Premiers of Alberta

Premiers of Alberta
Post	Premier of Alberta
Incumbent	Danielle Smith
Incumbentsince	2022-10-11
Style	The Honourable
Seat	Edmonton
Appointer	Lieutenant Governor of Alberta
Termlength	At Majesty's pleasure
Formation	1905-09-01
Inaugural	Alexander Cameron Rutherford

Premiers of Alberta are the heads of the executive for the Canadian province of Alberta and the leaders of the provincial ministry. The office dates from Alberta's creation in 1905 alongside figures who shaped relations with Ottawa, including premiers who interacted with the Prime Minister and federal institutions. Premiers have steered provincial policy through interactions with the Lieutenant Governor, the Legislative Assembly of Alberta, the Progressive Conservative Association of Alberta, the United Conservative Party, the New Democratic Party, and earlier formations like the United Farmers of Alberta and Social Credit.

Overview

Alberta premiers have included leaders such as Alexander Cameron Rutherford, Herbert Greenfield, John E. Brownlee, William Aberhart, Ernest Manning, Harry Strom, Peter Lougheed, Don Getty, Ralph Klein, Ed Stelmach, Alison Redford, Jim Prentice, Rachel Notley, Jason Kenney, and Danielle Smith. They operate from the provincial capital of Edmonton and frequently engage with institutions like the Government of Canada, the Privy Council of Canada, the Supreme Court of Canada, and intergovernmental forums such as the Council of the Federation. Premiers negotiate resource and fiscal arrangements with federal counterparts including Prime Minister of Canada incumbents and interact with agencies like the Canada Revenue Agency and tribunals such as the Alberta Court of Appeal.

List of Premiers

A chronological roster begins with Alexander Cameron Rutherford (1905–1910) and continues through figures who led parties like the United Farmers of Alberta under Herbert Greenfield and the Social Credit Party of Alberta under William Aberhart and Ernest Manning. The Progressive Conservatives rose under Peter Lougheed and maintained dominance through Don Getty and Ralph Klein into the early 21st century, followed by a period including Ed Stelmach, Alison Redford, Jim Prentice, and interim leaders. The New Democratic Party under Rachel Notley formed government in 2015, succeeded by the United Conservative Party led by Jason Kenney and later Danielle Smith. Other notable leaders include John Brownlee, Herbert Greenfield, Harry Strom, and interim or short-tenure premiers who shaped specific reforms and legal decisions involving institutions such as the Alberta Human Rights Commission, the Energy Resources Conservation Board (now Alberta Utilities Commission), and the Alberta Health Services.

Powers and Responsibilities

The premier exercises executive authority via the provincial cabinet, appointing ministers to portfolios like Finance, Health, Education, and Energy. Premiers advise the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta on dissolving the Legislative Assembly and calling elections under rules influenced by the Constitution Act, 1867 and precedents from the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (historic). In areas such as natural resources, premiers negotiate with federal departments including Natural Resources Canada, crown corporations like Alberta Investment Management Corporation, and industry stakeholders such as Suncor Energy and Canadian Natural Resources Limited. They represent Alberta in interprovincial agreements alongside premiers of provinces like British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Ontario, and Quebec and in national forums including the Premiers' Conference and First Ministers' conferences with the Prime Minister of Canada.

Selection and Party Politics

Premiers are typically the leaders of parties with a legislative majority, chosen through party leadership contests in organizations such as the United Conservative Party and the New Democratic Party of Alberta. Historical parties include the Liberal Party of Alberta, the Progressive Conservative Association of Alberta, the Social Credit Party of Alberta, and the United Farmers of Alberta. Leadership selection mechanisms have involved delegated conventions, one-member-one-vote systems, and leadership reviews; notable contested leadership races involved figures like Ed Stelmach, Alison Redford, Jason Kenney, and Rachel Notley. Party discipline, backbench dynamics, and caucus confidence determine tenure, and scandals involving offices such as the RCMP investigations or ethics probes by the Alberta Ethics Commissioner have precipitated resignations or leadership changes.

Historical Milestones and Notable Administrations

Early milestones included the establishment of provincial control over resources after the 1930s and policy shifts under William Aberhart's social credit program and Ernest Manning's long premiership. Peter Lougheed spearheaded energy policy initiatives and constitutional negotiations during the era of the National Energy Program controversy with Pierre Trudeau, while Ralph Klein implemented fiscal austerity and municipal reforms affecting cities like Calgary. Alison Redford's tenure involved controversies over travel and expense that led to party upheaval; Rachel Notley's NDP government advanced labour and environmental measures affecting stakeholders such as the Alberta Federation of Labour and Pembina Institute. Jason Kenney campaigned on pipelines and Alberta’s oil sands, engaging firms like Trans Alta and regulators like the Alberta Energy Regulator. Administrations have faced constitutional litigation at the Supreme Court of Canada and federal-provincial disputes over equalization payments and trade disputes involving entities such as the Canadian Free Trade Agreement.

Residences and Symbols

The official residence has included locations such as Government House in Edmonton and other designated properties used for ceremonial functions; premiers use symbols like the Flag of Alberta and the Coat of arms of Alberta in official communications. Ceremonial honours and awards associated with premiers can involve institutions such as the Order of Alberta, and state events frequently include representatives from bodies like the Legislative Assembly of Alberta, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta’s office. Public addresses are often delivered from legislative venues such as Alberta Legislature Building and from municipal halls in Calgary or Red Deer during provincial tours.

Category:Alberta politics Category:Lists of Canadian political office-holders