I think Notley knows that.  There's no other explanation for her decision to implement a carbon tax, increase income taxes and dramatically increase the minimum wage in the middle of a serious recession.  The NDP knows better than anyone that their election (with a majority, no less) was a fluke, and they have one term to check off all the items on their bucket list.

The NDP was a one term wonder in Ontario, of all places.  It's highly unlikely to be more than that in Alberta.