From http://www.630ched.com/Channels/Reg/NewsLocal/Story.aspx?ID=1000865
Most recent poll results show "turn out" key
3:41pm
Bob Layton
2/29/2008
There are new Angus Reid numbers out this afternoon. They indicate Monday's election is getting tighter as voter turn out is becoming a very large factor.
Premier Ed Stelmach, campaigning for votes at seniors residences in town, says he's starting to feel the momentum of the campaign swing in favour of his Tories.
"Our candidates are saying that the mood has changed. Many people are saying 'are you with that guy Ed? Okay you've got my vote'"
However the most recent numbers from Angus Reid tell a different story.
In over all numbers, Ed Stelmach has a fifteen point lead over Kevin Taft, 43% to 28%.
But when you narrow things down to those voters who are absolutely certain to vote the gap narrows to nine points 39% to 30%.
Angus Reid says that gives Stelmach the only negative momentum numbers in his survey at minus fifteen. Meaning voter turn is extra important to Stelmach's chances. His soft support might stay home.
end of Ched Article.
Looks to me like Get The Vote out.
FRom http://calgary.ctv.ca/servlet/RTGAMArticleHTMLTemplate/B,C/20080229/S...
Poll shows shift in political support
calgary.ctv.ca
POSTED AT 12:19 PM Friday, February 29
A new poll shows it is shaping up to be a wild election night in Calgary.
In Calgary, support for the Conservatives stands at 44 per cent among decided voters. The Tories took 52 per cent of the vote in the city in 2004.
Liberal support is at 29 per cent, almost exactly where it was in 2004.
Wildrose Alliance support has jumped to 13 per cent compared to 7 per cent for the Alberta Alliance in 2004.
The Green Party has jumped to 10 per cent compared to 6 per cent in 2004.
The NDP is down to 3 per cent.
This poll was taken February 27 and 28.
end of CTV article.
How close is it in Calgary? really?
From http://www.ipsos-na.com/news/pressrelease.cfm?id=3831
No Stars In Alberta Election Campaign
None Of The Parties Have Captured Interest Of Voters Tories Viewed As Best On All Issues, Especially Economy, Crime And Oil Royalties
February 28, 2008
Contact Kyle Braid at (778) 373-5000
Category Ipsos Reid/Global/National Post , Politics & Elections (City/Regional)
Location Canada
Calgary, AB
The campaigns of the Liberals and New Democrats have turned-off as many voters as they have turned-on. Kevin Taft and the Liberals have 19% improved impressions and 21% worsened impressions. For Brian Mason and the NDP, it's 15% improved impressions and 17% worsened impressions.
The governing Progressive Conservatives are the only party with significant negative momentum in the campaign. More than one-third (36%) of Albertans say their impression of Ed Stelmach and the Progressive Conservatives has worsened over the course of the campaign, compared to 13% who say their impression has improved.
In Calgary, the results are slightly positive for the Wildrose Alliance and the Liberals, negative for the NDP and very negative for the Conservatives.
Paul Hinman and the Wildrose Alliance have more improved impressions (19%) than worsened impressions (13%).
Kevin Taft and the Liberals have more improved impressions (22%) than worsened impressions (17%).
Brian Mason and the NDP have more worsened impressions (18%) than improved impressions (9%).
Ed Stelmach and the Progressive Conservatives have more worsened impressions (41%) than improved impressions (8%).
While the Conservatives are struggling with momentum, they are still the top choice of voters to deal with every significant campaign issue. Kevin Taft and the Liberals are second choice on all issues, with the exception of housing affordability, where they finish third (though a statistical tie) to Brian Mason and the NDP.
Ed Stelmach and the Progressive Conservatives do best in relation to their nearest rivals, the Liberals, on the issues of the economy (15 point lead), crime (14 point lead) and oil royalties (12 point lead). The Conservative lead is smaller on the environment (3 point lead), housing affordability (5 point lead over NDP) and education (6 point lead). Of note, is the substantial block of voters (roughly four-in-ten on all issues) who at this point in the campaign are unsure which party is best, or say that none is best.
In Calgary, the Conservatives are rated first (or tied for first) on all issues, with the Liberals being their closest competitor on every issue.
Similar to the overall provincial results, the Tories have their biggest advantage on the issues of the economy (14 point lead), oil royalties (13 point lead) and crime (11 point lead).
The Conservative advantage is smaller on the issues of education (6 point lead) and housing affordability (4 point lead).
* The Conservatives have no real advantage over the Liberals on the issues of climate change/environment (1 point lead) and health care (tie).
These are the findings of an Ipsos Reid online poll conducted between February 25 and 27, 2008. The poll is based on a representative sample of 725 adult Albertans. With a sample of this size, the results are considered accurate to within ± 3.6 percentage points, 19 times out of 20, of what they would have been had the entire adult population of Alberta been polled. The margin of error will be larger within regions and for other sub-groupings of the survey population. These data were statistically weighted to ensure the sample's regional and age/sex composition reflects that of the actual Alberta population according to Census data.
