Party leaders appeared to be a bit in the shadows while Rachel Notley and Jim Prentice argued. The NDP and PC leaders often found themselves going back and forth during last night’s televised leaders debate. Prentice defended his education budget, when earlier this week 19 school divisions argued it wasn’t enough to deal with a growing student population.
“We have asked the school boards to contribute to solving the problem, they have $460 million, half a billion dollars in reserves, this would be the time to use a rainy day fund,” he said.
Notley said the savings don’t do enough.
“That money in many cases, as you know if you’ve been speaking with the school board trustees, in many cases, is targeted for other things and it’s also not consistent across the school boards, so some schools have the ability to use that money, some don’t,” she said.
A budget of tax hikes for Albertans dominated discussions last night. Prentice defended the PC plan and questioned how Wildrose leader Brian Jean could promise no tax increases.
“Just answer the question Brian, you’ve been offered the chance to answer the question three times tonight, answer the question,” Prentice said.
“Jim, it’s not a question that has any results to it because it’s not true, you are deceiving the people of Alberta with your fearmongering,” Jean said, as he referred to page five of his budget which would indicate where the funds would come from.
Notley offered a memorable line in keeping with her argument that there are few differences between the two parties.
“This is certainly an interesting dispute between the two of you here, but I’m not really sure if this is the best way to be talking to a donor,” Notley said, referring to Jean and Prentice previously being in the federal caucus, as well as Jean giving Prentice a $10,000 donation last summer.
Albertans gave their thoughts on who won the debate. A Mainstreet Technologies poll said 44 per cent of participants believe Notley won the debate while 37 per cent think Jim Prentice will form the next government.
“To use a phrase that is likely all too familiar to Albertans after last night, it’s very clear that Rachel Notley was the winner of the debate. Notley went toe to toe with the Premier time and time again and more than stood her ground,” stated Quito Maggi, president of Mainstreet Technologies.
The poll surveyed 2,322 participants right after the debate. It has a margin of error of +/- 2.03%, 19/20. More on last night’s leaders debate can be found here.
(660News, Lucas Meyer, Crystal Laderas)
