The day that many people have been waiting for to kick off their summer is finally here. People are already out in droves awaiting the Stampede Parade, to kick off the Calgary Stampede.
This year’s parade is coming with a political tilt – three leaders of Canada’s major political parties are in the city on Friday, shaking hands and lobbying for votes.
The federal election is just six months away and Stephen Harper, Justin Trudeau, and Thomas Mulcair have all chosen the Stampede Parade as their chance to meet with voters.
All three are expected to be embracing Western culture during the day, and that includes taking part in many of the traditional Stampede breakfasts.
As for their platforms, the Conservatives are sticking with their track record of a balanced budget and lower taxes, while the Liberals and NDP are focusing their efforts on solidifying the middle class vote.
Harper said that the biggest challenge in 2015 so far has been the drop in oil prices and the changes in the oil sector, but he says Alberta will pull through. "I've been here almost 35 years and this is a resilient place and it'll be a tough year and it'll bounce back and I've got a lot of confidence in the long term future of the industry in the city."
Thomas Mulcair, the leader of the federal NDP, has come to Calgary, riding the success of the NDP at the provincial level. He says that Albertans are looking much differently at his party than ever before. "The breakthrough here in Alberta and Quebec in the 2011 campaign and it really does show the NDP really does represent change. That's what I hear most when Katherine and I travel coast to coast and we hear that Canadian want change."
Meanwhile Liberal leader Justin Trudeau, in cowboy hat and all, went on the offensive, taking aim at the Conservatives. "The challenge is for ten years, we've had a government that hasn't understood the way to build and diversify our economy. The fact is they're still trying to pit the environment against the economy when we know in terms of tech, exporting our resources responsibly, they need to go together."
Mayor Nenshi said on Thursday that urban issues will be a big factor in the fall general election, including public transit and affordable housing.
He says that the city needs long term, stable funding from Ottawa to complete its goals.
As for the federal election, voting day is tentatively scheduled for October 19, 2015.
