Global Courant 2023-05-07 16:00:00
Leaders of the United Conservative and New Democratic parties vow to focus on the needs of the more than 24,000 people forced from their homes by wildfires in northern and central Alberta.
The crisis hits during the provincial elections that will take place on May 29. Recent polls show that the top two parties are neck and neck, with a significant portion of the electorate undecided.
In her role as Prime Minister, UCP leader Danielle Smith said she will keep NDP leader Rachel Notley updated on what is happening with the government’s response to the wildfire situation.
Notley has some background on these situations, as she was Prime Minister when a major fire threatened Fort McMurray in May 2016.
It was the largest wildfire evacuation in Alberta history, as more than 88,000 residents were forced to flee to safety.
Both Smith and Notley say public safety is the top priority in this situation.
Smith said at a news conference Saturday that at this point she doesn’t think the fires can delay the entire election.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said she believes the election will go ahead as planned. (The Canadian Press)
She hopes the elections go ahead as planned.
But what ultimately happens in some communities will depend on how the situation plays out in the coming days.
“This is local business and Elections Alberta informed me they would make local adjustments,” Smith said.
“The hope I think everyone has is that we’ll make sure we get through the immediate crisis we’re in and get people back into their communities.”
While elections are underway, Smith said the county government is still on duty and looking out for public safety.
“I want Albertans to be assured that there is a stable, functioning government that will support them through this unprecedented crisis.”
Smith attended an election event in northeast Calgary Saturday afternoon with one of her candidates.
Notley said her party has suspended local campaigns in six motos directly affected by the wildfire situation.
The routes include: Drayton Valley-Devon, Lesser Slave Lake, Central Peace-Notley, Lac Ste. Anne Parkland, West Yellowhead and Grande Prairie Wapiti.
At Saturday’s press conference, Smith also confirmed that two candidates have officially suspended their campaigns – Forestry, Parks and Tourism Minister Todd Loewen – who runs the Central Peace-Notley and Andrew Boitchenko runs the Drayton Valley-Devon.
“He told me today about a personal asset he owns where you have three fires coming together at once,” Smith said, referring to Loewen.
“So he has some reasons why he needs to step back from the campaign and I support him on that.”
A column of smoke rises from a wildfire near Shining Bank, Alta. on May 5, 2023. (Alberta Wildfire/Handout via Reuters)
The NDP leader said the situation will be monitored on a daily basis. But for now, her plan is to continue the election campaign in other parts of Alberta not directly affected by the wildfires.
She said she offered Smith her help.
“We are quite sincere in our offer to join the contingency planning committee. I think we have experience and advice that we can offer and I think it helps depoliticize what should be a laser focus on public safety Notley said.
A veteran political commentator and pollster, Janet Brown, said the two leaders have a fine line to walk when a crisis like this arises during a provincial election.
As director of Janet Brown Opinion Research, she said party leaders need to be aware of how their actions are perceived by voters, even as general campaigning continues.
“The biggest mistake you can make is looking like you’re underestimating the impact on the people involved, and the second biggest mistake you can make is looking like you’re taking advantage of the situation,” Brown said.
As for updating Notley by sharing information about the wildfire situation, Brown called it an essential move by Smith.
She pointed to the example Notley gave in 2016 during the Fort McMurray fire, when she held regular meetings with then opposition leader Brian Jean.
“Events like this should transcend politics. I don’t think voters would tolerate anything else,” she said.
“It’s just good government to involve the opposition in a crisis like this.”
For now, even as the two opponents are engaged in a battle over who will lead the province after the May 29 election, party leaders should be seen as working together in the interests of those living in the fire zones.