For more information on this news release, please contact:
Kyle Braid
Vice-President
Ipsos Reid Public Affairs
778-373-5130
Kyle.Br...@ipsos-reid.com
Missing one or 2 tables however
Change of Impression Over the Course ofthe Campaign
WRA +6
ALP -2
NDP -2
APCP -23
End of REid Poll
Tory impression going down!
I refuse to post Strategic Council, their numbers puts the PCs
From http://www.canada.com/edmontonjournal/features/albertavotes/story.htm...
At least Monday might be exciting
Undecided voters could turn the end of this boring campaign into a real nail-biter
Graham Thomson, The Edmonton Journal
Published: Thursday, February 28
They're starting to droop, beginning to fall over on their faces.
You can see them as you drive along the road -- election campaign signs sliding into the gutter.
The snowbanks that once held them firmly in place are starting to melt. Or maybe, just maybe, it's because even the election signs grow tired of this campaign.
They, like many Albertans, seem to have given up.
Or at the very least they don't know what to make of this campaign.
There is no big ballot issue, no outstanding leader.
We have four, or five, middle-aged guys in suits promising more help for, among other things, seniors, teachers, students, parents, children, police, farmers, renters, homeowners, the homeless, drivers, Calgarians, Edmontonians, farmers, and, in the case of the Green Party, people who make mead.
It doesn't seem to matter that there are real policy differences over issues such as the oilsands.
The Liberals and New Democrats, for example, want to slow down the pace of development; the Conservatives and
Alliance don't. Liberals want to put tighter restrictions on greenhouse gas emissions; the Conservatives don't. The NDP wants public auto insurance; the Conservatives don't.
There are dozens of issues but no big issue that is swaying great numbers of people one way or another.
In this election campaign the public's imagination hasn't been grabbed, sparked or engaged. It, too, seems to be sliding into the gutter.
Consequently, people are falling back on their old biases and political bigotry.
"Liberal" is still a four-letter word for many Albertans even though the party is separate from the federal party and takes great pains to preface itself with "Alberta."
Conservatives say Liberals are free spenders who will rack up budget deficits immediately. The Wildrose Alliance says Conservatives are free spenders who will be racking up budget deficits within a year.
Liberals say Conservatives are arrogant and out of touch after running the province for 37 years. New Democrats say Liberals are out of touch with average Albertans. All of them say the New Democrats are simply out of touch.
There's been a fair amount of ridiculous finger pointing.
The Liberals, for example, put out a news release last week describing a "bumbling" Conservative Leader Ed Stelmach who "unravelled" during the leaders debate.
Stelmach may not have set the house on fire but he was competent. He didn't bumble and he didn't unravel.
Stelmach, for his part, is playing to political prejudices with his repeated claim that, if elected, the Liberals would kill 335,000 jobs with their proposed reductions on greenhouse gas emissions from the oilsands.
JOB-LOSS CLAIM FOUND LACKING
Stelmach has never been clear where that number comes from. It certainly is not coming from the Liberals.
At first Stelmach said those jobs would be lost in Alberta alone. Now, he's backed off a bit, saying the job losses would be spread across the country.
But he still can't seem to explain where that number came from.
Stelmach is twisting the facts, insisting the Liberals would impose Kyoto-style reductions.
The Liberals are not saying that at all. They want a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, true, but not to the extent Stelmach is talking about.
Greenhouse gas emissions and climate change are issues Albertans care about. The environment is a major concern. And, according to a recent Leger Marketing poll, the government is failing on this issue.
When asked if the government was doing enough to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, 57 per cent said no.
Not only that, 62 per cent of those surveyed said the government should reduce emissions even if it means delaying or cancelling some oilsands projects.
Almost half of respondents said they would prefer a change in government -- but the Conservatives still lead in voter preference.
If there is one big overriding issue, it might be leadership and/or trust. On that, Stelmach comes out on top, according to the Leger poll.
It's all relative, though.
Take, for example, this question: "If an election was held today, which political party would you vote for?"
Ed Stelmach's Conservatives: 40 per cent.
Kevin Taft's Liberal Party: 18 per cent.
Brian Mason's New Democratic Party: 5 per cent.
George Read's Green Party: 5 per cent.
Paul Hinman's Wildrose Alliance: 6 per cent.
"I don't know": 27 per cent.
Nobody is the odds-on favourite. The majority of Albertans want somebody else, even if they don't know who that is.
On the question of who has run the best campaign so far, Stelmach gets the highest rating of any leader with 32 per cent. But the absolute winner is "None of the above/I don't know" at 40 per cent.
If the Liberals are indeed being held back because of their name, they should change it to the "I Don't Know/None of the Above Party." They'd probably win on Monday.
