New look? Why an Alberta NDP shift could attract voters
It's long been considered the home for Alberta's left-leaning voters, but experts believe a policy shift is tilting the NDP toward new territory.
Political watchers say the New Democrats are rolling out new ideas -- ideas around energy and budgets, for example -- that are typically considered right-wing.
And they believe people are taking notice.
"This is one of those campaigns where you might start to see people think a little differently," former Alberta premier Alison Redford told CTV News.
"We have had a history of people who voted conservative their entire life in Alberta, and people that have not voted for the NDP. But we start to see inside of these economic discussions that the leaders are having, almost a morphing of ideas and issues.
"It's not as easy to distinguish what is an NDP idea from a conservative idea anymore."
Redford won't endorse either side but did acknowledge some "traditional" Tories are -- perhaps unexpectedly -- moving toward Rachel Notley.
The NDP leader has made a push in the first week of campaigning to bring in more first-time voters.
So has Danielle Smith and the UCP.
She believes her party represents a better chance for working people to get ahead.
But as one party shifts, many see the other front-runner also moving.
Redford believes Take Back Alberta may be playing a role in the new conservative identity.
"Now, we're seeing a lot more discussion about what the UCP actually is," she said.
"Is that party the United Conservative Party, or is that a party that's being run by other organizations?"
Redford's former deputy premier agrees.
In fact, Thomas Lukaszuk says his Progressive Conservative cabinet colleagues -- and even some of former premier Ralph Klein's staff -- do, too.
"This is the Wildrose that we so much detested as Progressive Conservatives, except it's on steroids right now," he said.
Lukaszuk says he'll be casting a ballot for the NDP because he believes their competitor has gone too far to the right side of the political spectrum.
"This isn't about tribalism anymore," he said. "This isn't us versus them. Join Team Alberta. And if you have to hold your nose, lend them your vote this time around."
UCP RESPONSE
UCP candidate Ric McIver doesn't buy the claims the NDP is a new party.
"Rachel Notley has been recycling old ideas all campaign, and this is no different," he told CTV News in a statement.
"In 2019, Ms. Notley asked Calgary conservatives to vote for her. They voted for low taxes, jobs and investment instead. The UCP has delivered on all those fronts, with major success."
McIver says his party will create more jobs, cut taxes and make life more affordable.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6979388.1722030190!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
Celine Dion delivers stirring comeback performance at Paris Olympics opening ceremony
Against the rainy Paris night sky, Celine Dion staged the comeback of her career with a powerful performance from the Eiffel Tower to open the Olympic Games.
Jasper wildfire: 'Several weeks' before residents can return, premier says
Premier Danielle Smith said Friday afternoon in Hinton while weather conditions are cooler, the Jasper fire is still considered out of control and that Jasper residents can expect to be away from their homes 'for several weeks.'
Missing 3-year-old boy found dead in creek in Mississauga: police
A three-year-old boy has been found dead a day after he went missing in a park in Mississauga, Peel police say.
Irish museum pulls Sinead O'Connor waxwork after just one day due to backlash
An Irish museum will withdraw a waxwork of singer-songwriter Sinéad O'Connor just one day after installing it, following a backlash from her family and the public, it told CNN in a statement on Friday.
Winnipeg senior's account overdrawn for $146,000 water bill
A Winnipeg senior is getting soaked with a six-figure water bill.
Turpel-Lafond won't sue CBC over Cree heritage report that took 'heavy toll': lawyer
The lawyer for a former judge whose claims to be Cree were questioned in a CBC investigation says his client is not considering legal action against the broadcaster after the Law Society of British Columbia this week backed her claims of Indigenous heritage.
Driver charged after flashing high beams at approaching police
Orillia OPP arrested and charged a driver with impaired driving after flashing their high beams.
Health Canada warns some naloxone kits contain false instructions
Health Canada is warning some take-home naloxone kits come with bad instructions that should be ignored in favour of the correct guidance.
Paris dazzles with a rainy Olympics opening ceremony on the Seine River
Celebrating its reputation as a cradle of revolution, Paris kicked off its first Summer Olympics in a century on Friday with a rain-soaked, rule-breaking opening ceremony studded with stars and fantasy along the Seine River.