(File Photo: Premier Jim Prentice at a news conference in Fort McMurray. October 6, 2014. Government of Alberta).
Premier Jim Prentice called a spring election during a news conference in Edmonton this morning. Prentice says it’s a challenging time that requires decisive leadership.
“We understand that no one wants to pay more for liquor or for cigarettes, or for that matter, a speeding ticket,” he said. “But we have made the realistic choices. Realistic choices, we’ve tackled the issues without creating a shock to the system or to our economy or to our province.”
Local politician and Wildrose Leader Brian Jean was in Calgary to released the Wildrose Party’s campaign. He said if Prentice were a man of his word, he would have never called the election. The Official Opposition says it’s dedicated to standing up for Albertans against the PC’s crippling tax hikes.
“The only way to stop taxes from going up is to vote Wildrose. After 44 years in government, the same old entitled PCs under Jim Prentice no longer deserve a blank cheque,” said Jean in a news release. “Across this province, we are building a strong team dedicated to standing up for Albertans. Only the Wildrose has the track record to compete province-wide against the PCs and give Albertans a credible alternative.”
The Liberal Party launched its campaign shortly after Prentice’s announcement. Leader David Swann said it’s about building and maintaining trust with the new generation of Albertan driving the province. He also criticized the premier for sending Albertans to the polls.
“Today Mr. Prentice made the decision to break his word to Albertans and call an unnecessary, costly, and early election. At a time when Albertans are worried about their jobs, their children, and their communities, the premier is more interested in solidifying his grip on power than helping Albertans,” says Swann in a statement.
Conservative Minister Don Scott has two challengers for his Fort McMurray-Conklin riding; Wildrose leader Brian Jean and NDP Ariana Mancini. MLA Mike Allen wants to keep his Fort McMurray-Wood Buffalo seat away from Wildrose candidate Tany Yao and the NDP’s Stephen Drover. The Liberals say they’re waiting for today’s announcement before appointing two Fort McMurray candidates.
It’s a well-timed election for the PCs, according to Mount Royal University Political Scientist Lori Williams. She says it comes at a time when parties are in disarray.
“The opposition parties are not in great shape. The NDP is doing the best in terms of the number of candidates nominated […] the Liberals haven’t even got half the nominations done yet, they have an interim leader [and] there’s a brand new leader for the Wildrose,” says Williams.
She says they could be a strong opposition altogether, but they can’t do much on their own. The NDP and Tories have 85 candidates lined up with the last two expected to be in place soon. The Wildrose party officially announced 47 candidates. The Alberta Party has 29 and the Liberals have 26.
-With files from City News
