There’s just one more day left before Election Day in Alberta, and all signs are pointing to a historic change in government.
The campaigns for all the parties have been marked with drama and distractions, but there are several key issues that have come up as hot button topics.
One of the biggest challenges for voters, however, is how the parties differ.
In relation to the issue of tax plans, the PC government would enact a controversial health care levy announced during the last budget. The Wildrose has promised no new taxes or fees, whereas the Liberals and NDP propose a two percent hike for corporate taxes for big businesses.
All the parties, aside from the NDP, will not be pursuing a royalty review. The NDP says that if they form government, they plan to consult experts and act on their advice within the year.
For health care, all parties have made wait time reduction promises. The NDP has pledged 2,000 long term care beds to reduce pressure on the system.
The PCs plan to cut $159M from the administrative side of the ministry. Both the NDP and Wildrose have pledged to reverse the PCs’ planned health care levy.
Cancer care services have also been a hot-button issue, with the PCs proposing two sites – at Tom Baker and South Calgary – while the NDP would go with the single site at Foothills.
Experts say that it’s not just policies that win votes.
“Health care matters to everyone. Education matters to everyone depending on where you are in the system, maybe K to 12, maybe post-secondary. Everybody’s looking at those policies, but it’s not just those policies. It’s the leadership, it’s the vision for the future, its trust,” says Lori Williams, a political scientist with Mount Royal University.
CTV Calgary will bring you all the Election Day coverage during a special, hosted by Tara Nelson, starting right after the polls close at 8 p.m.
