Day 24
Election Day: May 29, 2023
Latest Polls
- Mainstreet Research: UCP 50, NDP 44
Overview
A record-breaking 161,000 Albertans voted on the first day of advance voting. As of this afternoon, that number increased to a total of 268,000 ballots cast. Today, both parties are making their final case to voters as UCP and NDP party leaders made media appearances in Calgary. The leaders returned to key themes that launched their campaigns less than a month ago. For UCP leader Danielle Smith, that key message is about addressing affordability by cutting taxes. For NDP leader Rachel Notley, the key message is about fixing the health care crisis and choosing a Premier you can trust.
Today
- In Calgary, UCP leader Danielle Smith announced that Bill 1 under a re-elected UCP government would be the Taxpayer Protection Amendment Act. Proposed legislation would require that any increase in personal taxes or corporate taxes would first need to pass a referendum so all Albertans would have a say.
- In Calgary, NDP leader Rachel Notley held a media availability. The NDP leader began with prepared remarks making a final case to Albertans for an NDP government while highlighting her commitments regarding affordability, healthcare, education, and pensions. During questions, she defended her party’s plan to increase corporate taxes from the current 8% to 11%, a commitment that would fall one percentage point short of the rate that was in place under the previous NDP government.
- In Edmonton, NDP candidate Rakhi Pancholi (Edmonton-Whitemud) said that an NDP government would implement $10/day childcare across the province by the end of 2024. This plan would expedite the current 2026 target and expand the plan to include before-school and after-school care.
- An open letter signed by 190 emergency room doctors states that “our emergency departments are collapsing and front-line health-care workers have truly had enough”. The letter calls on Alberta’s next government to take action.
- In today’s media availability, UCP leader Danielle Smith said that Lacombe-Ponoka candidate Jennifer Johnson would not sit in the UCP caucus if elected after questions about her status in the party re-emerged. The UCP had indicated to media that the party cut off all candidate support, including access to funds, volunteers, and voter contact databases.
In the News
- Calgary Herald – “‘Capacity crisis’: Doctors pen open letter about ‘collapsing’ Alberta emergency rooms”
- The Canadian Press – “‘One of the deciding issues’: Health care top of mind in Alberta election campaign”
- Calgary Sun – “Bell: Notley — Smith no conservative but an extremist among extremists”
- Edmonton Journal – “David Staples: The party destined to win the Alberta election won’t be nearly as bad as you fear”
- The Canadian Press – “Danielle Smith says UCP government would prevent government from future tax hikes”
- The Canadian Press – “Smith says Jennifer Johnson won’t sit in caucus, decision final”
- Western Standard – “Airdrie NDP candidate supported ‘no more pipelines act’ at Supreme Court hearing in March”
- The Canadian Press – “Dustup between UCP and NDP candidates at advance poll in Lethbridge”
- Edmonton Sun – “NDP look to make up ground on UCP as final week of election starts with advanced polling”
- Global News – “Alberta election: Record numbers for advance polls”
- CBC News – “From communists to separatists, meet the other Alberta parties in this year’s election”
- Global News – “Alberta election fact check: How the UCP, NDP tax plans could affect Albertans”
- Global News – “Alberta election: 3 ridings outside Edmonton ‘just as crucial’ for NDP”
Campaign Announcements
UCP
NDP