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Alberta Votes 2008 Headlines

It's 'Ed's Empire' after Alberta election sweep: Political observers in Alberta are calling it remarkable and opposition politicians are wondering what hit them after Ed Stelmach guided his Conservative party Monday to one of its biggest majorities ever.
Low voter turnout in Alberta election being questioned: As Premier Ed Stelmach and Alberta Conservatives savour their sweeping election victory, some people are raising a nagging concern: why so few people bothered to vote.
Albertans elect historic 11th straight Tory government: Voters in Alberta stuck with tried-and-true blue, giving the Progressive Conservative party an unprecedented 11th consecutive majority government in Monday's provincial election.
Political tide turns in Edmonton: Alberta Progressive Conservative Leader Ed Stelmach has proven true to his word, putting the "Ed" back in Edmonton.
Conservatives' Calgary fortress resists change: The Progressive Conservatives' fortress in Calgary stood strong as the party took 18 of the city's 23 ridings Monday night.
'No free ride' for Tories, Taft pledges despite huge losses: In a voice shaking with emotion, Alberta Liberal Leader Kevin Taft conceded a major defeat at the hands of the Progressive Conservative dynasty Monday.
Wildrose Alliance shut out: The Wildrose Alliance Party failed to make inroads among Alberta's conservative-minded voters in Monday night's provincial election, and its sole sitting MLA, leader Paul Hinman, lost his seat.
New Democrat caucus cut in half: The New Democrats have seen their caucus cut from four to two at the hands of a huge Tory majority, which swept Edmonton in Monday night's election.
'Watch' ridings go mostly Tory blue: Alberta's Conservative government swept back to power, winning 73 of 83 provincial seats.
Hinman loses hometown horse race: Wildrose Alliance Leader Paul Hinman lost a tight race in his home riding of Cardston-Taber-Warner, defeating Conservative candidate Broyce Jacobs.
Bittersweet return to legislature for Liberal leader: Alberta Liberal Leader Kevin Taft has won his seat in Edmonton-Riverview, but his party was walloped in Monday's election.
Stelmach cruises to fifth term in rural home riding: Voters in Fort Saskatchewan-Vegreville gave Conservative Leader Ed Stelmach another comfortable victory in his home riding, taking 78 per cent of the vote.
NDP Leader Brian Mason re-elected in Edmonton riding: NDP Leader Brian Mason has been re-elected in his home riding of Edmonton-Highlands-Norwood.
All 20 Alberta cabinet ministers re-elected: 20 returning Alberta cabinet ministers have been re-elected in their home ridings.
Tories take first seat in Alberta election: The Conservative party has elected the first candidate in Alberta's provincial election, CBC news is projecting.
$5M golden handshake for outgoing MLAs: It will cost Alberta taxpayers more than $5 million to say goodbye to 20 MLAs who are not running in the provincial election.
Parties blitz Calgary in final Alberta campaign weekend: The leaders of Alberta's three main political parties descended on Calgary for one final campaign push before Monday's provincial election in the city that was once an unassailable Tory fortress.
Health board member steps down after political endorsement: A member of a southern Alberta health board has resigned from her government-appointed position after coming under fire for taking out a newspaper ad endorsing a Conservative candidate in Monday's election.
No polling station on southwestern reserves: Thousands of voters from the Blood Tribe and Piikani Nation in southwestern Alberta will have to drive up to half an hour to the nearest polling station because there are none set up on their reserves.
Voters have three days to cast advance ballots: Advance polls for the provincial election opened on Thursday for people who fall under four categories, including those who will be away from home on polling day.
Alberta Liberals score highest in doctors' election survey: The province's doctors have given the Alberta Liberal party the highest marks on a health-care questionnaire heading into Monday's election.
Election forums becoming a rare event in Alberta: Political debates, once the mainstay of provincial election campaigns in Alberta, are becoming a thing of the past.
Taft floats idea of touring MLAs: Alberta Liberal Leader Kevin Taft says he would take the legislature on the road for two weeks every year to give people a chance to see their government in action.
Health board member won't be disciplined during election: Stelmach: Tory Leader Ed Stelmach said he doesn't support a government-appointed health board member who publicly endorsed a party candidate, but any action on the issue will have to wait.
Stelmach softens job loss statistic in final days of campaign: After repeatedly insisting that caps on carbon emissions would lead to the loss of more than 300,000 jobs in Alberta, Conservative Leader Ed Stelmach altered his message Tuesday.
Health board member's Tory endorsement ad 'inappropriate': A member of the Chinook Health Region is under fire for taking out a newspaper ad endorsing a Conservative candidate in the Alberta election, CBC News has learned.
