Third-party political advertising goes unfettered in Alberta, but there is little evidence it influences voter behavior, says one political scientist.
A collection of labour groups, calling themselves Albertans for Change, started running ads attacking Tory premier Ed Stelmach several weeks ago.
Albertans for Change took out three commercials criticizing Alberta's premier for not having a plan to manage the province's growth.
With the March 3 election campaign officially underway as of Monday, the groups can continue to buy and run as many ads as they can afford because under Alberta election law there are no limits, said Lisa Young, who teaches political science at the University of Calgary.
But that does not mean the ads will have any influence, she stressed.
Although the ads clearly target Stelmach, they are less clear about what action they want people to take, putting their effectiveness into doubt, she said.
Even so, the lack of rules around third-party advertising does raise some questions, she said.
"If we don't know who is paying for it, then we don't know who is trying to influence the outcome of an election," Young said.
"If the advertiser doesn't decide to be upfront about who is paying for things — what interests are at stake — then I think it's dubious from that point of view."
In this case, the public knows that labour is behind the Stelmach ads, but other third-party advertisers may be more secretive, protected by the lack of rules, she said.
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Riding Profiles
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.
