Following several weeks of intense (albeit technically informal) campaigning, Alberta's 2023 provincial election has finally begun, with voters going to the polls on May 29.The campaign and its outcome will be closely followed by all Canadians.The province's economy is the third largest in Canada, and its population is quickly increasing. It is the destination for a growing number of people fleeing pricey cities elsewhere. Its energy sector makes a significant contribution to the national economy and federal finances. It is also the regional headquarters of Canada's federal Conservative Party, so what happens here may have an impact on the party's prospects elsewhere.The vote may also have ramifications for national unity. This campaign might decide whether to establish a distinct Alberta Pension Plan, which would most certainly result in higher CPP contribution rates for workers outside of Alberta. And, regardless of whether party wins, the federal government is picking disputes that the next provincial government must strongly respond to.What makes Alberta's 2023 election so intriguing is how much could depend on so few.Of the approximately two million votes that may be cast, the winner could be decided by a small handful—possibly a few hundred—in only a few key ridings.It's going to be tight. Very tight.The newest projection
To comprehend the election dynamics that will unfold
in the province over the next month, you must first recognize that Alberta is separated into three regions: Edmonton, Calgary, and the remainder. Typically, forming a government requires winning two of these three major regions.Currently, the NDP controls Edmonton, while the UCP controls rural areas.However, the regions are not all the same size. And, by controlling rural areas, the UCP has a distinct seat edge heading into this campaign.Don't simply take my word for it. P.J. Fournier of 338Canada.com is a good source for election analysis. This estimate is continuously updated with the most recent polling data and predicts a UCP victory is more likely than not. As of last week, the model predicted that the UCP will win 49 of the 87 available seats, compared to the NDP's 38.While this appears to be a comfortable position, the margin of victory is small, and many seats might easily shift the other way.It's all about Calgary!According to this 338Canada forecast, there are approximately 27 relatively secure NDP seats—with a projected margin of victory of at least ten points—versus 40 for the UCP.It all comes down to the remaining 20 seats, 15 of which have estimated party margins of little more than three points. Almost majority of them are located in the northern portion of Calgary.
In summary, the Alberta election is all about Calgary
It's no surprise that the province has committed hundreds of millions of dollars to building a new arena for the Calgary Flames. The premier made an unequivocal pledge to a UCP victory. It is also a more business-oriented electorate than other regions, with more company headquarters than any city other than Toronto, therefore tax policy and government finances may play a significant role. Both parties, for example, have pledged not to raise taxes, and the UCP has gone a step further: they will require a referendum to adjust future income tax rates, similar to what is now in place for sales taxes.With the race so tight, practically every topic that arises—and every vote in critical battleground ridings—could determine the winner.Alberta's Election PyramidTo properly understand how tight things are, imagine each riding as one layer of a pyramid that each party stacks to get the necessary 44-seat majority.1Start with the most likely wins and work your way up to the most difficult decisions. This demonstrates that nearly all of the seats that propelled the UCP to victory have razor-thin margins that a few voters may swing. The same goes for the New Democratic Party.Small movements in the vote share can result in big seat swings. A consistent two-point swing towards the UCP, for example, could result in 54 seats for the UCP vs 32 for the NDP. That is a comfortable majority.
In contrast, the same two-point swing
in support of the NDP may result in 44 seats for them versus 43 for the UCP. Such a result would be wild. After all, the Speaker typically comes from the governing party, so 44/43 would effectively knot the parties in the house, bringing any real action to a standstill.Of course, all of these estimates are based on polling data and an election outcome model. Undoubtedly, the advertising will have an impact. Potentially a lot. Just a few votes can make a big difference. As shown in the graph, the half-dozen seats that propelled the UCP to victory might be reversed if fewer than a few hundred people in each riding change their minds.It is possible that less than 0.05 percent of voters will decide which party becomes the government.Whatever the outcome, Alberta's provincial election is a fascinating and vital campaign for all Canadians to follow.
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