Taft pledges $650M to expand Cross Cancer Institute: Alberta Liberal Leader Kevin Taft promised people in central and northern Alberta improved access to cancer treatment Tuesday by committing to a $650 million expansion to Edmonton's Cross Cancer Institute.
Edmonton riding to rerun 2004's closest vote: The March 3 Alberta election features a rematch of the tightest race from 2004.
Racist term sprayed on Alberta election campaign sign: Police in Edmonton are looking for whoever spray-painted a racist word on an election sign in front of Edmonton-Mill Creek Liberal candidate Aman Gill's campaign office.
NDP loosens purse strings for TV campaign: The Alberta New Democratic Party is launching the biggest TV campaign in its history with commercials set to run during the Academy Awards on Sunday night.
Alberta leaders target Stelmach in sole election debate: Alberta Conservative Leader Ed Stelmach lived up to his "Steady Eddie" nickname, withstanding an attack by opposition party leaders during the only debate before the March 3 election.
Scrutineer says he witnessed partisan poll comments: A man who worked as a poll observer told CBC News he was shocked by the behaviour of a Calgary returning officer and his poll clerks during the 2004 election.
Health region's funding crisis becomes election issue: The Calgary Health Region's request for more provincial funding to ease hospital wait times has thrust health care into the Alberta election campaign spotlight.
Stelmach promises $150M in tax credits for non-energy R&D: The Tories will introduce $150 million in tax credits to promote research and development in areas other than oil and gas in Alberta, Ed Stelmach promised on the campaign trail Tuesday.
Liberal accuses Edmonton Tory candidate of distorting her record: Accusations are flying in the riding of Edmonton-Centre, with the Liberal candidate saying her Tory rival is distorting her record in the legislature.
Labour shortage hits election polling stations: With less than two weeks until the provincial election, Elections Alberta is short more than 500 polling-day workers for seven Calgary ridings.
Liberals would hike pay for Alberta child-care workers: The Alberta Liberal Party is promising to boost wages for child-care workers by 15 to 30 per cent to deal with the crippling labour shortage many daycare centres are facing.
Central Alberta activist campaigns for Green breakthrough: An activist who successfully led the fight against a contentious power line is one of the Alberta Greens' best hopes of winning the party's first legislative seat.
Only 2 parties running full slate of candidates: The Tories and the NDP are running a full slate, but for the second straight election, the Alberta Liberals have failed to field a full share of candidates.
NDP calls for 4,000 new child-care spaces, cap on fees: Alberta New Democrats would pump an extra $268 million into creating thousands of new child-care spaces in the province and capping fees, party leader Brian Mason said Monday.
Liberals to cut post-secondary tuition by $1,000: Alberta university and college students would get a $1,000 break on tuition and a $300 credit to help them buy books and tools under a Liberal education platform released Friday by leader Kevin Taft.
'Aggressive' emissions caps, green power in NDP environment plan: Alberta's New Democrats would do more to bring alternative energy projects on line and slow down the pace of development, said party leader Brian Mason Friday.
Liberals push for impartial election hiring: Alberta's Liberal party renewed a call for returning officers to be appointed by an impartial body, after CBC News revealed that people in the positions have close ties to the Tories.
Voters cranky in Fort McMurray as Stelmach tours region: People in Fort McMurray are getting their chance to voice complaints about the roads and other services they need to Conservative Leader Ed Stelmach.
Elections Alberta disputes Stelmach's claim about returning officers: About half of the 83 returning officers in next month's provincial election have past connections to the Tories, said an Elections Alberta spokeswoman.
Tories pledge to be tough on crime and hire more cops: A Conservative government would put more police in Alberta communities and expand the powers of municipalities to shut down drug houses, said Tory Leader Ed Stelmach.
Leaders juggle wooing voters with romancing spouses: An election campaign is not generally a time for roses and hearts, but then again it's not often a campaign is underway on Valentine's Day.
NDP housing platform: rent controls, grants to first-time buyers: Alberta's New Democrats unveiled their affordable housing policy Wednesday, promising to rent controls and loans for first-time home buyers.
Alberta Liberals promise seniors lower taxes, utility savings: Alberta seniors who are homeowners would save an extra $1,000 a year under a plan proposed Wednesday by provincial Liberal Leader Kevin Taft.
Several returning officers linked to Tories: Ed Stelmach insists there's no problem with a returning officer, who is supposed to be an impartial election referee, posting photos of herself wearing an Alberta Tory T-shirt and attending party events.
Some rural Tories switching their votes: Some rural Albertans in the heartland of Tory support are planning on changing their votes in the March 3 provincial election.
Government confident about insurance cap appeal: The Alberta government says it has a "good basis" to appeal a ruling that struck down the province's payout caps for some automobile injuries.
