The
writ will drop for the Alberta election on May 1, and voters will head to the polls on May 29.
But the two top rival parties, the governing United Conservative Party (UCP) led by Danielle Smith and the former governing Alberta NDP led by Rachel Notley, have already been in campaign mode for months.
Here’s a look at some of the policy items the two major parties have announced so far.
UCP
Health CareAfter assuming leadership of the UCP, Smith dismantled the Alberta Health Services board and appointed an administrator for quicker reforms.
In its
platform, the party says it will restore “local decision-making closer to point-of-care” and direct more resources to front-line care.
The party also pledges to improve emergency response times, address staffing challenges “especially in rural areas,” and expand supports for mental health and addictions. Under the UCP, Alberta has taken on a
treatment-based approach to dealing with addiction, as opposed to B.C.’s harm-reduction approach.
Smith has tasked her health minister to look into
establishing Health Spending Accounts for services not covered by public health insurance, such as physiotherapy and medications.
Economy
In its
platform, the UCP says it will create the “conditions to grow industries and businesses, and job opportunities,” reduce barriers to interprovincial trade for agriculture and food production, and focus on development in the energy sector.
Under its Jobs and Economy section, the party’s platform also says it will develop tourism amenities such as campgrounds and other attractions, adding that it will “engage with minority communities and support anti-racism initiatives.”
It also commits to develop strategies to “address labour market gaps.”
Smith has said her party is keeping the budget balanced and will grow the
Heritage Savings Trust Fund, the province’s main long-term savings fund.
Cost of Living
The UCP
says it will index all provincial tax brackets retroactive to 2022, which it says will result in larger tax rebates.
The party
says it will also provide families with $600 over six months for each child under 18 for households earning less than $180,000, cut childcare fees in half, and provide more support for early childhood educators.
It also plans to provide $600 over six months to those receiving payments under the Income Support, Persons with Developmental Disabilities, and Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped programs, and invest in food banks and low-income transit passes.
On electricity, the UCP says it will provide an additional $200 in rebates per home and limit spikes in winter electricity rates. The party says it will also continue the natural gas rebate program.
The UCP also commits to suspending the provincial fuel tax for at least six months and not increasing personal income taxes.
Energy Sector
The UCP
says it will focus on “hydrogen and petrochemicals” and further developments in “helium, lithium, liquified natural gas, geothermal energy, and minerals.”
Smith has stressed that natural gas has an important role to play to supply the province’s energy needs.
Other Pledges
Shortly after winning the UCP leadership race, Smith brought in her Alberta Sovereignty Act, and her government has been pushing back against the federal government’s gun control legislation.
Ahead of the election, the party
says it will defend “Alberta’s rights under the Canadian constitution” and push back “against federal programs that create hardships for farmers and ranchers.” The party also says it will develop stronger relationships with other provinces and territories to pursue mutual economic prosperity.
The party recently announced an emission reduction
plan, saying it will reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 without impeding the economy.
Late last year,
the UCP government amended the province’s Police Act, bringing more civilian oversight over communities served by RCMP, and establishing an independent commission to investigate complaints against the police.
Shortly after becoming UCP leader, Smith asked her finance minister to look into moving to a provincial pension plan, but the issue isn’t listed as one of the priorities in the party’s plan ahead of the election.
NDP
Health Care The party
says it will create Family Health Teams that include different health-care professionals to provide care for a patient. This could include having a team of doctors, instead of one doctor, as well as other health professionals such as nurses and pharmacists, working with each patient.
The teams would work out of a “medical home,” where patients can go to receive care from a variety of professionals. These facilities would need to support “large interprofessional teams,” and could be established by renovating existing clinics or building new ones, the party says.
The party says that with its proposed plan, within 10 years, up to 1 million more people in Alberta can have access to a doctor within two days.
Economy
According to its
platform, the NDP will create a tax credit program to support emerging industrial sectors. The party also looks to expand the current
Alberta Petrochemical Incentive Program that provides grants to attract investment into the province’s petrochemicals sector.
Notley has said her party has a plan to create 47,000 new jobs and bring $20 billion in private investment in emerging sectors “like new technology, value-added agriculture, petrochemicals, and much more.”
For “responsible companies,” it says projects will be approved using a fast-pass program and the province will consult indigenous communities to expand the Alberta Indigenous Opportunity Corporation.
The party says it will also remove the Sovereignty Act introduced by the UCP government, saying it has created uncertainty in the province.
Cost of Living
The NDP’s housing plan promises to provide homes for 40,000 Albertans within the next five years.
The plan, which includes
11 proposals, will place more focus on improving various supports for low-income people and increasing the housing supply in shelters and social housing units.
It also proposes to increase the income threshold for allowable assets above $25,000 once the waiting list for affordable housing is reduced. Other measures include creating a home ownership program.
The party
says it will increase the Seniors Benefit, Income Supports, and Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped payments.
NDP’s platform also
says it will provide more funding to Family and Community Support Services and support organizations “that support individuals to become more self-sufficient.”
The party, like the UCP, has also pledged not to increase income taxes.
Energy Sector
The party says it will
build more infrastructure in an industrial area northeast of Edmonton to relieve traffic congestion. The area includes major hydrocarbon processing plants.
Other Pledges
The NDP also pledges to invest
$200 million to establish an academic/business campus in downtown Calgary, launch programs to
revitalize Calgary’s downtown, accelerate
construction of the South Edmonton Hospital,
expand the Red Deer Regional Hospital, and
build a business district in St. Albert.
The party also said this month that it will fund 150 more police officers for municipalities, and add 150 support workers such as mental health professionals and addiction counsellors to create integrated teams.