I hasten to add that a boring campaign doesn't mean a boring election night.
During the 2004 election campaign, the polls indicated another 70-plus-seat government for the Tories.
Instead, they lost a dozen seats. Not because a significant number of people switched to the opposition, but because a significant number of traditional Tory supporters stayed home.
What has been a boring election campaign might yet turn out to be an interesting election night.
gthom...@thejournal.canwest.com
GRAHAM THOMSON
Off the Ledge
In Graham's blog, he digs through the political rhetoric.
To read Graham's blog go to http://www.edmontonjournal.com and click on blogs
Edmonton-Castle Downs’ Returning Officer scandal shows Elections Alberta must stand up for Albertans’ right to a fair election
Edmonton – The Alberta Liberal Party formally demanded today that Elections Alberta Chief Electoral Officer Lorne Gibson assert the authority given him by the Election Act and ensure impartiality in the conduct of Alberta’s election on March 3rd, 2008.
Section 4(1) (a) of the Election Act (2000) states the Chief Electoral Officer shall:
“enforce on the part of all election officers fairness and impartiality in the conduct of their duties and compliance with this Act…”
Sun Media reported today that Linda Brown, who was appointed by Order in Council as Returning Officer in Edmonton-Castle Downs, is the former executive assistant to PC MLA Thomas Lukaszuk.
In 2004, Lukazuk won the election over Alberta Liberal Chris Kibermanis by three votes on an appeal of a judicial recount after losing the unofficial count, the official count, and a judicial recount. The two candidates are again running against each other this election. If there is any constituency in which every vote does indeed count, this is it.
“The legislation is quite clear that the Chief Electoral Officer has the authority and responsibility to make sure elections, including this election, are free and fair and administered by impartial returning officers. The CEO has the duty and responsibility to ensure impartiality, without regard to any instruction from the government or fear of retaliation,” said Glenn Rollans, Co-Chair of the Alberta Liberal campaign.
The demand details supervisory measures required to restore Albertans’ confidence in an impartial election, and notes that these measures are enabled by the Act and within the responsibilities of the Chief Electoral Officer.
These measures include retaining impartial outside assistance, including assistance from other jurisdictions, if the staff of Elections Alberta is insufficient to the widespread need for supervision and enforcement of impartiality in this election. “This election was not a surprise. Elections Alberta could have gone on a recruiting drive last spring to bring in qualified, impartial returning officers,” Rollans said.
The demand specifies that the Chief Electoral Officer himself should personally be present during the official count in Edmonton-Castle Downs.
A letter to Chief Electoral Officer Lorne Gibson from the Alberta Liberal Party’s campaign co-chairs is attached.
1
10247 – 124 Street
Edmonton, Alberta T5N 1P8
P: 780-414-1124
F: 780-414-1125
T: 1-800-661-9201
E: office@albertaliberal.com
Office of the Chief Electoral Officer
Suite 100, 11510 Kingsway Ave.
Edmonton, AB
T5G 2Y5
Attn: Lorne R. Gibson, Chief Electoral Officer
Dear Sir:
We write on behalf of the Alberta Liberal Party. We call upon you to take
special steps to uphold the Election Act in the administration of this election,
generally and in respect of the constituencies detailed below.
Section 4 of the Election Act gives you as the Chief Electoral Officer the power
and the responsibility to “enforce on the part of all election officers fairness and
impartiality in the conduct of their duties and compliance with this Act…”.
Section 4 of the Act also says that you shall “issue to election officers any
information and guidance the Chief Electoral Officer considers necessary to
ensure the effective carrying out of this Act”.
Section 4 also says that you shall “provide guidance, direction and supervision
respecting the conduct of all elections … conducted under this Act”.
As you know, the Cabinet practice of appointing nominees of the Progressive
Conservative party as Returning Officers has been front and centre as an issue in
this election campaign. Your own office has confirmed that “about half” of the
Returning Officers this election have close connections to the Conservative
Party. The spokesman for Mr. Stelmach has left no doubt that the Conservative
Party is the source of Returning Officer appointments:
On Thursday, Stelmach insisted he had nothing to do with
selecting the returning officers. Tom Olsen, a spokesman for the
premier, later clarified that Conservative MLAs and Tory
constituency associations put names forward to party officials,
and those officials submit the list to the chief electoral officer at
Elections Alberta. Cabinet then approves the choices through an
order-in-council.
—Edmonton Journal, February 15, 2008
Late yesterday came the public revelations that one Linda Brown is the
Returning Officer for Edmonton-Castle Downs; and that Ms. Brown is a former
Executive Assistant to the incumbent MLA and Progressive Conservative
candidate, Thomas Lukaszuk.
2
You will be well aware that in the 2004 general election, the contest between Mr.
