CALGARY — Today, at the Party’s spring provincial council meeting, Naheed Nenshi, Leader of Alberta’s New Democrats, recognized and celebrated four respected members of caucus who will not be seeking re-election after their current term: Joe Ceci, Dr. Luanne Metz, Marlin Schmidt, and Lori Sigurdson.
“These remarkable individuals have dedicated their careers to public service and to building a better Alberta,” said Nenshi. “Their contributions, in and out of the Legislature, have made a lasting difference in the lives of Albertans.”
Joe Ceci (Calgary Buffalo) was first elected to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta in 2015. He served as Alberta’s Minister of Finance and President of the Treasury Board from 2015 to 2019, helping guide the province through the colossal drop in the world price of oil. Before entering provincial politics, Ceci spent 15 years on Calgary City Council and more than three decades strengthening communities through his work as a social worker and community leader. Throughout his career, he has been a strong advocate for inclusive communities, poverty reduction, and support for the arts.
Dr. Luanne Metz (Calgary-Varsity) was first elected to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta in 2023. As a neurologist and internationally recognized researcher, Metz brought an extraordinary career in medicine to her role as Shadow Minister for Health and later as Chair of The Future of Health Care, where she helped shape the Alberta NDP’s vision for strengthening the province’s public health-care system. She will continue to support this work after her departure from office.
Marlin Schmidt (Edmonton-Gold Bar) was first elected to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta in 2015. He has represented Edmonton-Gold Bar since 2015 and served as Minister of Advanced Education from 2016 to 2019. During his time in cabinet, he improved affordability for students by modernizing the post-secondary system and freezing tuition, helping make education more accessible to Albertans. A scientist by training, Schmidt has also been a vocal advocate for protecting Alberta’s environment and public institutions.
Lori Sigurdson (Edmonton-Riverview) was first elected to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta in 2015. Before entering provincial politics, Sigurdson was a social worker, educator, and leader in her profession, receiving multiple awards recognizing her contributions to social policy, social justice, and the labour movement. She served as Minister of Innovation and Advanced Education and Job Skills Training and Labour from 2015 until February 2016, and as Minister of Seniors and Housing from 2016 to 2019, where she oversaw the first steps to increasing Alberta’s minimum wage, led the inclusion of farm and ranch workers under WCB coverage, created the Office of the Seniors Advocate, and brought forward Alberta’s first-ever provincial affordable housing strategy.
“I want to thank Joe Ceci, Dr. Luanne Metz, Marlin Schmidt, and Lori Sigurdson for the tangible and immeasurable ways they have made Alberta better,” said Nenshi.
“Before their time in elected office, each of them demonstrated a deep commitment to community service and improving the lives of others, and they carried that same dedication into public life.
“There is no doubt they will continue to contribute to their communities in meaningful ways in the years ahead. On behalf of our entire caucus, we thank them for their service and wish them every success in their next chapter.”
All four MLAs will continue to represent their constituents and serve Albertans as Members of the Legislative Assembly until the end of their current term.
Alberta’s New Democrats have already nominated 21 candidates ahead of the next provincial election. Nomination dates for these four ridings will be announced in the weeks to come.