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Edmonton Journal - Leaders make final push

Leaders make final provincewide push

Archie McLean, The Edmonton Journal; With files from the Calgary Herald

Published: 2:02 am



From Edmonton to Taber, Alberta's political leaders hustled around the province Saturday in a final attempt to sway voters before Monday's election.



Alberta Liberal Leader Kevin Taft stuck to a familiar theme when he told more than 250 boisterous supporters in Edmonton that the province urgently needs a new government after almost 37 years of Conservative rule. "People, we have the chance to make history," he said. "Let's do it now, let's do it together. It's time."



Earlier in the day, he delivered a similar message to about 500 supporters in Calgary and in Red Deer before finishing the day campaigning with Norma Block, the local candidate in Thorsby.



Premier Ed Stelmach was in Calgary, moving through 11 meet and greets with local campaigners. NDP Leader Brian Mason was in Innisfail and Calgary rallying voters and Wildrose Alliance Leader Paul Hinman stuck close to home in his riding of Cardston-Taber-Warner.



Taft has said his party needs a major breakthrough in this election, but he wouldn't make predictions Saturday. He thanked his campaign volunteers and staff and said he's pleased whatever the final results.



In the past week, Taft has raced across the province, making a number of last-minute campaign stops and promises, including holding legislature sittings away from Edmonton for two weeks every year, and a government probe into soaring fertilizer costs for farmers.



Tory leader Stelmach began his "blitz" of Calgary at likely one of the Conservatives' safest ridings in the city -- Ron Stevens' Calgary-Glenmore seat. Most of the day's stops were in front of a few dozen supporters at campaign offices like Stevens'.



Polls have repeatedly shown that Calgary is the main battleground of the 2008 campaign, with the Tories seemingly in a dogfight with the Liberals in many ridings. Stelmach pleaded with Progressive Conservative supporters to cast a ballot Monday to ensure that Calgary remains a Tory stronghold and isn't swamped by a red Liberal surge.



"I'm being very frank with the voters -- please give us our support. We're listening to Calgarians," Stelmach told reporters following a campaign stop in Calgary-Varsity, currently held by the Liberals.



"I know we have the support. It's just a matter of ensuring that they do go out and vote."



In response to a protest at the legislature Saturday by members of the northern Alberta Fort Chipewyan aboriginal community, Stelmach said the government will soon receive a report on cumulative environmental effects of oilsands development. He pledged to continue working with aboriginal communities.



The NDP held their Calgary rally in the riding of Calgary-Fort, which leader Brian Mason has given special attention. Mason has already held a press conference on affordable housing in the riding, and party candidate Julie Hrdlicka has been campaigning there for more than a year.



The New Democrats haven't held a seat in the city since 1993, but Mason told the crowd of about 60 supporters that some Calgary candidates will win Monday.



amclean@thejournal.canwest.com



© The Edmonton Journal 2008

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