Election Day in Alberta - Will it Change the Political Landscape?

After twenty eight days on the campaign trail, Albertans head to the polls today.  The election is seen as a referendum on the leadership of Alison Redford, Progressive Conservative,  perceived by many as a bureaucrat and Danielle Smith of the Wildrose Party.

Redford was elected leader of the Progressive Conservatives, which have been in power for 41years, after Gary  Mar, a former PC cabinet minister, won the first two ballots, but did not reach the 50% threshold required.  Redford edged ahead on Mar, after the second choices of the third placed candidate were counted.

 After appointing Gary Mar as Alberta's envoy to Hong Kong, Redford ordered the probe and suspended Mar without pay when it was revealed that Mar had allegedly used his office to promote a fundraising event to pay off debts incurred running against Redford in last year's PC leadership race.

Redford had initially asked the Ethics Commissioner to lead the probe, however when he advised Redford that he didn't have the jurisdiction she assigned the case to Peter Watson, who works out of the Premier's office. 

The Rutherford show revealed that Gary Marhad been cleared of ethics violations and reinstated as Alberta's envoy to Hong Kong.  Rutherford quoted anonymous sources.  Alison Redford, who suspended Mar without pay said she had no knowledge of his reinstatement.

 "I didn't know it had been resolved until I heard that it was on Rutherford this morning.  We put in place that process because it is a public service circumstance. It's something that Peter Watson has been dealing with. I haven't been made aware of it so I have no comment on it."

During Redford's campaign there were allegations of doctor and school board intimidation, a refusal to hold a public inquiry on health care delivery and the famous "Do Nothing Committee".  The committee collected $1000 a month and never met for 39 months.  There is also the issue of high voltage transmission lines and property rights.  Let's not forget the Tory get away prior to passing resumption of the legislature.

Redford felt it was important to pass a budget prior to the 28 day election campaign, yet she didn't campaign on it, instead she has made millions in additional promises, without a plan to pay for them. 

While the Progressive Conservative Party in Alberta has been touted, by the national media as a centre of right party, this is no longer the case.  Under Redford the party has placed more emphasis on the "Progressive" label.

Redford says she wants to change the "character" of Alberta.  She has come across as one who knows what is best for Albertans.  PC Party Platform

Redfords main opponent, Danielle Smith, Wildrose Party has run a well organized campaign. The campaign rolled out its platform early, which was based on fiscal responsibility, a balanced budget,  a family pack, an Alberta Energy Dividend, a "Wait time Guarantee" and the Alberta Accountability Act.  Read More Here.

Smith also faced her share of controversies. She refused to criticize two Wildrose candidates after they made, what could be considered, racist and anti-gay comments.  She stated that she was both pro choice and pro gay marriage and that a Wildrose government would not legislate on conscience issues, since those issues were protected in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.  Nonetheless the fear mongering continued. Yet Redford has MLAs with similar views.

She attracted more criticism in the last week of the campaign for stating that the scientific debate over climate change still hadn't been settled.  She did however state that this was not a reason not to act on climate change.  That part was lost on the national media. 

The Liberal leader Raj Sherman and NDP leader Brian Mason have run a robust campaign.  Both parties say that neither the PC or Wildrose Party can be trusted.  Raj Sherman made a last effort Robocall last night, bashing both leading parties, stating that he would fix health care and "Alberta I have your back."  There has been some talk on strategic voting.  It is not clear how that would play out overall.

What is clear that there will be much larger voter turn-out than in the last election, where only 40% of voters turned out.  For 41 years the Tory Party ruled Alberta and in today's election there is a viable contender. 

Be sure to vote today.  For information on polls across Alberta check out the Elections Alberta Webiste.


PARTY PLATFORMS

Wildrose Eyes Majority


Even if the party were to take 30 seats in rural and small-city Alberta – a conservative estimate – they’d need to win only 14 seats in Calgary and Edmonton to take the province, Mr. Taras said.
Edmonton, which has traditionally been a hotbed of progressive support, is also facing several four-and even fiveway races, making it highly unpredictable.
In Calgary, however, Wildrose is polling well ahead of the Tories.
The Tories, on the other hand, must hold Calgary if they are to prevent a majority Wildrose government.
“Calgary is the place you gotta win, and that’s the difference,” he said.
However, some polling data suggest even Ms. Redford’s affluent downtown seat in Calgary-Elbow may not be safe.
“She’s in the crosshairs,” Mr. Taras said.
Ms. Redford denied her constituency was so divided, saying she had good support from the community.  National Post

Alberta Leader's Debate - No Clear Winner

Alberta's Leaders appeared in a 90 minute media moderated debate last night.  Although there was no clear winner, Progressive Conservative leader Alison Redford, who appeared confident at the beginning of the debate, appeared rattled during the final segment.  41 years of Tory rule had taken their toll.  Redford, who found it necessary to pass a budget prior to dropping the writ, did not run on her budget, but had introduced an additional $1 Billion of spending in her election platform.  Brian Mason's New Democrats had introduced a platform that is costed at $1.9 Billion, Raj Sherman's Liberals platform at $820 Million, while Danielle Smith's platform is estimated to cost $308 Million. The figures have been provided by the Canadian Taxpayer Association Party Platform Spending .

