The provincial election in Alberta, Canada, could determine the direction of the country's federal emissions and climate policies for years to come. The incumbent Premier of Alberta, Danielle Smith of the United Conservative Party, is seeking re-election, but polls show that victory could go either way. Smith opposes almost every climate policy proposal from the federal government, while former premier Rachel Notley's left-leaning New Democratic Party agrees with some of Trudeau's policies but opposes a proposal to cap oil and gas emissions.
The upcoming election in Alberta, Canada, offers voters a choice between the populist Conservative United Conservatives and the left-leaning Alberta New Democratic Party. The election has split the Conservative base, with some former lawmakers backing the NDP's Rachel Notley over incumbent Premier Danielle Smith. Polls suggest the UCP is headed for a majority government, but the election will be decided in a handful of suburbs around Alberta's largest city. The race has some of Smith's federal cousins watching closely, and a victory for either candidate could cement their legacy.
The far-right shift of the United Conservative Party in Alberta, Canada, during the pandemic has put the traditionally conservative province up for grabs in Monday's elections. The vote could also serve as a gauge of the conservative standing nationwide. The hard-right turn of the party has created an opening for the left-leaning New Democratic Party to win control of the province. The election is a stark choice between the United Conservatives and the New Democrats, with the outcome hinging largely on how well the parties perform in Calgary.