Greens envision 'happier, healthier, wealthier' Alberta: Going beyond environmental policies, the Alberta Greens highlighted subsidized housing and paid tuition for health-care students in the launch of the party's election platform.
Tories propose $40M for new Calgary science centre: If re-elected, the Progressive Conservatives would invest $40 million in new science centre in Calgary near the zoo.
Youth group explores participation by ethnic candidates: A Calgary youth group says more needs to be done to encourage people from various ethnic backgrounds to run for government office.
Environmentalist disrupts Tory green announcement: An environmentalist stole the show from Ed Stelmach Monday as the Alberta Conservative leader wrapped up an announcement of his party's "green plan."
Opposition parties call for removal of returning officer: Controversy continues in Calgary-Montrose as the Alberta Liberals and NDP raise questions about a possible conflict of interest by the riding's returning officer.
Stelmach's staff 'talking down' to constituents, Tory candidate says: Star Alberta Tory candidate Arthur Kent said Saturday he doesn't like the way party staff are communicating with candidates and constituents.
End 'corrupting' corporate donations, NDP says: Surrounded by Calgary's corporate towers, Alberta's NDP leader called for a ban on donations from big business and unions to the province's political parties.
Stelmach promises tax relief for seniors: Alberta seniors can expect a five-year freeze on provincial property taxes, as well as other tax relief, the Progressive Conservatives pledged.
Liberals lay out platform for southern Alberta: In an attempt to woo voters in southern parts of the province, the Alberta Liberals promised to protect the area's water supply and invest in Lethbridge's post-secondary schools.
Stelmach gets chilly response to daycare plan: Conservative Leader Ed Stelmach faced a skeptical group of mothers at a Red Deer daycare Thursday.
Former Manning aide endorses Liberal candidate: Ron Wood, the former press secretary to Reform Party founder Preston Manning, is shifting his allegiance to the Alberta Liberals in the provincial election.
Liberals release rural agenda, climate change plan: Alberta Liberal Leader Kevin Taft travelled to a livestock auction market in Ponoka to unveil his rural agenda Thursday.
Tory health-care, AISH promises under microscope: Questions are being raised about some Tory campaign promises, including changes to Alberta's disability aid program and two proposed health-care high schools.
Rent cap, housing director top Liberal homelessness strategy: Standing on a downtown Calgary corner, Liberal Leader Kevin Taft unveiled six steps to tackle homelessness in the province.
Taft promises to expand Edmonton LRT, hire more U of A profs: Liberal Leader Kevin Taft unveiled his vision for the Edmonton region Wednesday.
AISH change will help workers with disabilities: Stelmach: Tory Leader Ed Stelmach proposed a change Wednesday to the same disability aid benefit that got his predecessor Ralph Klein in hot water during the last provincial election.
Tories appoint candidate in embattled Calgary riding: Ed Stelmach has appointed a law student to carry the Progressive Conservative banner in the riding of Calgary-Montrose.
NDP calls for higher oil and gas royalties: NDP Leader Brian Mason accused the Tory government Tuesday of selling out Albertans and allowing oil and gas companies to keep billions of dollars.
Liberal leader pledges to lower royalties for natural gas: If elected to govern Alberta, the Liberals would reduce royalties natural gas companies pay to the province, leader Kevin Taft told a Calgary news conference.
Stelmach unveils plan to train more doctors and nurses: In his first announcement of the provincial election campaign, Tory Leader Ed Stelmach promised Tuesday to train hundreds of new doctors, nurses and other health-care workers.
Impact of third-party election ads overrated: analyst: Third party political advertising goes unfettered in Alberta but there is little evidence it influences voter behavior, political scientist Lisa Young said.
Albertans to vote March 3: After weeks of election speculation in Alberta, Conservative Leader Ed Stelmach announced Monday there will be a provincial election on March 3.
Stelmach promises to erase health care premiums: Premier Ed Stelmach's government is promising to phase out health care premiums for Alberta families over the next four years.
Wildrose Alliance Party president calls it quits: The president of the newly formed Wildrose Alliance Party has resigned, citing problems with the Jan. 19 merger between the Wildrose Party of Alberta and the Alberta Alliance.
Alberta Liberals unveil election platform: The Alberta Liberals are off and running for a provincial election that hasn't been called yet, with promises to eliminate health care premiums, lower electricity prices, and cap greenhouse gases within five years.
Taxpayers federation accuses Alberta government of pork-barrel politics: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is criticizing the Alberta government for its pre-election spending.
Attack ads take premier to task for 'lack of plan': Premier Ed Stelmach is shrugging off a series of attack ads accusing his Progressive Conservatives of not having a plan to manage Alberta's growth.

ALBERTA VOTES 2008

Alberta Votes 2008 Headlines