Lukaszuk and Alberta Liberal candidate Chris Kibermanis was decided in favour
of Mr. Lukaszuk by only three votes. This happened on appeal, after Mr.
Kibermanis had won the unofficial count, the official count and one judicial
recount. Mr. Kibermanis is the Alberta Liberal candidate again in this election.
You will also be aware of the following facts:
• Edmonton-Meadowlark Returning Officer Allie Wojtaszek is the wife of
the PC constituency association president Duncan Wojtaszek. She was
the manager for PC candidate Raj Sherman’s nomination campaign. She
maintained a partisan blog that included posts denigrating both the
departing Alberta Liberal incumbent and the Alberta Liberal Party
candidate in this campaign.
• Calgary-Currie Returning Officer Robin Darsi unsuccessfully ran for the
PC nomination for this election in that constituency.
• Calgary-North Hill Returning Officer Andrea Grubbe is the current
Secretary of the North Hill PC constituency association.
• Calgary-Montrose Returning Officer Lynn Warkentin is married to
Montrose PC constituency association Treasurer and Nomination Chair,
Frank Warkentin.
• Calgary-North West Returning Officer Don Severs was former Energy
Minister Greg Melchin's campaign manager in 1997 and 2001 and his
financial officer in 2004
• Edmonton-Decore Returning Officer William Maxim is a past president
of the PC constituency association.
• Calgary-McCall Returning Officer Shirley Barwise was Returning
Officer in that constituency in the 2004 election. A scrutineer that
election went public with complaints of openly partisan behaviour at his
polling station.
• Fort Saskatchewan-Vegreville Returning Officer Ralph Soldan
contributed as much as $1,000 to Ed Stelmach's 2006 leadership
campaign.
We believe that these facts have created a widespread public perception that
Returning Officers are biased. We say that these facts demonstrate a compelling
need that the election in general, and particularly in these constituencies, be
administered in a way that is both impartial and seen to be impartial.
3
Ms. Brown’s appointment in Edmonton-Castle Downs is an outrageous case. It
is bad enough that a person with any kind of past employee relationship with the
sitting MLA could become a Returning Officer. But when the relationship is so
recent, and when the job was political in nature, the circumstances completely
undermine any presumption of impartiality that a Returning Officer might
otherwise be entitled to.
Any judge or adjudicator in such circumstances would disclose the past
employment relationship and refuse to act because of an apprehension of bias.
How can any lesser standard be expected of a Returning Officer? And, we ask,
if these facts do not warrant special efforts on the part of your office to “enforce
… fairness and impartiality… and compliance with this Act”, what facts would?
With all respect, this is not a case in which your office can credibly decline to
become involved. You are an officer of the Legislature; we therefore say that
your office has an obligation to act without regard to any instructions from the
government or fear of retaliation. We say that your office cannot credibly rely
upon a lack of resources, nor can it credibly demonstrate any unwillingness to
scrutinize the anti-democratic practices of the ruling party when those practices
have become so notorious.
Therefore, we call upon you to take the following measure on a province-wide
basis:
1. In advance of Election Day, issue unequivocal instructions to every
election official in every constituency about their obligations of
fairness and impartiality and ensure that they understand those
obligations.
We call upon you to take the following measures in the constituencies identified
above. We reserve the right to request these measures be extended to other
constituencies where we learn that circumstances warrant.
2. Appoint officials responsible to your office to conduct unannounced
spot checks of every poll during the course of voting.
3. Appoint officials responsible to your office to be present during the
unofficial count by Deputy Returning Officers at the close of the
polls.
4. Retain impartial outside assistance for these tasks if your staff is
insufficient to do so on its own. Retain lawyers, experienced election
observers, or officials from other jurisdictions as temporary members
of your office staff and designate them for this task.
4
5. Undertake to have an official of your office present observing the
official count on March 13.
And we call upon you to take the following special measure in Edmonton-Castle
Downs:
6. That you as the Chief Electoral Officer be personally present
observing the official count on March 13 in that constituency.
We request an official response to this letter at the earliest possible opportunity.
We also advise that this letter will be made public later this afternoon.
Kevin Taft, Alberta Liberals continue to work hard as campaign’s final week approaches
Calgary – With Albertans heading to the polls in eight days, Alberta Liberal Leader Kevin Taft says his party will continue to work hard to gets its policies out to Albertans.
The Alberta Liberals made some major announcements this week, including promises to boost the wages of child care workers and build a new cancer centre in Calgary. They also released the costing details of the Alberta Liberal platform, which outlined plans to reallocate current spending towards the priorities of Albertans.
“The Stelmach government spends more than any government in Canada, but still doesn’t deliver on the priorities of Albertans,” said Taft. “People are still waiting days for surgery or for a bed in the emergency room, and many schools are still badly in need of repair. We spend 35 per cent more per capita than Ontario, yet we get far less.”