With this background, the leaders fast questions and challenged each other.  While the debate was seen to be a contest between Alison Redford and Danielle Smith, Redford soon came under fire by Liberal leader Raj Sherman and the NDPs Brian Mason.  The format consisted of an opening statement by each leader of 45 seconds.  Questions were limited to 20 seconds with answer at 45 seconds, with a 30 second response, followed by an open debate.  The debate concluded with 45 second closing statement.  For the  most part leaders were polite, withe the odd dig.  Overall there was no knock out punch that would give any leader a clear win.

This was good news for Wildrose Leader Danielle Smith, since Redford spend most of the night on the defensive, dealing with the "Do Nothing Committtee", physician intimidation, approving a controversial transmission line,  voting for a 30% pay raise for herself.

Smith put in a strong performance, deflecting criticism on conscience issues and citizen intiatives.  When pressed on social issues like abortion and same sex marriage, Smith said that her party would not legislate or have policies on contentious social issues such as abortion and same-sex marriage.

"It's nothing but fear-mongering by a government that's on the run," she said.

These issues have been settled decades ago and for any party to raise them is bogus.  Not only are those rights guaranteed in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

There was little discussion on policy issues, although Health Care received some air time.  Brian Mason, NDP Leader accused both Conservative parties of wanting to privatize health care.  There was no discussion on the environment, the oilsands and specifically the construction of both the Northern Gateway and XL Keystone pipeline.

Raj Sherman at one point made a statement to Danielle Smith, which was odd.  "Danielle Alberta is not Alabama."  Thanks Raj, but we already knew,

Overall there was no clear winner of the debate, but Redford was unable to convince voters that she should continue as leader. In the end the debate probably helped Danielle Smith.  The knives should come out for the next ten days.

Alberta Election - Liberals Reveal Carbon Levy Plan

 A federal carbon tax or cap and trade system has been rejected by Albertans in the past.  In that context the Alberta government imposed a carbon tax forcing companies that emit more than 100,00 tons of greenhouse gases annually to either reduce CO2 emissions per barrel by 12%, pay $15 per tonne into a technology fund or buy an offset against total emissions.  The money remains in Alberta.  With that background, Raj Sherman, Leader of the Alberta Liberal Party, has revealed a plan, which he says, which would generate $1.8 Billion for research and green transportation initiatives.  The plan would be based on actual emissions.

"This announcement is a visionary announcement to green our economy (and) help improve Alberta's reputation with respect to carbon. Half of the money goes back to industry, to retool industry, to make sure they deal with their carbon issues, and half of it goes to green transportation for Alberta municipalities. What does that mean for Edmonton and Calgary? Three hundred mil-lion dollars a year that they can use for LRT or green transportation," said the Liberal leader.

The Alberta Oilsands have been the target of environmental activists and Raj Sherman's proposal is hoped to address this with making the oilsands more acceptable.  In some circles there is the belief that a carbon levy only enables emitters to sell off their emissions, accomplishing absolutely nothing when it comes to carbon reduction.

Sherman's vision sees a third of the levy proceeds to go to Edmonton and Calgary, while the remainder would go back to the industry to invest in green technology cleanup.  

While the emphasis should be on reducing carbon emissions, the allocation of the proceeds does little for rural Albertans, of which many still use unsafe gravel country roads.  Since this levy will be collected for all Albertans, some of that money should also be allocated to municipalities other than the two largest cities in the Province.  Perhaps a priority could be established to improve country roads and also to improve wireless service to rural communities.  

While the cities have necessarily the largest voice and of course votes, there are still over half a million rural Albertans.   It would be incumbent on any government to spread the wealth throughout the province and provide some infrastructure improvements.

We live in a Province that has a tremendous amount of wealth and resources, yet rural communities are often neglected.  Many rural Albertans have no rural mail delivery and by necessity use poor roads, often unsafe, to get their groceries, mail, healthcare and travel to work.  Perhaps it is time for those in the legislature to pay some attention to rural Albertans. 

Back to the carbon levy.   It is unlikely that any conservative voters would be swayed by this announcement, nor will it sway those voting for the New Democrats to move into the Liberal party camp.   

Also on the campaign trail on Tuesday were New Democratic Party Leader Brian Mason and Progressive Conservative Party Leader Alison Redford.  Mason talked to medical professionals and students at Concordia University, promising that his party would create a sustainable future for students.  Redford made more promises, focusing on advanced education.  She promised $650 Million that would enhance post-secondary facilities over three years, with a $650 million capital project.  $170 Million would be allocated to Norquest College, while $200 Million would go to the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) to replace aging buildings in the business and health departments. 

Wildrose Party Leader Danielle Smith took a day off from the elections campaign.

Expect more promises as Alberta moves closer to the April 23rd election.