May 17, 2023
Latest Polls
- IPSOS: UCP 48, NDP 45
- Angus Reid Institute: UCP 51, NDP 43
- Abacus Data: UCP 46, NDP 49
- Mainstreet Research: UCP 49, NDP 45
Overview
The eve of the leaders’ debate finds both parties on the defensive. The UCP are focusing on criticism of the NDP corporate tax rate hike and its economic questions, with two UCP candidates holding a media event today to further criticize the NDP’s proposed increase (three other UCP candidates held a similar event yesterday). The NDP meanwhile is calling for the resignation of a UCP candidate over comments made last fall. Both items are likely to appear again in tomorrow night’s sole leaders’ debate. While there’s been some volatility in recent polling, with both parties having some upside depending on the poll in question, all indications continue to suggest a close race.
Today
- UCP candidates Devin Dreeshen (Innisfail-Sylvan Lake) and Demetrios Nicolaides (Calgary-Bow) made an announcement once again calling into question the NDP plan to raise corporate taxes. They also highlighted NDP candidate’s support for raising taxes. The NDP’s tax plan has provided significant opportunity for opponents to critique their plan. The UCP released a new ad reminding Albertans of how investment fled the province when they formed government in 2015.
- NDP candidates David Shepherd and Cam Heenan announced the NDP plan to improve EMS response times by growing capacity. The NDP will expand the Community Paramedic Program by funding 16 new units, offering paramedics a $10,000 signing bonus, creating 10,000 new post-secondary training spaces, and supporting existing community response units.
- UCP Leader Danielle Smith and Alberta Party Leader Barry Morishita are set to attend a local candidate debate tonight in Medicine Hat, where both are running for the Brooks-Medicine Hat seat. The two, along with NDP candidate Gwendoline Dirk, all previously faced off in a recent November 2022 byelection, which the UCP leader won with 54% of the vote.
- The emergency wildfire situation continues. As of this afternoon, 91 wildfires remain active, with 27 burning out of control.
In the News
- National Post – “Jesse Kline: Rachel Notley’s 38% tax hike would be a death blow to Alberta prosperity”
- Edmonton Journal – “Alberta Election 2023: Smith, Notley set to square off in leaders debate”
- CTV News – “‘Business cannot be an afterthought’: Lethbridge Chamber hosts Alberta election forum featuring local candidates”
- Global News – “Alberta election: Non-incumbent candidates in Lethbridge look to flip votes”
- Global News – “Alberta wildfires: Government asking public employees to become volunteer firefighters”
- The Canadian Press – “Alberta UCP candidate says sorry for comparing transgender students to feces in food”
- Globe and Mail – “Smoke from wildfires raging in northern Alberta descends on Calgary”
- National Post – “Rahim Mohamed: NDP stoop to deception in bid to beat Danielle Smith”
- Edmonton Journal – “GUNTER: Alberta NDP tax plan will eventually hurt the middle class the most”
- Global and Mail – “Western Canada: Alberta election frontrunner still unclear midway through campaign as wildfires rage through province”
- Global News – “Alberta election race still close between UCP, NDP but 43% of voters say debate to play factor: poll”
- CityNews – “Alberta election hinges on Calgary, younger voters: research”
- The Washington Post “Calgary smothered in wildfire smoke, as plumes surge into Lower 48 states”
- Edmonton Journal – “Opinion: Charter schools are public education too”
- The Hill Times – “Alberta election will provide insight into Canadian tolerance for extremism”
- Calgary Sun – “Bell: Bam! UCP’s Danielle Smith sounds off on NDP’s Rachel Notley”
Campaign Announcements
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