“Our health care system is in constant crisis mode. Gridlock eats up more and more time of commuters in Calgary and Edmonton. Post-secondary tuition is among the highest in the country, and qualified students can’t get into universities or colleges because of a shortage of space.”
“Under our plan, we’ll reallocate current spending to make sure we’re getting the most for every dollar spent, and that we’re spending on the priorities of the people of this province.”
“The Tories run the most bloated, spend-happy government in Canada. We don’t need to spend more, we need to spend smarter.”
“We don’t need $14 million a year for government spin doctors in the Public Affairs Bureau, and we don’t need to give away $60 million a year to the horseracing industry. That’s money we will spend on the properly budgeted, reviewed and legislated priorities of the people of Alberta.”
Taft said that many people along the campaign trail have talked to him about the importance of investing in Alberta’s future.
“More Albertans are realizing we can’t afford to let the Tories squander our heritage any longer. How many billions have flowed through the government’s coffers since the start of the boom, and what do we have to show for it?”
“The Alberta Liberals are the only party with a real plan for investing in Alberta’s future, through setting aside a portion of our annual resource revenues.”
The week was also highlighted by the Leaders’ Debate on Thursday. Commentators described Taft’s debate as premier-like, displaying a commanding grasp of the issues and a clear vision for the future. Taft spoke off-the-cuff from notes, while Stelmach stuck to his media team’s script.
Polling trends released recently by Insight newsletter show PC support at 40 per cent and falling, while Alberta Liberal support is at 30 per cent and rising.
“All across this province, people have been telling me it’s time for change. Not with the same tired Stelmach Tories, but with a party that has the vision and the leadership to create permanent prosperity.”
“The Alberta Liberals have a plan to get the job done right.”
Alberta Liberals commit $800 million to Calgary Ring Road
Calgary – Kevin Taft and an Alberta Liberal government will commit $800 million towards the construction of the South West Calgary Ring Road.
“The Stelmach Tories have been dithering on the construction of this crucial infrastructure for too long,” said Taft. “If a government isn’t meeting the basic needs of its citizens, then what on earth is it good for?”
Taft said the current government’s repeated delays on getting the ring road built are another indicator of a government that has stopped listening to its citizens.
“This is the same government that blew up a hospital in this city and has delayed for a decade on building a new one. It’s the same government that has dithered on building badly needed schools, and failed to shorten waiting times in our hospitals by training more health professionals.”
“It’s time to end the wasteful spending habits of this government. Albertans deserve a government that spends on Albertans’ priorities.”
Funding for the Calgary Ring Road was included in the costing announcement the Alberta Liberals made last Friday. It falls within the Alberta Liberal plan for partnering more closely with cities, and giving them access to secure and predictable funding for major infrastructure.
“The Alberta Liberals are committed to doing public business in public,” said Taft. “The Tories will carry on in their typical way of making deals behind closed doors, then bringing spending decisions to the Legislature after the fact.”
“This is unacceptable. Even poker players have their chips on the table. The Alberta Liberals will be accountable to Albertans by making major decisions in public, and by properly resourcing those decisions.”
Taft said the Alberta Liberals will work closely with the Tsuu T’ina Nation to reach agreement on using the Nation’s land for a portion of the ring road.
“We will be approaching this discussion in good faith, and with an understanding of the importance of this land to the Tsuu T’ina Nation. The Alberta Liberal Party is committed to reaching an agreement that benefits everyone. We’re going to proceed with respect and equity.”
“Resourcing this priority is a demonstration that we’re serious about getting a ring road built.”
As described in Friday’s platform costing announcement by the Alberta Liberals, the $800 million will come from the Sustainability Fund, which was originally intended as a $2.5 billion contingency fund in case of a natural disaster or other emergency. The Tories have been using the Sustainability Fund as a convenient way to stash extra surplus dollars outside of proper legislative control, and it now stands at $7.7 billion.
“The higher price to pay here is in not acting,” said Taft. “The real cost is in the untold hours that Calgarians will spend locked in traffic, when they could be at home with their families, or at work contributing to the economy. The cost is also in rising greenhouse gas emissions as hundreds of cars sit idle in traffic.”
“The Alberta Liberals have a plan that will get the job done right for a change. We’re ready to get to work on addressing Albertans’ needs and priorities.”
Campaign 2008 -- Week 3 in review: Viewers speak out on Alberta Liberal Leader Kevin Taft’s debate performance
Edmonton – Alberta Liberal Leader Kevin Taft continued to build momentum going into the homestretch of the 2008 election campaign. Most indicators and experts say Taft swayed viewers.
