The Weekly Roundup - May 23, 2023
We hope you enjoyed your long weekend, and are set for the final week of the provincial election in Alberta.
The debate on Thursday evening saw UCP Leader Danielle Smith and NDP Leader Rachel Notley face off in a two-person debate that is unlikely to have moved the needle before voters head to the polls. It’s no surprise that both parties have framed their debate performance as a victory, as both Smith and Notley are skilled orators in a debate format.
The House of Commons is not sitting this week, with MPs back in their ridings until Monday, May 29. At that point, it’ll be the final push of a four week sitting stretch before parliamentarians are back to the BBQ circuit close to home for the summer.
Below, you’ll find the top federal and provincial stories of the week.
New West in the Media
Want to hear more about what New West’s team has been sharing in the media about the provincial election? Use the links below to listen, watch or read:
Michael Solberg on CBC's The Current with former Calgary mayor Naheed Nenshi & former city councillor Jeromy Farkas.
Christine Myatt on City News discussing a new Angus Reid survey that shows the Alberta election could hinge on Calgary and young voters.
Michael Solberg in the Globe and Mail in a feature leading into Thursday’s debate.
Monte Solberg on QR Calgary with a debate preview.
If that’s not enough New West in the news for you, you can join Alberta at Noon with panelist Monte Solbrg at a special evening election forum in Calgary this Wednesday, or listen to the panel over the noon hour on CBC Radio Thursday.
Top Federal Stories of the Week
Around noon eastern today, special rapporteur David Johnston will release his decision as to whether the Liberal government should call for a public inquiry regarding foreign interference. All opposition parties are united in calling for a public inquiry.
As was mentioned last week, there is a standoff with automaker Stellantis regarding building a battery plant in Windsor, with both the provincial and federal governments working to get the deal back on track, and other parts of the country wondering where their investment windfall from the federal government is as billions are poured into Ontario’s auto sector.
The G7 Summit wrapped in Japan on Sunday, where the ongoing war in Ukraine was top of mind with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy in attendance and holding a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Canada will next host the G7 in 2025.
Top Alberta Stories of the Week
Can both parties get through the week without any major blunders? At this point in the campaign, any additional opposition research unearthing any old (or for that matter new) social media posts or inflammatory interviews could be damaging to either the UCP or NDP’s central campaign. Both campaigns, having released fully costed election platforms, will now be looking to have a positive week full of good news announcements that frame the ballot box question as they see fit.
Get out the vote (GOTV) in full swing - watch where the leader’s are as they try to shore up their votes in the final week of the election. At this point in the campaign, candidates are wearing down the soles of their runners and the patience of their partners while they pull 14 hour days, and campaign managers are wondering why they signed up for the role while they finish their fourth double double of the day and push their GOTV efforts. With advance polls open throughout the week, ID’ed supporters will be pushed to vote early.
Expect more polls to come out this week, including a publicly released Janet Brown poll that will paint a picture of where voters are at post debate. While, once again, the only poll that matters in the results on May 29, either party pulling away with less than a week to go in the campaign could help to set a narrative for undecided voters heading to the ballot box.
Upcoming Events Calendar
May 23-May 27, 2023: Advance voting takes place with at least one location open in each electoral division
May 29, 2023: The next Alberta Provincial General Election will be held
June 19, 2023: Byelections will be held in four federal ridings (all seats are considered to be safe for their respective incumbent party)