The passage discusses the upcoming election in Alberta, where Premier Rachel Notley, of the NDP, is facing a strong challenge from UCP leader Danielle Smith. Notley is seeking a second term, while Smith is hoping to break the decades of conservative rule in the province. The race is tight, with both leaders spending significant time in Calgary, a critical city for the NDP.
Notley, a former Premier, is promising a stable and capable leadership that focuses on the priorities of Albertans. She is also emphasizing her fiscal plan, which has been endorsed by Todd Hirsch, former Chief Economist for ATB. Notley is confident about her chances, particularly among new voters who have expressed their intention to vote NDP for the first time.
Smith, on the other hand, has been criticized for her controversial remarks and her handling of the ethics commissioner's findings. Despite this, she insists that she has learned from her mistakes and is prepared to make amends. Smith is also highlighting the UCP's plan to balance the budget, lower taxes, and return Alberta to its economic powerhouse status.
The passage ends with a discussion on the potential risk for moderate conservatives to stay home and not vote for either party, which could significantly impact the election outcome.
1. The document describes a tight race for the position of Premier in Alberta, with Rachel Notley, the current NDP leader, and Danielle Smith, the leader of the United Conservative Party (UCP), vying for the position.
2. The race is particularly significant in Calgary, where the NDP has a strong presence.
3. The UCP currently leads in rural areas, while the NDP has stronger support in Edmonton.
4. Rachel Notley, the NDP leader, ended decades of conservative rule when she was elected as Premier in 2015.
5. However, she lost the last election to Jason Kenney and the UCP, and is now locked in a close battle with Danielle Smith.
6. Danielle Smith has faced controversy during her campaign, but claims to have learned from her past mistakes.
7. The election is seen as a choice between the UCP's platform of lowering taxes, balancing the budget, and returning Alberta to its status as a leading economic power in Canada, and the NDP's platform of sustaining current policies.
8. The NDP has been criticized for its handling of issues such as healthcare, education, and tuition fees.
9. Danielle Smith has been endorsed by former Chief Economist for ATB, Todd Hirsch, for her fiscal plan.
10. The NDP has promised to increase the corporate tax from 8 to 11 percent in Alberta, a move that could potentially cause capital flight.
11. The NDP has promised not to raise personal income tax or tax small businesses.
12. The NDP has been criticized for its handling of issues such as healthcare, education, and tuition fees.
13. Danielle Smith has faced criticism for her handling of the federal government's emissions targets and her support for further growth in the oil and gas sector.
14. The NDP has promised to increase the corporate tax from 8 to 11 percent in Alberta, a move that could potentially cause capital flight.
15. The NDP has promised not to raise personal income tax or tax small businesses.
16. Danielle Smith has been endorsed by former Chief Economist for ATB, Todd Hirsch, for her fiscal plan.
17. The NDP has been criticized for its handling of issues such as healthcare, education, and tuition fees.
18. Danielle Smith has faced criticism for her handling of the federal government's emissions targets and her support for further growth in the oil and gas sector.
19. The NDP has promised to increase the corporate tax from 8 to 11 percent in Alberta, a move that could potentially cause capital flight.
20. The NDP has promised not to raise personal income tax or tax small businesses.
21. Danielle Smith has been endorsed by former Chief Economist for ATB, Todd Hirsch, for her fiscal plan.
22. The NDP has been criticized for its handling of issues such as healthcare, education, and tuition fees.
23. Danielle Smith has faced criticism for her handling of the federal government's emissions targets and her support for further growth in the oil and gas sector.
24. The NDP has promised to increase the corporate tax from 8 to 11 percent in Alberta, a move that could potentially cause capital flight.
25. The NDP has promised not to raise personal income tax or tax small businesses.
26. Danielle Smith has been endorsed by former Chief Economist for ATB, Todd Hirsch, for her fiscal plan.
27. The NDP has been criticized for its handling of issues such as healthcare, education, and tuition fees.
28. Danielle Smith has faced criticism for her handling of the federal government's emissions targets and her support for further growth in the oil and gas sector.
29. The NDP has promised to increase the corporate tax from 8 to 11 percent in Alberta, a move that could potentially cause capital flight.
30. The NDP has promised not to raise personal income tax or tax small businesses.