1682999390 Election campaign officially kicks off in Alberta Election Alberta

Election campaign officially kicks off in Alberta | Election Alberta 2023

Glen Ressler, Alberta’s Chief Electoral Officer, confirms that campaign letters have been sent to the Electoral Officers at every equestrian center in the province. We are pleased to welcome Albertans to the election, Glen Ressler said in a written statement.

With Alberta Lieutenant Governor Salma Lakhani not at home, Danielle Smith asked Chief Justice Rita Khullar to dissolve the Legislative Assembly. The prime minister made the request by phone at 8:30 a.m. Monday.

The Prime Minister had already discussed this issue with the Lieutenant Governor. […] Danielle Smith has informed him that she intends to ask him on May 1 to hold an election on May 29, according to the written statement from Colin Aitchison, acting director of communications for Danielle Smith’s office.

The parties have until May 11 to confirm the full list of their candidates.

Alberta’s United Conservative Party (UCP) promises tax cuts

Danielle Smith launched her campaign in Calgary on the tax front with a promise to cut personal income taxes.

If re-elected, the PCU will create a new tax bracket of 8% on incomes under $60,000, Danielle Smith promises.

Danielle Smith at a press conference.

Danielle Smith, head of the PCU, made promises about the income tax.

Photo: PCU/Facebook

The minimum tax bracket is currently 10%. According to Danielle Smith, the new measure will reduce provincial taxes by 20% for Albertans earning less than $60,000.

Also, the fuel tax suspension will be extended to December 31 this year, which Danielle Smith says would save motorists 13 cents. This suspension was due to end next June.

The UCP nominee also reiterated her promise to levy no taxes and to put future increases to a referendum to gain Albertan approval.

This choice is a choice between moving forward or backward, between adopting progressive policies to promote economic growth and cost-of-living affordability, or returning to the costly policies of the US [Nouveau Parti démocratique]says Danielle Smith.

Rachel Notley: Health, Education and Employment

An hour after Danielle Smith’s campaign was launched, New Democratic Party of Alberta leader Rachel Notley also launched hers in Calgary in front of nearly 500 NDP members and supporters, her communications director Malissa Dunphy says.

This campaign is indeed aimed at giving families hope at a time when hope is hard to find, says the leader of the party, who has confirmed among many

Applause that she wants to be the next prime minister of the province.

“It’s time for hope, it’s time for stability. »

– A quote from Rachel Notley, head of the NDP in Alberta

His observation regarding the healthcare system is harsh and defines his condition as in crisis. Among other things, she wants to strengthen it so that it is resilient without having to privatize it.

We will solve the health crisis by funding it, investing in health workers and frontline services, which also means running the largest recruitment and training campaign in the field of health care, she says, adding this to her program which also includes a retention campaign.

Rachel Notley surrounded by people holding NDP signs.

Rachel Notley, chair of the NDP, promises to strengthen Alberta’s healthcare system and economy.

Photo: NDP/Facebook

His program will also be devoted to education. She promises more neighborhood schools that need them, more teachers and more educational assistants, while proposing a new curriculum: Our students will benefit from a modern curriculum that will help them understand the world around them and prepare them to to lead them.

Rachel Notley is also counting on the diversity of business to boost job creation.

We will not play off the environment against the economy. This attitude doesn’t get us anywhere. Instead, we will diversify oil and gas operations by developing the petrochemical sector and multiplying uses of the oil sands to make more products back home in Alberta, she says.

Employment is not their only priority in the economic sphere. Rachel Notley believes her party can increase investment if it wins the provincial election. Our plan is to attract $20 billion in private sector investment, she promises.

The state of affairs

Before the convention was dissolved, Danielle Smith’s United Conservative Party held a majority of 60 MPs. The official opposition New Democratic Party, led by Rachel Notley, had 23 seats. Two MPs sat as independents and two constituencies were vacant.

To gain a majority, a party must win 44 constituencies. Traditionally, whoever leads the party with the most seats leads the province. With the two main provincial parties being led by women, Alberta will certainly have a first after the election.

Danielle Smith will seek voter approval to retain her post as Prime Minister, which she has held since last October. She then won the race to succeed Jason Kenney, who was elected in 2019.

For her part, Rachel Notley wants to become the first person to receive two non-consecutive terms at the helm of Alberta. She was Prime Minister from 2015 to 2019. She has been the leader of the opposition since 2019.

Vote

In addition to election day, May 29, early election days are also scheduled for the week before this date. Eligible Albertans can therefore vote May 23-27.

To vote, you must be a Canadian citizen, be at least 18 years old and live in Alberta.