May 16, 2023
Latest Polls
- Janet Brown Opinion Research: UCP 51, NDP 40
- Abacus Data: UCP 41, NDP 51
- Mainstreet Research: UCP 49, NDP 45
Overview
The reality of Alberta’s wildfires is sinking in across the province today as smoke rolled into Calgary and Edmonton, significantly decreasing air quality. While the two major cities have been spared from the wildfires to date, both cities are now subject to air quality warnings given smoke and risks from exposure to particles. Local campaigns in Calgary have largely suspended door knocking activities today as a result. On the campaign trail, the NDP released their platform costing which projects a continued government surplus for each of the next three years. Their plan, particularly the corporate tax increase, was criticized by the UCP both online and at an event held by UCP candidate Brian Jean. The back and forth between the parties on corporate taxes and economic track records today sets the stage for Thursday night’s televised debate between Danielle Smith and Rachel Notley, where the topic will no doubt be revisited.
Today
- NDP candidate Shannon Philips (Lethbridge-West) and economist Todd Hirsch released a costed economic plan this morning. The plan predicts a $3.3 billion surplus over three years and includes commitments to increase the corporate tax rate from the current 8% to 11% with revenue projected to increase by $6.2 billion. The plan also commits to helping family budgets, ending the crisis in healthcare, hiring teachers and supporting post-secondary education, and supporting economic diversification and growth initiatives. The NDP maintain that, even with their proposed tax hike, Alberta will still have the lowest corporate tax rate among provinces in Canada.
- UCP Leader Danielle Smith visited voters in her riding of Brooks-Medicine Hat today. The UCP took aim at the NDP’s proposed business tax increase, saying the 38% tax increase would “chase businesses, jobs, and investment out of Alberta.” In Calgary, UCP candidates Brian Jean (Fort McMurray-Lac La Biche), Chantelle de Jonge (Chestermere-Strathmore), and Pamela Rath (Calgary-Mountain View) held an event criticizing the NDP track record on the economy.
- The emergency wildfire situation continues. As of this afternoon, 87 wildfires remain active, with 25 burning out of control.
In the News
- Calgary Sun – “Gunter: Alberta NDP’s claims it is pro-growth not reflected in the party’s election promises”
- Calgary Herald – “Braid: A plague of five-alarm fires threatens communities, lives and the government”
- CBC – “The NDP would make corporate tax rates Alberta’s new revenue roller-coaster”
- Toronto Star – “Why prominent Alberta conservatives are supporting Rachel Notley’s NDP”
- CTV News – “Alta. oilpatch once again shuts in some production as wildfires rage”
- Toronto Star – “Would ‘Premier Notley’ be friend or foe to Justin Trudeau and Jagmeet Singh?”
- Edmonton Journal – “Opinion: Make fixing Alberta’s primary health care an election issue”
- Global News – “Alberta election: NDP economic plan predicts $3B surplus over 3 years”
- The Globe and Mail – “The conservative weakness for contrarianism has driven a lot of them crazy”
- Red Deer Advocate – “UCP Lacombe-Ponoka candidate Jennifer Johnson faces criticism over transphobic comments”
- CHAT News Today – “NDP candidates not participating in Medicine Hat election forums”
- National Observer – “Affordability is top of mind in Alberta election — but UCP and NDP are weak on housing”
- Western Standard – “University study claims the UCP and Alberta NDP are weak on housing”
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