Here’s the results of various media online polls the day after the leaders’ debate, of viewers’ opinions on who won (as of 6 p.m., Feb. 22):
CFCN-Calgary
Kevin Taft – 43%
Ed Stelmach – 32%
Brian Mason – 9%
Paul Hinman – 16%
CFRN-Edmonton
Kevin Taft – 68%
Ed Stelmach – 16%
Brian Mason – 7%
Paul Hinman – 4%
CHED- Edmonton
Kevin Taft – 42%
Ed Stelmach – 27%
Brian Mason – 7%
Paul Hinman – 17%
QR77-Calgary
Kevin Taft – 49%
Ed Stelmach – 8%
Brian Mason – 18%
Paul Hinman – 17%
Again, Taft pressed forward with the Alberta Liberals’ agenda with major announcements on health care, post-secondary education, child care and platform costing. In announcing his platform costs, Taft highlighted the Stelmach PC’s blind spot: its record of bloated, unplanned spending. Instead, the Alberta Liberal plan will reallocate funds to fix Alberta’s priorities – investing where the money will do the most good – rather than spending more.
In other news, Mark Lisac, publisher of the well-respected Insight newsletter, updated polling trends yesterday to portray the current public opinion environment based on recent polls. It showed PC support at 40% and falling and Alberta Liberal support at 30% and rising.
Here’s what the media had to say:
· The Alberta Liberals … kept their word yesterday, releasing a package that showed the party's election promises will top $1.6 billion. But rather than commit to new spending, the party said it would find that money by ferreting out waste - at least 5% of the total $33 billion Alberta spends per year. The party would also freeze spending at current rates plus inflation, and would try to carve back more than that 5%.” (Edmonton Sun, February 23, 2008)
“You could argue Liberal Leader Kevin Taft was the most dynamic and passionate [during the leaders’ debate]. He also seemed to be the one leader who was clearly enjoying himself. During the commercial breaks he would joke with the journalists on the panel while Conservative Leader Ed Stelmach huddled intently with a couple of his advisors.” (Edmonton Journal, Graham Thomson, February 23, 2008)
“Who was the most personable, the most friendly, the most at ease? I think it was Kevin Taft of the Liberals by a long shot,” (Bruce Foster, CFCN-TV Calgary, February 22, 2008)
“I thought that Kevin Taft put in a really good performance. I think he looked like a premier-in-waiting. He looked comfortable and animated, and he got his message across,” (Doreen Barrie, University of Calgary professor, Edmonton Journal, February 22, 2008)
· “Kevin tries a little too hard on the dramatic side but, to his credit, he does not bury himself in egghead obscurity. He is clear. In fact, he repeats how the Tories have to be held to account for their record.” (Rick Bell, Calgary Sun, February 22, 2008)
“I think Taft came out really well. He had a lot of connectable language. He seemed to be talking honestly. He was very passionate… The debate helped me figure out who I would ask to go for a beer with. Taft is colourful, I would probably like to go out for a drink with the guy…. I think probably the strongest was Taft because he had a bit more personality and I think he did really well in overcoming his previous persona, which was the academic egghead. He came out warm and friendly, certainly more than Ed [Stelmach].” (Matthew Blimke, academic adviser for native studies at the U of A, Edmonton Journal, February 22, 2008)
· “[Taft is] the only leader showing positive momentum in the polls, he had a chance to impress large numbers of voters, and perhaps shove Tory support into serious decline. Well aware of the stakes, Taft came charging into the ring right from the start, clenching his fists theatrically as he talked about grabbing the future.” (Don Braid, Calgary Herald, February 22, 2008)
· “Were you unable to picture Kevin Taft as premier? The [Alberta] Liberal leader probably made his aspiration believable even to those who don’t care for the policy alternatives he offered. Defying Mason’s attempts to paint the [Alberta] Liberals as a sort of corporate-backed Tweedledum to the Tories’ Tweedledee, Taft insisted that the best way of protecting jobs is to be more aggressive on climate change, not less so, and rather effectively claimed that an estimated $1 billion environmental charge is not so large in a $244-billion provincial economy.” (Editorial, Edmonton Journal, February 22, 2008)
· [Alberta] Liberal Leader Kevin Taft managed to shed his professorial demeanour to deliver an animated denunciation of how the Progressive Conservatives have ‘dropped the ball’ on problems associated with growth. He became particularly animated on the state of health care. ‘People are dying while we sit here and debate.’” (Fort McMurray Today, February 22, 2008)
· “The other thing that [Kevin Taft] did well, and from the beginning, is he talked to people. Like, if you noticed when he was talking, he was talking to the panelists and actually making contact and he was the only one of the four that, for example in their 45 second opening, didn’t use a speech. He didn’t use notes, and it made a difference.”(Bob Hooey , Executive Speech Consultant, Breakfast Television—City TV, February 22, 2008)
