The leaders of Alberta's three main political parties descended on Calgary on Saturday for one final campaign push, demonstrating how the city that was once an unassailable Tory fortress could be up for grabs in Monday's provincial election.
Conservative Leader Ed Stelmach planned 11 public appearances in the city on Saturday, mainly at local campaign headquarters where he urged the need for the city to be well represented in the next government.
"We definitely want to secure the Conservative heartland of Alberta, which is the city of Calgary," Stelmach said at the first of his 11 whistle stops. "It's crucial that we have Calgary represented in greater numbers around our caucus and cabinet table."
Conservatives seeking to extend dynasty
Stelmach's confidence that he will lead the Alberta Tories to their 11th straight majority government on Monday is supported by polls and pundits alike.
But the margin of victory is unclear and clouded by a large number of undecided voters who — especially in the cities — are increasingly grumpy over the negative aspects of the ongoing energy boom.
Stelmach said he has worked hard in the 15 months since replacing Ralph Klein as premier to help mollify many of Calgary's biggest issues by pumping money into roads, schools and hospitals as its population continues to swell.
The premier didn't help his negative image as a northern farmer who doesn't pay enough attention to Alberta's largest cities when he stacked his first cabinet with rural MLAs.
In the last election, the Opposition Liberals were able to secure a three-seat toehold in Calgary and added a fourth last summer by winning a surprise byelection victory in Calgary Elbow — Klein's old seat.
Liberals eyeing improvement on 23 seats
The Liberals are hoping to significantly increase their take of Calgary's 23 seats this time around, and showed up in significant, red-flag waving numbers Saturday for a raucous rally around leader Kevin Taft.
'Alberta needs a new government in the worst way … Calgary feels like a Liberal town.'—Liberal Leader Kevin Taft
Taft said that despite numerous polls to the contrary, he believed momentum was with the Liberals in the campaign's final days.
"It's going to be exciting on Monday and I think we're going to break through. Alberta needs a new government in the worst way," he said. "Calgary feels like a Liberal town."
Taft also attempted to staunch any Liberal support bleeding off to the rival New Democrats or Green party by painting his party as the only one with a real shot at ending the Conservatives' 37-year reign.
"The overwhelming feel is that people in Alberta want a change of government. People can vote for the Liberals and get a change, or they can vote for the New Democrats, or the Greens or someone else and make a point."
The NDP touts itself as representing ordinary families
New Democrat Leader Brian Mason, also in Calgary on Saturday to rally his troops, said strategic voting was unnecessary given the strong likelihood of another Tory majority.
"That means it's more important than ever to have a good, solid group of NDP MLAs in the legislature that will take on the Conservatives," he said.
"It's obvious to us at this point, the Liberals are not going to win the election. The question is, who is most effective at standing up to the Conservatives on behalf of ordinary families?"
The Tories also face the prospect of vote-splitting with the new right-wing Wildrose Alliance party fielding candidates in all but one Calgary riding as well as most rural regions across the province.
And the Alberta Greens believe they have an outside chance of making a historic breakthrough in a few rural ridings.
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Alberta Votes 2008 »
- 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.
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.
