Naheed Nenshi
Naheed Kurban Nenshi is a Canadian politician who has served as the leader of the Alberta New Democratic Party (NDP) since 2024 and as leader of the Official Opposition since 2025. He previously served as the 36th mayor of Calgary for three terms from 2010 to 2021.
Standing...
Stories...
Oct 6, 2026
Lean Left
The Alberta NDP leader is benefiting from a poll showing the UCP's independence referendum is boosting his party's standing.
Liberals quietly cheer Nenshi as the most credible federalist counterweight in Alberta, and his rise offers a model for how to beat back populist conservative movements in western Canada.
Oct 5, 2026
Center
The Alberta NDP leader is under attack from Smith over his federal counterpart's pipeline stance, forcing him to defend his party's position in the referendum campaign.
Centre voters see him as a pragmatic counterweight to Smith but worry he is being defined by federal NDP positions he does not control.
Oct 4, 2026
Center
Alberta NDP Leader is targeted by Premier Smith over his federal counterpart's pipeline stance, as he campaigns against the referendum.
Centrists view Nenshi as a pragmatic counterweight to Smith, but his association with federal NDP's pipeline opposition complicates his appeal in resource-dependent Alberta.
Sep 18, 2026
Far Left
Alberta NDP leader whose leadership was tested in the Calgary-Shaw by-election, which the NDP won.
The left sees the win as vindication of Nenshi's strategy to contest UCP-held seats and build NDP credibility in Alberta.
Sep 16, 2026
Center
The Alberta NDP leader is celebrating an unexpected by-election win in Calgary-Shaw, which he says was driven by voter concerns about the separation referendum.
Nenshi is being credited by centrists for capitalizing on UCP infighting and presenting the NDP as the stable, federalist alternative in a province where sovereignty talk is rising.
Aug 27, 2026
Center
Alberta NDP leader urges Premier Smith to cancel the referendum on separation, citing the need for national unity during the trade war.
Centre view applauds his call for unity but questions the feasibility of stopping a provincially initiated referendum.
Aug 9, 2026
Far Left
Alberta NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi is in the news opposing Danielle Smith's separatist flag politics and oil and gas cheerleading.
NDP/Green voters want Nenshi to offer a real progressive alternative to Smith's fossil-fuel-driven Alberta.
Jul 23, 2026
Far Right
Announced he will run in a Calgary riding for the 2027 election, claiming a desire to return home.
Viewed as a career politician cherry-picking a safe seat, not a grassroots leader.
Jul 22, 2026
Far Left
Alberta NDP leader opposes Smith's by-election delay and attacks UCP's contempt for democratic norms.
Seen as a key voice standing up to Smith's right-wing agenda and a potential future premier for NDP.
Jul 21, 2026
Lean Right
Apologized for his previous defense of Israel and Jews, drawing criticism from conservative commentator Rick Ekstein.
Conservatives view the apology as a betrayal of Jewish supporters and a surrender to anti-Israel activists.