“Liberal Leader Kevin Taft has skillfully positioned himself as king of the concrete jungle, with an election promise to give Edmonton and Calgary their own charters… Raising the provocative idea of more municipal autonomy strategically shows Taft as a leader who gets the needs of Alberta's cities, where two-thirds of the population reside… Taft's idea is worthy of some vigorous debate and working out those details.” (Editorial, Calgary Herald, February 18, 2008)
“The Liberal platform is, by a long shot, the only one that respects the true meaning of the word ‘plan.’” (Todd Babiak, Edmonton Journal, February 19, 2008)
“Taft has been providing intelligent plans for the province for years, while Klein provided none…Frankly it's Taft's intelligence that has drawn so many of us former Conservatives to back him.” (Letter to the editor from Alan Spiller, St. Albert Gazette, February 16, 2008)
And it was another week of campaign train wrecks for PC Leader Ed Stelmach:
“The oil and gas industry feels betrayed from this government, and that's reflected in the amount of money we [the PC party] can't raise. About 70 per cent of our money we traditionally raise out of Calgary, so when you see a big drop in the Calgary fundraising, it hurts.” (Anonymous PC finance committee member, Canadian Press, February 22, 2008)
“If we can't get the voters to like us, we'll scare the hell out of them. Heck, worked for the federal Liberals… Kevin will be cast as the taxer, the spender, the controller of citizens and might even be linked to ... gasp, hiss, where are the pitchforks ... Trudeau and his ... wait for it ... N ... E ...P. Now that's an original attack. Not.” (Rick Bell, Calgary Sun, February 23, 2008)
“[Stelmach is] warning darkly that tougher measures ‘will destroy 335,000 jobs for 600,000 new Albertans.’ That kind of sweeping, unsupported assertion is hardly conducive to informed debate.” (Edmonton Journal opinion, February 23, 2008)
Re: Stelmach’s claim that reducing CO2 emissions in the oil sands will cost 335,000 jobs in Alberta: “It's an important topic, not only because it touches on the environment, but because it deals with Stelmach's self-described image as Mr. Honesty/Integrity/Sincerity. Is that 335,000 figure real? Or, more likely, is it scaremongering? He never answered [Kim] Trynacity's question, using his 45 seconds to talk in generalities.” (Graham Thomson, Edmonton Journal, February 23, 2008)
· “Simply reciting his accomplishments into the record since winning the PC leadership 14 months ago may not have been enough to convince a large number of unconvinced Albertans that he - or any of the others - is the best man for the job.” (Neil Waugh, Edmonton Sun, February 22, 2008)
“Stelmach kept saying, ‘This is what I did,’ but he didn't talk about what he's going to do. When we're in an election, we're not looking back, we're looking forward.” (Matthew Blimke, academic adviser for native studies at the U of A, Edmonton Journal, February 22, 2008)
· "Stelmach just continued to show that his government continues to be out of touch…with the average Albertan. He kept talking about 'change' and what they've done, and as an average Albertan, he's done nothing that's helped me.” (David Hartwick, Coventry Hills resident, Calgary Herald, February 22, 2008)
· “It was still a limp performance from a leader whose personal approval rating has been sinking since the start of the campaign. This debate was probably Stelmach's last chance to show real vision, passion, and leadership. Some people might think he did; but if they're a majority, Alberta truly has an advanced case of low political expectations.” (Don Braid, Calgary Herald, February 22, 2008)
· “When you’re getting bushwhacked by your own help, there is something seriously wrong in Toryland.” (Neil Waugh, Edmonton Sun, February 21, 2008)
“There are these Ed moments…he can't string together a sentence, looks like a deer in headlights.” (David Taras, political analyst at the University of Calgary, Calgary Herald, February 21, 2008)
· “Some Tories, I argued, would be happy to see Stelmach lose many seats -- though not the government -- so they'd have an excuse to call a leadership review and replace him with a proper Calgary leader. Prognostications of such sorts are always risky. But these days, I'm feeling pretty farsighted.” (Paula Simons, Edmonton Journal, February 23, 2008)
· The Tories were actually bragging about [the annual surplus above $4 billion] on Tuesday, at the very moment the [Calgary Health Region] popped up and said: ‘We're jammed and we're broke -- help!’ One endlessly surprising Stelmachian quality is the Tory leader's tin ear for dangerous political situations (never mind dangerous medical ones). He just doesn't seem to see them coming.” (Don Braid, Calgary Herald, February 21, 2008)
· "’I've heard they have some urgent needs,’ says Ed, of the Calgary Health Region. No kidding, Sherlock.” (Rick Bell, Calgary Sun, February 21, 2008)
· “Advocates blast Stelmach government for ignoring long-term care needs…The seniors task force of Public Interest Alberta and the Seniors' Action and Liaison Team released reports slamming the province for inadequately funding care and turning much of it over to the private sector… ‘It's about the broken promises, the government has said there will be things available and there will be support, but it hasn't happened.’ [said Chris Swaren, a United Church Minister] (Edmonton Journal, February 21, 2008)
