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Leader of the Alberta Party Greg Clark (L) works with volunteer Darcy Mork while campaigning door to door even though a provincial election has not been called in Calgary, Alberta, April 1, 2015.Todd Korol/The Globe and Mail

With a spring election in the air, Alberta Party Leader Greg Clark tells Gary Mason how his party intends to make some noise.

Given the topsy-turvy nature of Alberta politics, there would appear to be an opportunity for your party to expand its political footprint. Do you agree?

I think we're seeing a generational change in Alberta politics. After nearly 44 years, many Albertans are tired of Progressive Conservative entitlement and empty promises but none of the existing opposition parties have the broad appeal necessary to govern. I don't believe there's any other party, government or opposition, that reflects the values of modern Alberta. Those values are neither extreme right nor far left, and neither is the Alberta Party. Modern Albertans are optimistic, we care about our communities and we care about our schools and hospitals. We want a well-managed government and we're willing to pay fair value to receive great services.

The Alberta Party is seen as a centrist option for provincial voters. How would you describe your party to someone who has never heard of you before?

Our vision for Alberta is one of sustainable and shared prosperity. The PCs have relied too long on the price of oil to determine our children's class sizes, or our wait times for health care, or whether our parents can have access to proper care as they get older. The Alberta Party has a better way. We will fight for the right balance of sound fiscal management and appropriate spending on core services in health, education, postsecondary and social services. We represent new energy in Alberta politics because the entrepreneurial spirit that built this province is what built the Alberta Party.

Premier Jim Prentice has all but declared that there will be a spring election. How prepared is your party to mount a campaign in the next month or two? How many candidates will you run?

We'll be ready whenever he calls the election. We're not putting a firm number on how many candidates we'll run, but a majority of Albertans will have an opportunity to vote for the Alberta Party. Our priority will always be on quality candidates over simply putting a name on a ballot.

What would the Alberta Party consider a victory in the next general election?

I'm confident we will elect our first group of Alberta Party MLAs this election, a group that will form an effective opposition that holds the government to account. We've grown quickly and will continue to grow beyond this election.

Are you concerned at all that after this election there might not be a healthy opposition to keep the government accountable?

I believe Alberta politics is unsettled because the PC dynasty is nearing its end. They've lost their moral compass and have no vision for Alberta beyond staying in power. The great thing about Alberta is that people can get ahead on merit alone. It doesn't matter where you're from or who your parents are; if you have a good idea, you're honest and you're willing to work hard you will get ahead in Alberta. It's a "what you know" kind of place. After 44 years, the PCs operate on a "who you know" basis. It's downright un-Albertan and it will be their downfall. So, to answer your question, I believe the Alberta Party can be an effective opposition after this election and an effective government the election after that.

This interview has been edited and condensed.

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