Global Courant 2023-04-30 01:16:13
Song Reveals and “Super Saturday” – Alberta’s provincial election season kicked into high gear this weekend with campaign-style rallies, even though the subpoena won’t be officially issued until Monday.
While the United Conservative Party and the Alberta New Democrats have in fact been campaigning for weeks, Monday will bring new urgency to the fray as both sides have less than 30 days to convince Albertans that they are best positioned to win the next to form a party. government.
UCP event was largely focused on economics, crime
The UCP started the day in Calgary, the city that could determine the ultimate winner of the upcoming elections. The party would head north to Edmonton later on Saturday for a second meeting.
The morning event was held in a parking lot near the campaign office of Rebecca Schulz, who is running for reelection to the UCP in Calgary-Shaw.
After taking the stage, UCP leader Danielle Smith gave a speech lasting just over six minutes, focusing largely on economic issues, as members of the public waved “Move Alberta Forward” signs, the UCP’s campaign slogan .
“We have a responsible plan for a stronger, safer and more affordable future,” Smith told the crowd.
UCP leader Danielle Smith shook hands and posed for photos with supporters after a speech on Saturday. (Joel Dryden/CBC)
In Calgary, polls have shown that health care is at the top of voters’ minds. It’s an issue polled favors the NDP, followed by inflation and the economy, which are seen as stronger for the UCP.
On Saturday, Smith only briefly mentioned healthcare when she said her UCP government was focused on making sure there were enough jobs in that area, along with film and television, agriculture, technology and others.
As the UCP campaign gets underway, the party’s first order of business will be to create a story around defining a third issue for voters beyond inflation and economics, said Michael Solberg, a partner and co-owner of New West Public Affairs, a government and PR firm based in Calgary.
“I think that’s what the war is really for right now. The UCP would like voters to come to the polls with crime in mind and how crime should be tackled,” said Solberg, a former Conservative staffer under Stephen Harper.
Smith signaled that approach Saturday, her emphasis on crime emerging as a close second to the economy. She said the UCP’s plan was to “keep hard drugs and overdoses and criminals off the streets. A UCP government will put criminals behind bars.”
Some supporters at the rally said they were focused on the economy, while others expressed concern about Alberta’s relationship with Ottawa.
“Ottawa has trampled Alberta for a long time,” said supporter Rob Haynes.
United Conservative Party supporter Rob Haynes said he wanted Alberta to advocate for changes in federal policy around firearms and equanimity. (Joel Dryden/CBC)
Another UCP supporter said he hoped the campaign would focus entirely on the economy and not “go off the rails” over issues such as the Alberta Sovereignty Act and COVID-19 restrictions.
‘It really is that simple. It’s not difficult. But Danielle seems to be going here, there. The train sometimes seems to go off the rails,” said Merle Terlesky.
NDP event scheduled for later Saturday
The NDP also scheduled an event in Edmonton on Saturday night.
The party plans to unveil its campaign van and will also unveil a campaign song performed live by Edmonton-based country act The Dungarees.
In a statement, Alberta NDP leader Rachel Notley said the party has thousands of volunteers across the province preparing signs and getting ready to campaign.
“As your prime minister, I will work every day to get health care right, improve our education system and create more jobs in a more affordable county,” Notley said.
The NDP plans to unveil its campaign bus and campaign song on Saturday ahead of larger events scheduled for Monday in Calgary. (Alberta NDP)
Leah Ward, vice president at Wellington Advocacy and senior adviser to Notley when she was prime minister, said the party is likely to focus on healthcare and leadership as core issues as the campaign gets underway.
“Over the course of the campaign, you will see the NDP share their vision for a more diversified economy and good jobs,” said Ward. “But ultimately I expect that initial campaign launch will be focused on healthcare.”
The summons for the upcoming provincial elections is expected to be issued on May 1. Election day is May 29.
More to come.
