Alberta Election Writ Days Away, NDP and UCP Pledge No Personal Tax Increases If Elected

UCP also promises not to raise business income taxes

Alberta NDP Leader Rachel Notley (L) and UCP Leader Danielle Smith. Jason Franson; Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press

EDMONTON—Days away from an expected election writ being dropped in Alberta, both the NDP and UCP have announced they will not increase provincial personal income taxes if elected, in what is shaping up to be a hotly contested leadership race.

The United Conservative Party (UCP) and Premier Danielle Smith took that promise one step further at an April 26 news conference at a Calgary bakery shop. She vowed to freeze business taxes and hold a referendum on any future tax hikes if returned to power.