'Prickly' Alberta election will have implications for B.C.: expert
If you've checked out the Alberta election on Twitter, you may have come across a picture of NDP leader Rachel Notley's dog with quills in his face.
Notley wrote Edmonton had a lot of wildlife, and the pooch, named Johnny, would be fine. That's probably the nicest jab of the whole campaign, according to political scientist, Duane Bratt.
"It's been a very heated election. And some of the rhetoric has just been way over the top," he told CTV News.
Bratt said there are probably a few reasons for the fever pitch of some of the politicking. One is that elections aren't usually close in Alberta. This time, the race is close, but also the two parties are very different. Danielle Smith's United Conservative Party is leaning further right, while Notley and the NDP are steadfastly left.
"So there's a wide vacuum in between the two parties," explained Bratt, adding, "There is a hangover from COVID that has made our politics very, very nasty. So yeah, it's an election the likes of which we haven't seen before."
Among the lingering effects of COVID-19 are a heightened dislike for Justin Trudeau and the federal government in the wake of their pandemic policies. Smith has often tried to link Notley to the prime minister and federal NDP leader Jagmeet Singh.
Yet for Bratt, the type of rhetoric that goes too far includes a tweet from a Smith supporter who says people will "hunt down" NDP supporters -- if that party wins.
Bratt points out that didn't come from a bot account, but a public figure who has been commenting on the election. He's also worried by rhetoric coming from the Take Back Alberta group.
"Which is an insurgency within the United Conservative Party, led by a man, by David Parker, who gave a speech saying you know, you could vote in socialists, but you have to shoot your way out," added Bratt.
In addition, Bratt pointed out the group was training volunteers to be election scrutineers and monitors, and to watch out for buses full of voters. Bratt said those comments seem to point to non-white Albertans.
As for the campaign itself, Smith is focused on economic issues, pointing out how bad finances were when Notley was premier.
Notley is emphasizing healthcare, claiming Smith would get rid of some of the universal aspects of the system.
Smith is also promising to opt out of the Canada Pension Plan and to replace the RCMP with a provincial force. Then, there's the Sovereignty Act.
"The Sovereignty Act was the principal piece of legislation passed by Smith last fall, that would allow the provincial government to unilaterally nullify federal laws and direct provincial entities to violate federal laws," said Bratt.
Even with an NDP win next door -- relations could be frosty. Notley as premier took on the B.C. government over environmental and energy issues related to the Trans Mountain pipeline.
Election day in Alberta is May 29th.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Demonstrators kicked out of Ontario legislature for disruption after failed keffiyeh vote
A group of demonstrators were kicked out of the legislature after a second NDP motion calling for unanimous consent to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh failed to pass.
RCMP uncovers alleged plot by 2 Montreal men to illegally sell drones, equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a plot by two men in Montreal to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
Government agrees to US$138.7M settlement over FBI's botching of Larry Nassar assault allegations
The U.S. Justice Department announced a US$138.7 million settlement Tuesday with more than 100 people who accused the FBI of grossly mishandling allegations of sexual assault against Larry Nassar in 2015 and 2016, a critical time gap that allowed the sports doctor to continue to prey on victims before his arrest.
Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Pro-Palestinian protests roiling U.S. colleges escalate with arrests, new encampments and closures
The student protests of Israel's war with Hamas that have been creating friction at U.S. universities escalated Tuesday as new encampments sprouted and some colleges encouraged students to stay home and learn online, after dozens of arrests across the country.
Tabloid publisher says he pledged to be Trump campaign's 'eyes and ears' during 2016 race
A veteran tabloid publisher testified Tuesday that he pledged to be Donald Trump 's 'eyes and ears' during his 2016 presidential campaign, recounting how he promised the then-candidate that he would help suppress stories that had the potential to harm the Republican's election bid.
Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.