About Grant Notley

Walter Grant Notley was born on January 19, 1939 in Didsbury, Alberta. He received his early education in Westerdal, Olds, and Didsbury, and he received a BA degree in history from the University of Alberta in 1960.

Together with his political opponents Joe Clark, Jim Coutts and Ray Speaker he created a lively political scene at the University of Alberta. On July 6, 1963, he married Sandra Mary Wilkinson of Hancock, New Hampshire.

Grant Notley became provincial secretary of the New Democratic Party in 1962 and provincial leader in 1968. He was a candidate in Alberta provincial elections in 1963 and 1967, and in the 1969 by-election. He was elected to the Alberta Legislative Assembly in 1971 to represent Spirit River Fairview, and re-elected in 1975, 1979 and 1982.

In 1982 he became Leader of the Official Opposition. His political abilities and academic background served him well in leading caucuses in the federal New Democratic Party and in Alberta politics, and earned him the respect of supporters and opponents alike.

On October 19, 1984, Grant Notley died in an aircraft accident near High Prairie, Alberta.