Alberta Politics heating up after decades of stagnation.

What is going to happen to Alberta’s political landscape this election? The Progressive Conservatives stand only to lose this election, while every other party has an opportunity to make significant gains. Some projections predict the Wildrose party will unseat the conservatives this election. The polls place the Wildrose support as high as 37.3 percent with the conservatives trailing by less 4 points with 33.7 percent.

 Will a new conservative dynasty be established in Alberta, or will Alberta become a two party province. Will the era of majorities end? Even if the right holds it control Alberta, at least there is a chance to see some great political debate between the PC’s and the Wildrose.

However, there is another possibility. With votes on the right split, the left has chance to capitalize this election and make some significant gains. The New Democrats are running in all ridings. Will the orange wave hit Alberta? Linda Duncan put an orange stain on Steven Harper’s attempt to paint this province blue. However, if the provincial NDP want to win they will need to mobilize younger demographics, which is a major of the political challenge not just in Canada, but any Western democracy.

Though both the Liberals and Alberta party may not be running candidates in all ridings, they have the opportunity to become major players in Alberta politics by potentially working with the NDP on many issues. However, I think the Alberta party has a lot of potential to shape politics in this province. If a conservative minority is formed they, either Wildrose or PC, will most likely not want work with each other, the NDP, or the Liberals. The Alberta Party might be the only support a minority government could work with to stave off another election.

Every party needs every vote they can get. So your vote matters more now than in any other time in Alberta.

The next posts will discuss policy and platforms of the Parties running.

NDP has a new leader.

Thomas Mulcair is the new leader of the NDP. He is a well educated individual, having taught law at the university level. He also has notable experience working in the bureaucracy. As a public servant he has worked at Legislative Affairs branch of the Justice Ministry, and later in the Legal Affairs Directorate of the Conseil de la langue française. As a politician, Mulcair has been elected provincially, and has served as Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment and Parks under the Charest government. Further more, He was Jack Layton's deputy Leader. However, Mulcair is also noted for making what some would call blunder. He made a controversial comment about the pictures of Osama Bin Laden's corpse that has been Criticized. Please share opinions of Thomas Mulcair and his future as the new leader of the NDP.

What does it mean to you to be a Canadian Citizen

People often discuss their rights as citizens. Very few people discuss their responsibility as a Canadian Citizen. Is our relationship among each just the exchange of taxes for services facilitated by the government or is the something more. Do we have a responsibility to ensure the quality of our country? Is there something wrong with Canadian citizenship? Could declining voter turnout be the cause, no the result, of questionable politicians and disappointing policy?  This is an issue not just in Canada but all the western world. There people around the globe who wish they could have the democratic rights that we have. Do you think we have lived up to our responsibility as citizens.

Accountability and Robocalls

In 2006, one of Steven Harper's major initiatives was to increase government accountability. One of his first moves was to put in place the Accountability Act. Is this past of accountability completely being undermined by Conservative electoral politics. I want to hear from both sides.

New Crime Bill

The Conservative government has passed Bill-C10. Bill-C10 makes several amendments to the criminal code. These amendments enacts minimum sentences and doubles the duration of maximum sentences. For example, for growing marijuana a person can now be incarcerated for up to 14 years instead of the old maximum of 7 years. For more information please read this CBC article and discuss this issue.