Rachel Notley

Rachel Notley, 43, grew up in Fairview, Alberta, and is one of three children born to former Alberta NDP leader Grant Notley and his wife Sandy.

She was elected MLA for Edmonton Strathcona in the 2008 provincial election, succeeding former party leader Raj Pannu. Prior to being elected, Notley pursued a lengthy legal career focused on labour law, workers' compensation advocacy and workplace health and safety issues.

In the Legislature, Rachel has quickly developed a reputation as an intelligent, well-spoken and articulate defender of social issues including the treatment of children in government care, environmental and human rights issues.

Rachel holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science at the University of Alberta, and a law degree at Osgoode Hall Law School. After law school, Notley articled for Edmonton labour lawyer Bob Blakely, and worked for the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees representing members with Workers' Compensation Board cases.

In 1994, Notley moved to Vancouver where she worked for the Health Sciences Association of British Columbia. She also served for one year as a Ministerial Assistant to the provincial Attorney General, and was part of the team that expanded the application of B.C.'s family relations laws to same sex couples.

During her time in Vancouver, Notley was active with “Moms on the Move,” an organization that advocated for the rights of special needs children. She is also a past Board member of the Vancouver Community College.

Notley also acted as a representative of the B.C. labour movement in the negotiation and drafting of new workplace health and safety standards.

In 2002, Notley returned to Edmonton. She has held positions with the National Union of Public and General Employees, Athabasca University, and as a labour relations officer with the United Nurses of Alberta.

Rachel lives in Edmonton’s Old Strathcona neighbourhood, along with her husband Lou and their two children Ethan and Sophie.