ALBERTA ELECTION CALLED. Just to be clear on the proliferation of announcements ... it took 24 days (February 5th to 28th) for the Alberta government to make the same number of announcements

Yesterday, in a post I wrote about the Throne Speech by the Alberta government, I stated:

While many are expecting to hear a call for a provincial election in Alberta – likely in the month of May, Premier Rachael Notley’s Throne Speech today sounded more like an election rally, and call to members to prepare campaign teams in all ridings across the province.

It also highlighted how the Alberta NDP government had been building long-term beds, diversifying the economy, and been constructing new schools.  And those of course are what voters like and want to hear.

I also quoted Premier Rachael Notley stating, “Our government has kept the promises we made to Albertans over the last four years, fighting for what matters to everyday workers and families – good jobs, pipelines, a more diversified economy and strong schools and hospitals. There is more work to do, and this year’s throne speech lays out the work ahead.”

Very much the start of a campaign speech I thought ... and indeed it was the first salvo in an election campaign which started today, as voters will go to the polls on Tuesday April 16^th to elect a new government.

And the Alberta Government News Room has certainly been cranking out the “good news” media releases over the past two week alone, and making sure everyone knows who is responsible:

The province is making sure Alberta families have life-saving support when they need it by helping STARS purchase a new helicopter

More First Nation communities than ever before will have access to clean, safe drinking water thanks to major historic investments by the Alberta government

Families, Indigenous communities and vulnerable Canadians in need of an affordable place to call home can count on long-term funding for community housing in Alberta thanks to an agreement signed today by the federal and provincial governments

In a historic partnership with the Dene Tha’ First Nation, the Alberta government is bringing safe and reliable drinking water to the nation

A new document will boost consumer confidence by educating Albertans about their rights when making a purchase

Alberta’s Climate Leadership Plan is helping major industries reduce emissions and create jobs while cutting costs and becoming more competitive

The newly created Kitaskino Nuwenëné Wildland conserves natural landscapes and watersheds, while supporting traditional Indigenous uses and sustainable development

Alberta is taking a significant step forward on a more diversified economy with a project that supports hundreds of jobs and adds more value to our energy resources

Alberta’s Climate Leadership Plan will cut emissions by 50 megatonnes, save Albertans more than $510 million in energy costs and support more than 20,000 jobs

Investing in 33 transit projects. Provincial transit grants for things such as electric buses, light rail vehicles and a new LRT station will help make public transit a better choice for more Albertan

The province is investing in new water system improvements to provide the City of Red Deer and central Alberta with clean, safe water

Alberta Innovates will launch a tech accelerator program to help high-tech entrepreneurs turn ideas into market-ready products and applications

A first-of-its-kind pharmacy funding framework that has successfully reduced government’s health-care costs will be extended for another two years

Now these are just a few of the twenty-one announcements, made by the NDP government of Rachael Notley -- all in the last 18 days --- all in the lead-up to the election announcement.  All good stuff --- BUT AGAIN, all in the lead-up to the election call.   

But just to be clear on the proliferation of announcements ... it took 24 days (from February 5^th to 28^th) for the Alberta government to make the same number of announcements.

In recent days leading up to the election call, there has been rumours and stories surrounding the United Conservative Party (UCP) in Alberta, and what seems like a deliberate undermining of former Wildrose leader Brian Jean during the leadership campaihn once the Conservatives and Wildrose parties merged.  

To what effect, and what impact, it will have on the election, it is now hard to say.  We’ll just have to wait and see.

Meantime, Elections Alberta is already up and running with information on the who, what, when, where, and how of the campaign, so for friends in Alberta, be sure to keep up to date.