Battleground: An election expected to be won or lost in Calgary
With voters set to cast their ballot in this election campaign, polls and political watchers have said Calgary is where the election will either be won or lost for Alberta’s next government.
The United Conservatives are hoping to keep their support they gained in the city in 2019, limiting the New Democrats to only three ridings.
But University of Calgary political scientist Lisa Young says the NDP is hoping to break through that blue wave.
“Calgary has become a really interesting place politically,” she said.
“It's changing from its typical conservative orientation to electing much more progressive mayors.”
Young adds that with the growth of Calgary several conservative strongholds could be up for grabs including Calgary-Acadia, Calgary-Fish Creek and Calgary-Varsity.
“Calgary is a city that is changing in terms of its population,” said Young.
“It's becoming much more diverse and it's becoming more diverse politically.”
In 2015, the NDP crushed Calgary with an orange block securing 14 of 25 ridings. The Alberta Liberals won one seat and so did Greg Clark’s Alberta Party.
In 2019, the latter were obliterated and the NDP lost 11 seats.
The newly formed UCP took 23 of 26 seats after ridings were redrawn.
Young and other political watchers believe Edmonton will experience another orange wave, while rural Alberta will stick to its roots in Tory blue.
“This is the most interesting election in Alberta that I can remember,” said Young.
“For the NDP, turnout among younger voters is essential because we know that they have more support among younger voters and younger people tend to be less likely to vote. So I think there's been a real focus on getting those younger voters out.”
With several high profile progressive conservatives such as Thomas Lukaszak and Doug Griffiths steering clear of the UCP, they say they are “lending” their votes to the NDP.
“For the UCP, I think the focus has been on getting out their core supporters who might have been feeling a little bit reluctant,” Young said.
Voter turnout could also be what leads to who becomes the next premier.
More than 758,000 people voted during five days of advance polls.
But Young believes there are many who are still undecided, hours before polls close.
“Part of what might be going on is that they are typically conservative voters, but perhaps they don't feel comfortable with the current leadership of the UCP or with the UCP’s record,” she said.
“I think for those voters, it might be a difficult choice, because they're not happy with the other viable alternative; the NDP.”
'THERE'S JUST TWO'
Kristine Dawson who lives in Hillhurst, was born and raised in Calgary.
She says the lack of options on the ballot has proved difficult in making a decision.
“For years, (we) voted for David Swann because he was our guy, and he was Liberal,” said Dawson.
“It was this tiny little Liberal spot in the whole province. But you knew who you were voting for. It does feel like there's just two, this year, whereas before there were more options.”
Dawson says she has noticed some hesitancy, even within her own family for those wanting to vote.
“Definitely some complacency and apathy, that I feel,” said Dawson.
“We have three kids, and our middle one this will be her first time voting and she doesn't know what to do.”
LEADERS BATTLE IN CALGARY
Both political leaders spent a major amount of time in the city as well.
The UCP says Danielle Smith spent 19 days of the campaign between May 1 and 29 in Calgary campaigning, making announcements and meeting with voters.
The NDP says Rachel Notley spent 22 days on the trail in Calgary between the same period, visiting 20 of the city’s 26 ridings.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Still so much love between us,' Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Pro-plastic lobbyist presence at UN talks is 'troubling,' say advocates
Environmentalist groups are sounding the alarm about a steep increase in the number of pro-plastic lobbyists at the UN pollution talks taking place this week.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
$70M Lotto Max winners kept prize a secret from family for 2 months
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Courteney Cox says her partner Johnny McDaid once broke up with her in therapy
Courteney Cox's longtime partner Johnny McDaid once broke up with her in a therapy session.