Skeena – Bulkley Valley MP Nathan Cullen is celebrating the "orange wave" that swept over Alberta resulting in a majority NDP government in the province, saying it bodes well for the party's chances heading into this year's federal election.
"After 44 years, nobody thought it was possible to beat the Progressive Conservatives to form government and nobody thought the NDP would do it, yet Rachel Notley and the NDP did it. We beat the separatists in Quebec, we beat the Conservatives in Alberta. I think this shows that anything is possible," he said, noting the win shatters a lot of criticism that could be levelled at the party.
"Since before I was born people have said the NDP couldn't form government and people have tried to say how scary and NDP government could be, but if people in Alberta are not afraid of the prospect NDP government then that argument is completely lost to our opponents."
Despite the excitement in the federal caucus, which Cullen said was in sharp contrast to the mood of the Conservative caucus following the win, the MP said the party is not taking anything for granted.
"There is noting automatic in politics ... we have fought for everything we get as New Democrats because nothing is ever guaranteed," he said.
As for what the NDP win means for the controversial Enbridge Northern Gateway project, Cullen said he feels as though it went from "a whisper of a hope to no hope at all". However, despite Alberta Premier-designate Notley's outspoken opposition to the project, Cullen said he remains staunchly opposed to the idea of shipping oil by rail.