Alberta Election - update

Smoky Lake Signal Article No 207 (February 8, 2012)

Whispering in the Wind

Alberta Election Preparations

Nominations –
For at least some of Alberta’s political parties the nomination process is fast drawing to a conclusion, the Alberta PC team should have all 87 of its nominees in place by the end of this week and as of February 6th: the Alberta Party has nominated 13 candidates in Alberta’s 87 constituencies; the new (in name only) EverGreen party has 1 candidate in Alberta’s 87 constituencies; the Liberals are at 34 / 87; the NDP are at 74 / 87; the PCs are at 85 / 87; and the Wildrose are at 81 / 87. I still think that the NDP, PC, and Wildrose parties will offer a full slate of candidates when the election is called – although the New Democratic Party seems to be dragging its feet in some areas and that could mean some strategic thinking opposite the Liberal’s nominees?

The Electorate’s Mood –
The latest opinion polls are all suggesting that Alison Redford’s PC party is well in front of her closest rival, Danielle Smith and the Wildrose party. Actually, the three “published” polls taken in January indicate a significant margin of support favoring Alison Redford’s Progressive Conservatives with an average 46 percent popular support. Danielle Smith’s Wildrose garnered an average of 23 percent support with Brian Mason’s NDP and Raj Sherman’s Liberals each getting about 12 percent support. Glenn Taylor, former Mayor of Hinton, heads up the Alberta Party and is supported by 3 percent of the polling vote. At this stage of the election campaign I feel the polls only reflect the public’s attitude toward the party leaders – since Albertans are only starting to hear about issues and party platforms regarding the issues. As well, Albertans don’t know (or know very little) about many of the individual candidates running, so at this stage in the campaign, Alison Redford has got to be elated at what the polls are reflecting.

Local Constituency –
For those living (and voting) in the Smoky Lake area, the Athabasca – Sturgeon – Redwater constituency is particularly relevant. In Smoky Lake, the campaign will include Alberta PC incumbent Jeff Johnson, Minister of Infrastructure in Alison Redford’s cabinet. Running against Mr. Johnson are; Travis Olson of the Wildrose Party and Mandy Melnyk of the NDP. Jeff has often been seen in the Smoky Lake area and is expected to be seen again and again as the campaign progresses – hopefully with some positive pronouncements. Travis Olson is from Athabasca and was in Smoky Lake last week along with Danielle Smith. I look forward to hearing from Mr. Travis Olson again with some ideas on how he can contribute to the Smoky Lake region. Mandy Melnyk, the NDP’s candidate for the constituency is from and has family the Waskatenau area. Ms. Melnyk has already opined in The Smoky Lake Signal, giving her critical opinions on Alberta’s de-regulated power industry. To get to know the individual candidates better and how they can contribute to the Smoky Lake region, the Smoky Lake and District Chamber of Commerce is undertaking to organize an “All Candidates Forum” in Smoky Lake after the election date is announced.