a reference to "Ford Nation" in Toronto, but is not explained or discussed. Much food for thought here on everything from climate change policy to the use of social media in election campaigns, but the book could have been more tightly written and/or edited.

[Jake · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

This book is an overview of the 2015 NDP victory in Alberta. A shot by shot account of the party's ascension is laid out early, followed by an analysis of the social and economic forces that instigated PC defeat and NDP success. While the book leans favourably towards the policies of the NDP government, it praises the party's pragmatic approach of collaborating with the federal government, and the implications that the new Alberta government will have on the rest of Canada. The text is exceptionally well-written and accessible for causal and academic readers, I only wish the authors waited an additional year or two to provide room for more objective hindsight to measure NDP policies.

[Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a superb overview of recent developments in Alberta's political history and the evolution of that province's progressive forces in recent years. While the argument that Notley's mid-2015 victory was analogous to or laid the groundwork for Justin Trudeau's late-2015 win isn't always well supported or articulated, the book nonetheless offers a great deal of insight and analysis into the fall of Alberta's PC dynasty and the trials and tribulations of their first NDP government. Also has some good sections on campaigns, climate policy & pipelines, and gender in politics. Will definitely be an election to watch closely, in 2019 or earlier.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am usually not interested in anything political but I am enjoying this book. It touches on federal, and city politics as well as Alberta's recent polical upheaval. Easily readable and interesting.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really well written. Highly recommend.

[Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full review to come