2014 Alberta New Democratic Party leadership election
The 2014 Alberta New Democratic Party leadership election was prompted by Brian Mason's announcement on April 29, 2014 that he was resigning as leader of the Alberta New Democratic Party after a decade in the position. For the first time, rather than selecting the leader through a delegated convention, all NDP members were eligible to vote. A weighted voting system was used in which ballots cast by members were weighted to at least 80 per cent of the total, and votes from trade unions and other affiliated organizations were weighted at a  maximum of 20 per cent. To be nominated, a candidate had to obtain 50 signatures from party members and make a non-refundable $5,000 deposit. Individuals could not donate more than $15,000 and contributions in excess of $100 were publicly reported. Candidates could not accept donations from publicly traded corporations with more than 100 employees. MLA for Edmonton-Calder (2004-2008, 2012–present), served as executive director of Alberta Friends of Medicare (2008-2012). Has served as NDP critic for Agriculture and Food, Environment, K-12 Education, Sustainable Resource Development, and Tourism and Culture. Former teacher. NDP candidate  in Edmonton-Ellerslie (2012) receiving 16% of the vote and the NDP's nominee in that riding for the next election. He works as academic programs co-ordinator at the University of Alberta and also President of the Non-Academic Staff Association (NASA) at the university. Loyola, 40, is also the chair of Public Interest Alberta's Post-Secondary Education task force, a spoken-word poet and executive board member Friends of Medicare and the Knottwood Community League, and founding member of the Mill Woods Artists Collective. MLA for Edmonton-Strathcona, (2008–present), NDP House Leader and variously Critic for  Enterprise & Advanced Education, Environment & Sustainable Resource Development, Justice & Solicitor General, and Human Services; labour lawyer, daughter of Alberta NDP leader Grant Notley (1969–1984).