Albertans woke up today with their first-ever NDP government, after Tuesday’s election ended 44 years of Progressive Conservative rule in the province. What does that mean? What’s next? Here’s what you need to know.
NDP: The new bosses
Seats won: 53
Leader: Rachel Notley, Alberta’s new premier-designate
In her words: “I think we might have made a little bit of history tonight. I believe that change has finally come to Alberta.”
Tories: The old bosses
Seats won: 10
Leader: Jim Prentice, who announced his resignation Tuesday night
In his words: “Alberta needed to make choices and they have now done so. I am satisfied the voters are always right in a democracy.”
Wildrose: The new opposition
Leader: Brian Jean, soon to be Official Opposition leader
In his words: “We’ve seen a complete change in Alberta, and Wildrose proved them wrong. We have prospered mightily; we have done amazing things.”
How the cities voted
Urbanization, population growth and the election of two progressive mayors in the province’s biggest cities – Calgary’s Naheed Nenshi and Edmonton’s Don Iveson – have shifted Alberta’s political landscape dramatically in the past five years.
On Tuesday night, Edmonton – where Ms. Notley’s riding is – went completely to the NDP.
The results were a lot closer in Calgary, where there a few pockets of Tory blue – including Calgary-Foothills, where Mr. Prentice won re-election – and the province’s lone Liberal seat. The city also produced the election’s only tie, between the PCs’ Linda Johnson and the NDP’s Anam Kazim in Calgary-Glenmore.
How big a deal is this?
Pretty big. Historically, a change in governing party is a once-in-a-generation event in Alberta; since the province’s creation in 1905, only four parties have governed there, and at 44 years, the Progressive Conservatives’ dynasty was the longest.
What's next for the oil patch?
An NDP government will be unfamiliar territory for Alberta’s energy sector. Ms. Notley has promised to review royalty rates for oil and gas, and act on recommendations within the first year of the next term in the legislature. Ms. Notley has said she’d withdraw support for the Northern Gateway oil pipeline, and though she’s said the NDP is interested in proposals regarding the Trans Mountain and Energy East pipelines, she would also end the use of taxpayer dollars to promote energy pipelines in Washington and elsewhere.
Comment and analysis
Gary Mason: “The Alberta election crushed what remained of the myth that has persisted about this province: that it is an adamant and unapologetic right-wing outlier that only has eyes for conservative-minded politicians. Instead, voters anxious for change helped the New Democratic Party make political history on Tuesday and produce a shocking Miracle on the Prairies of a different sort.”
Tom Flanagan: “[Notley] must govern with moderation. It could be one-and-done if she pushes too hard to implement some of the further-left ideas in the NDP platform, such as a royalty review for oil and gas, higher taxes on corporations and high-income earners, and a $15 minimum wage. Can you spell capital flight?”
Editorial: “... an election doesn’t change the fact that absent the salvation of higher oil prices, Alberta has to spend less, or tax more, or both.”