Expect the unexpected
PROVINCIAL LIBERAL LEADER CANDIDATE SAYS ELECTION CALL IS POSSIBLE
We’re still two years away from our next provincial election. Or are we? Provincial Liberal leadership candidate David Khan says Premier Rachel Notley may be considering a “snap election” while Alberta’s two rightwing parties are still talking about a merger.
Khan, meeting voters today in Lethbridge, points out premiers and prime ministers have the power to call an election at any time — just as Prime Minister Theresa May did unexpectedly this week in Britain.
“She (Notley) could call one this fall or next spring,” he said in an interview. Jim Prentice called an early election when he was premier, Khan pointed out.
That’s why he’s urging local constituency organizations across Alberta to prepare for their next campaign. But first, Khan hopes to earn more support than Kerry Cundal — both candidates are Calgary lawyers — during the Alberta Liberals’ online voting, May 27 to June 3.
The winner will take over from interim leader David Swann, currently the province’s only Liberal MLA. Khan will meet local voters during a public session this afternoon, starting at 2 p.m. in the Lethbridge Senior Citizens Organization dining area.
A quick vote could capitalize on the wrangling between the Wildrose and Progressive Conservative organizations, he predicted. It could also sidetrack closed-door talks among the Alberta Party and other groups closer to the political centre.
Albertans reject the extreme, socially conservative comments made by some right-wing candidates and politicians, Khan said. But they’re not going to reelect another New Democratic Party government.
“They got the protest vote. That’s not going to happen again.”
Instead, “People want a strong third choice.”
The Notley government has introduced some positive policies and legislation, Khan said.
Returning to a “progressive” income tax for Albertans, mandating Gay-Straight Alliances in Alberta schools and protecting the rights and safety of farm workers are among those Khan applauds.
“I’m happy to give them credit where it’s due.”
But Khan said some of the NDP initiatives — like Bill 6 protecting farm workers — have been rolled out poorly, sparking plenty of opposition. And the government has continued to stir discontent with its carbon tax — as well as its series of deficit budgets.
“They have no plan to pay down the debt,” and no clear plan on how they’re using revenue from the new tax. The government has also shown its ineptitude in dealings with the province’s electrical power industry, he added, incurring needless additional costs.
Khan said the B.C. Liberals — currently in the middle of an election there — are not the same party as the federal or provincial Liberals in Alberta. But the election results there could influence Premier Notley’s thinking on when to call an election in Alberta.
The New Democrats, reportedly ahead in opinion polls, are opposed to expanding the KinderMorgan pipeline which would provide export opportunities for Alberta’s oil.
After negotiating approval from the present B.C. government, Notley could be confronted by another NDP premier with very different views. How would Alberta respond?
Says Khan, “That would be up to Rachel Notley.”