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.
The three television commercials that began airing on Monday criticize the Stelmach Tories for not having a plan to deal with health care, affordable housing and runaway growth.
A group called Albertans for Change took out three commercials criticizing Alberta's premier for not having a plan to manage the province's growth.
"Ed Stelmach, no plan, no way," an announcer says on one commercial as black and white photos of the premier flash across the screen. "Can Albertans expect progress — don't plan on it," says another.
The ads were paid for by a group called Albertans for Change, a coalition of trade unions led by the building trades and the Alberta Federation of Labour.
The group said it has no connections to any political party.
"We are trying to inform Albertans to make the best choice when they vote," explained Ron Harry, executive director of the Alberta Building Trades Council.
A provincial election is expected to be called at the beginning of February, the first test of Stelmach's mandate since he was chosen to succeed Ralph Klein as Tory leader in 2006.
"I don't respond to that kind of behaviour. I've always been a positive person. I don't get into negativity," Stelmach said Tuesday at the Calgary airport before he left for a trade mission to Washington.
The premier dismissed the attack ads, saying they don't bother him.
"We have plans in place for infrastructure, for health. We're still continuing to lead in the environment across this country," he said.
"The proof [is] in the pudding as to what we've delivered as a government in the past 12 months and what we're going to do over the next few years."
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More Alberta Votes 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.
