Day 23
Election Day: May 29, 2023
Latest Polls
- Abacus Data: UCP 51, NDP 47
- Mainstreet Research: UCP 50, NDP 44
Overview
Advanced polls are now open. Both the UCP Leader and NDP Leader cast their ballots early. Electors can vote at any of the advance voting locations between today and Saturday, May 27. As of this afternoon, over 106,000 ballots are already cast. In the 2019 provincial election, approximately 696,000 advance ballots were cast, accounting for over a third of the total ballots. With less than a week to go, recent public polling points to increasing favourability for the UCP. Both campaigns are using this week to attempt to sway the remaining undecided vote with pointed communications. The undecided vote remains high, and pollsters suggest the number has increased over the course of the campaign.
Today
- UCP candidates Adriana LaGrange (Red Deer-North) and Nathan Cooper (Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills) made an announcement this morning. The announcement focused on providing opportunities for young people to build their careers. Promises included promoting career pathways in high schools by partnering with associations to increase career fairs, creating an online career counselling service, increasing funding for career and technology studies, and enhancing off-campus education opportunities.
- In Medicine Hat this afternoon, NDP candidates Shannon Phillips (Lethbridge-West), Gwendoline Dirk (Brooks-Medicine Hat), and Cathy Hogg (Cypress-Medicine Hat) held a media event drawing attention to “Danielle Smith’s Hidden Agenda.” The three NDP candidates focused on repeating existing NDP criticisms of the UCP leader’s past comments on health reform. They also spoke in support of maintaining the Canada Pension Plan and RCMP in Alberta.
- Over the long weekend, the NDP announced their plan to allocate $40 million to create more trails, campgrounds, playgrounds and amenities. The NDP has also committed to cancelling the K-Pass, banning coal mining on the Eastern Slopes, and introducing legislation to prevent parks from being delisted and sold.
- Yesterday, UCP candidate Nate Horner (Drumheller-Stettler) held an announcement highlighting UCP commitments to improve affordability. He drew attention to UCP commitments to cut income taxes, give tax credits to seniors, and continue the pause on the provincial gas tax.
- Jim Foster, a former Attorney General, is condemning Premier Danielle Smith following the release of the Ethics Commissioner’s report last week. He said the report vindicated his decision to support the NDP in this election. Foster was Attorney General in Peter Lougheed’s PC government. The NDP has enjoyed several endorsements from former PC government Ministers over the past week.
- The emergency wildfire situation continues. As of this afternoon, 69 wildfires remain active, with 20 burning out of control.
In the News
- Calgary Herald – “Former Alberta attorney general says Smith’s ethics breach may warrant criminal charge”
- Calgary Herald – “Students ‘can’t afford to sit this election out’ as tuition spike remains grating issue: U of C Students’ Union”
- Global News – “Alberta election: Party leaders take advantage of advance polls on opening day”
- Globe and Mail – “Breaking down UCP and NDP energy policies in Alberta”
- Edmonton Sun – “GUNTER: NDP will be able to trace its likely election defeat to corporate tax hike promise”
- Toronto Star – “Danielle Smith’s UCP leading slightly in tight Alberta election, according to poll”
- Edmonton Journal – “Alberta Wildfires: Rain already making a difference as city shuts down reception centre”
- Globe and Mail – “Debate over stability expected to dominate final days of Alberta election campaign”
- CBC News – “‘The neighbours are going to think we’re communists’: Voting progressive in rural Alberta”
- National Post – “Rex Murphy: Where is Alberta’s anti-Trudeau election uproar?”
- Globe and Mail – “Key affordability issues ignored by UCP and NDP in Alberta’s election”
- CBC News – “Most UCP supporters in Alberta more moderate than party: Vote Compass”
- Calgary Herald – “Braid: Smith takes blasts from all sides now, including Artur Pawlowski’s official new party”
- Calgary Sun – “KINSELLA: UCP Leader Danielle Smith successfully using Donald Trump’s playbook”
- Calgary Herald – “Still-undecided bloc key focus for parties as Alberta election enters homestretch”
- Western Standard – “LaGrange pledges to expand career development for students”
- Western Standard – “Morton: It’s time for Danielle Smith to finish the job”
Campaign Announcements
UCP
NDP