2014 Alberta NDP leadership race
On July 21, 2014, Rod Loyola announced his intention to run as leader of the Alberta New Democratic Party. He competed for the spot alongside David Eggen and Rachel Notley. Upon making this announcement, he wanted to focus on making sure that vulnerable and marginalized populations, including Indigenous people and newcomers to Canada, were better represented in the legislature. [4] He also was concerned about privatization of public services and the harmful impacts of cuts to education, which Loyola believed worsens inequality in society. [8]
In the results of the leadership vote held on October 18, 2014, Rachel Notley ultimately prevailed with 70 percent of the vote, David Eggen in second place, and Loyola placing third. [5]
MLA for Edmonton-Ellerslie
Since first being elected as a Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta in 2015, Loyola has served on a number of Legislative Committees, which include Public Accounts, Resource Stewardship, Alberta Heritage Savings Trust Fund, Ethics and Accountability, Privileges and Elections, Legislative Offices, and Alberta's Economic Future. [12]
As MLA, he advocated on behalf of his constituents to allow turban-wearing Sikhs the right to ride motorcycles without helmets. Brian Mason, then Minister of Transportation, granted an exemption on religious grounds in 2018. [13]
An avid soccer fan, Loyola wanted the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission to temporarily extend the hours that licensed bars and restaurants can be open to serve patrons during the 2018 World Cup games so they could enjoy seeing the game live. Joe Ceci, then the Minister of Finance, approved the temporary extension in time for the games. [14] [15]
In 2021, Loyola also successfully advocated for his constituents with cystic fibrosis to grant access to new life-saving drugs like Trikafta, making sure it's on the list of Alberta-approved drugs. [16]
After the Alberta New Democratic Party shifted from being in government to Official Opposition in 2019, Loyola has served in a number of shadow cabinet roles. Between 2019 and 2021, Loyola served as Critic for Transportation. [17] As Transportation critic, he advocated on behalf of the survivors of the Humboldt Broncos bus crash for better safety standards for bus seatbelts and training requirements for truck drivers. [18] [19] [20]
As an MLA representing a riding in the south side of Edmonton, he has advocated for the construction of a new hospital in south Edmonton, which has been met with delays ever since the United Conservative Party took power in 2019. [21]
Following the 2023 Alberta general election, Loyola was named Alberta’s Economic Future Committee Deputy Chair. [22] After Naheed Nenshi was elected leader of the Alberta NDP in 2024, Loyola was named Co-Chair of Outreach as part of the Leader's Senior Advisory Team. [23]
Loyola resigned his seat on March 25, 2025, and announced he would be running in the 2025 Canadian federal election, as the Liberal candidate for the newly formed electoral district of Edmonton Gateway riding. [24] [25] The by-election to replace him is scheduled for June 23, 2025. [26] Loyola was removed as a candidate by the Liberal Party on April 3, 2025, after comments in 2009 supporting Hamas and Hezbollah, listed terrorist organizations in Canada, surfaced in the media. [27]
