Albertan Election 2019 is reaching its climax in Alberta and the parties are trying to convince you on their platforms. As we said last week, we sent out a survey to all political parties represented in the Alberta Legislation. The NDP and the UCP are currently working to send their responses such that we can share with you and hold them to account, who ever is elected, for the issues of importance to the multicultural communities, 30% of Alberta. Before waiting for their responses, we have made some observations so far from the major proposals made by the two front runners – the NDP and the UCP.

Before our observations, it is important to share that we do not want to make our community a battle ground for political differences. We should respect everyone and their political affiliations and not disrespect people because of their different political attraction. As we know we all want the election to be settled on a respectful debate, and ideas, not emotions and ideologies. At the end of the election, you will still have your friend, community member, neighbour, or colleague to deal with, while Mrs. Notley or Mr. Kenney accompanied by two security guards to the Premier’s mansion.

General Observations

Jason Kenney has been campaigning for the last four years while Rachel Notley’s and the NDP busy with running the government. During this time campaigning, Mr. Kenney has established himself as the next Premier with an army of followers, generating millions of Dollars with an election call just a formality waiting for a new Premier to happen. However, in the last three months since the NDP started campaigning, he has not been able to define himself and has let the NDP who only started campaigning three months ago to define him and his party as a racist party due to the number of candidates who has said racially charged things in their past lives. Mr. Kenney’s UCP has led the NDP take over the air waves with one horrible candidate pick after another, culminating with an RCMP investigation.

On the other hand, Mr. Kenney has done an excellent job in attracting thousands of passionate supporters and raising millions of Dollars, and bringing so many important issues to public awareness but he has done so at a huge price, making so many enemies in the process, now fighting on multiple fronts, and making it increasingly difficult to cross the finish line with an RCMP investigation hanging over his head. Mr. Kenney is investing in Edmonton South with hopes of picking up some seats there to add to some in Calgary and rural Alberta to celebrate on election day. Mrs. Notely strategy has been to do a great job at convincing Albertans that she is truly fighting for them, taking her fights to everywhere in Alberta’s interest including a sister NDP in BC. She has connected well with multicultural communities but have not done a good job to explain to Albertans how Alberta economy is tied to the global oil and gas prices which have fallen leaving little that herself or Mr. Kenney can do about it, as it continues to affect the economy and erode jobs. Mrs Notely and the NDP has lived way beyond expectations so far, pulling huge crowds in Edmonton, capitalizes on the major cities especially Edmonton and Calgary but has to up their game in Calgary, bring in more newcomers into this election whom the UCP has a horrible brand recognition with, especially in Edmonton, in order to cross the finish line on election day.

Specific Observations

Now to our specific observations so far in this election. The NDP proposed a $25 per day day care for everybody, which takes care of the mega problem of childcare which can be the difference between success and failure for single moms, and and low income families overburden with childcare.  NDP proposed a plan where seniors will get the support they need to age with dignity in the community they call home, that if re-elected, their government will eliminate prescription co-pay for seniors. They are also proposing the construction of schools, pipelines and hospitals.

UCP proposed that if elected, young people will be exposed to different skills at an early age to orientate them for future careers, as well as, adding more value to the trades through training, competition, and celebration of trades in Alberta. UCP proposed a Rural Entrepreneurial Stream to attract immigrant entrepreneurs to Rural Alberta and some good ideas in engaging regulatory bodies to help with recognition of foreign credentials, a major problem for newcomer professionals to Alberta. They will cut subsidies for renewables.

UCP and NDP want to cut wait times in hospitals, keep healthcare free, and work towards a better Alberta but just have a different path going forward. The two parties have a good number of multicultural candidates but the Alberta Party of former Edmonton Mayor, Stephen Mandel, has the most of all the parties.

While Waiting on how the Parties Respond to Issues of 30% of Albertans…

While waiting for responses from the political parties on issues of importance to multicultural communities barely mentioned in this election so far, we shall give the parties an opportunity on a face-to-face basis, to make their case and take questions at an all candidate forum on April 8, 2019, at Action for Healthy Communities, in Edmonton from 7 – 8:30 PM.