“Ed Stelmach, a Klein veteran of 13 years' standing, is masquerading as the embodiment of change. Steddie is pretending that this is Year Zero, an astonishing repudiation of the record of his former boss (and of himself), who won four consecutive majorities.” (See Magazine, February 21, 2008)
“Stelmach's increased popularity apparently depends on Albertans seeing him as anamiable amateur, a political outsider rather than an old establishment pro. Voters are being asked to believe that the premier's résumé doesn't count and that if he does have any experience, he is very sorry about it.” (See Magazine, February 21, 2008)
“Funny thing about chickens. They do come home to roost and no one talks anymore about how smart it was to close hospitals in a growing city, like the Tories did. No one pretends fewer beds will somehow bring more care, like the Tories did.” (Rick Bell, Calgary Sun, February 20, 2008)
“I can't give you positive slogans here, because Ed is not overwhelming, Ed is not impressive, and Ed is not leading people flocking to his party.” (Peter McCormick, political scientist at the University of Lethbridge, Edmonton Journal, February 20, 2008)
“Today, Ed Stelmach, the Premier of Alberta, may find he's short one helpful favour himself, after his predecessor Ralph Klein, remarking on a report he co-authored for the Fraser Institute that was released yesterday, suggested in the most polite terms possible that the new guy doesn't quite get how to maintain Alberta's economic energy engine.” (Kevin Libin, National Post, February 20, 2008)
“Student leaders, however, said more aggressive financial measures are needed, while opposition parties and some political analysts derided Stelmach's Family Day announcement as doing little to ease the mounting financial crunch facing students in Alberta.” (Calgary Herald, February 19, 2008)
“[Keith Brownsey, political science professor at Mount Royal College] doesn't believe the Tory plan for post-secondary will have a big impact. ‘It seems to be another instance of announcing the same policy a dozen times.’” (Calgary Herald, February 19, 2008)
* “Stelmach and Culture Minister Hector Goudreau released their cultural policy in late January, before they called the election, with some ambitious goals. Yet the government only pledged $12 million in new lottery funding to a plan that, if implemented earnestly, will cost exponentially more.” (Todd Babiak, Edmonton Journal, February 19, 2008)
· “It was another rocky week for Conservative Premier Ed Stelmach on the campaign trail, with environmentalists and a returning officer controversy dogging his every move.” (Edmonton Journal, February 18, 2008)
· “Let's not let ourselves be hypnotized by the poetic alliteration of Stelmach's latest mantra, ‘Greening Our Growth.’ A more accurate epitaph for this public land giveaway would be ‘Robbing Our Residents’ or ‘Burying Our Burrowing Owls.’” (Joyce Hildebrand, Edmonton Journal, February 18, 2008)
· “Stelmach has felt the wrath of cranky voters during the first two weeks of the campaign: moms in Red Deer were unhappy about a lack of quality day-care spaces; oil and gas workers in Drayton Valley vented their frustrations over the royalty plan; and seniors in Strathmore demanded a new long-term-care facility.” (Calgary Herald, February 17, 2008)
Alberta Liberals would help Edmonton get the 23rd Avenue interchange built
South Edmonton traffic flow a chronic problem ignored by PCs, Edmonton-Rutherford’s Rick Miller says
Edmonton – Traffic flow in Edmonton’s south side has been paralyzed for years, and the Alberta Liberals are the only party with a plan to do anything about it.
The Alberta Liberals will invest $1.05 billion more than the PCs in Alberta’s crumbling infrastructure if elected. Of that, the party is committed to investing up to $130 million to help the City of Edmonton get the 23rd Avenue interchange built, thus freeing up the City to invest into other essential municipal projects like LRT expansion and Quesnell Bridge improvements.
“Ed Stelmach had an opportunity to get the job done right and get Edmonton’s traffic moving when he was Ralph Klein’s infrastructure minister,” said Alberta Liberal Edmonton-Rutherford candidate Rick Miller, the party’s shadow finance minister in the last Legislature running for re-election.
“Instead, Klein did nothing, Stelmach did nothing, Dave Hancock did nothing. The PCs did nothing. They knew what needed to be done, and they did nothing,” Miller said. “The south end of the city has been struggling with traffic snarls for the better part of a decade as a result. It’s time to get the job done right.”
Local residents and city councilors have been asking for the province to step in on this essential infrastructure project, one that is critical to the economic well-being of Edmonton and the whole province.
“Edmontonians are well aware that the Stelmach PCs have let them down not only on this project, but on properly supporting our health care system and the professionals who make it work, post-secondary education and training, auto insurance and protecting the environment,” Miller said. “The Alberta Liberals are ready to take the leadership this province needs to go from a government on auto-pilot to a government with energy, priorities and vision.”
“If Ed Stelmach wants this election to be a referendum on his government’s record, south Edmonton residents will certainly judge him on his inaction on the 23rd Avenue interchange.”