It’s election day in Alberta on Monday in what polls are calling for a very tight end to the race between the province’s two dominant parties.
Danielle Smith’s United Conservative Party (UCP) is battling to win a second straight majority government, while Rachel Notley’s New Democratic Party (NDP) is trying to win back the government it lost to the UCP in 2019.
Both leaders have served as prime ministers and leaders of the official opposition.
To win, the NDP would have to maintain its dominance in Edmonton, overthrow a majority in Calgary and hope for help in small towns, while defeating a few incumbent ministers.
Polls suggest the PCU should continue its near total dominance in rural areas and smaller centres, giving it a cushion of up to around 40 seats to reach the 44 threshold needed to form a majority government.
The month-long election campaign was dominated by the economy and health care.
Albertans are grappling with high costs for consumer goods, a shortage of family doctors and long waits in emergency rooms.
Danielle Smith has promised to keep Alberta the lowest tax system in Canada. Her government, she said, would introduce legislation to mandate a binding referendum before any personal or corporate income tax hikes. There would also be tax changes to benefit those earning more than $60,000 a year, at a cost to the Treasury of $1 billion a year.
The NDP also promises to maintain Alberta’s status as the lowest tax system in Canada. He pledged to end the small business tax and raise corporate income tax from 8% to 11%, which he said would help pay for investments while maintaining the lowest corporate tax rate in Canada.
The NDP is also promising legislation this summer to counter CERB policies that have raised the cost of utilities, auto insurance, a range of fees and tuition.
The two leaders vowed to preserve the publicly funded health care system while creating more primary care teams — doctors along with related specialists such as nurses and therapists — so more Albertans can access health care. a family physician and not obstruct emergency services for care.
Polls also show that trust is a key issue, Mme Notley being viewed more favorably than his party and vice versa for Mme Smith.
During the campaign, Danielle Smith was haunted by earlier comments she made comparing those who took the COVID-19 vaccine to gullible supporters of Adolf Hitler. A report also came out mid-campaign from the province’s ethics commissioner who concluded she had undermined the rule of law by pressuring her justice minister to end the case. criminal charge of a protester.