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Albertans re-elect historic 11th straight Tory government
Progressive Conservatives gain 12 more seats, increase popular support
Last Updated: Monday, March 3, 2008 | 10:57 PM MT
CBC News
Despite an apparent appetite for change, voters in Alberta stuck with the tried-and-true, giving the Progressive Conservative party an unprecedented 11th consecutive majority government.
The Tories, who started their political dynasty in 1971, were leading or elected in 71 of 83 ridings in Monday night's provincial election and increased their share of the popular vote by about six per cent from the last election in 2004.
About half an hour after the polls closed, Conservative Leader Ed Stelmach gave an acceptance speech to supporters in Calgary.
"In this election, Albertans had a real choice and it was Progressive Conservative," he said to the cheering crowd. "We have shown we're not afraid to tackle tough issues. We're not afraid to lead.
"As Progressive Conservatives, we can be very proud of our accomplishments, proud of our record and in this election, we've shown we have new ideas, new energy, new leadership for a new century."
Political analyst Bruce Cameron said Stelmach's victory was "spectacular," highlighting that the rookie leader is on his way to more seats than former premiers Don Getty or Ralph Klein garnered, and at a level not seen since the days of Peter Lougheed.
Driven by the booming oilsands, the province is grappling with major growth pressures, including a lack of affordable housing and aging infrastructure, as well as balancing environmental concerns with the massive oilsands developments.
The results Monday night signal that voters are willing to let the Tories continue to manage the province's prosperity, and to give leader Ed Stelmach the chance to prove he can bring change to Alberta, despite the fact that his party has governed the province for almost four decades.
Stelmach took over from brash former premier Ralph Klein in December 2006 and has tried to distinguish himself as a measured politician who can engineer a plan for the province's future.
"Whether they just trust Ed, or they see Ed as an honest, trustworthy man, or that Ed is in charge, this is a huge victory for him and to be able to hold Calgary and to wipe out the Liberals in Edmonton, he's really put his stamp on the province," said political scientist Duane Bratt.
"This is a monumental victory for Ed Stelmach."
Support for Alberta Liberals collapses
The extent of the Conservative victory stunned the Alberta Liberals, led by Kevin Taft, who are on the way to losing more than half of their 16 legislative seats, led by a collapse in their traditional base of support in Edmonton.
The NDP also suffered a blow Monday night, losing two of their four seats, including one in Edmonton held by former leader Ray Martin.
The Alberta Greens increased their popular vote by two per cent over their 2004 election results, but failed again to elect their first-ever MLA in the province, as well as in Canada.
The Wildrose Alliance will not be represented in the legislature as leader Paul Hinman lost a tight race to retain the party's single seat in southern Alberta.
Various polls showed anywhere from 20 to 45 per cent of voters were undecided during a campaign that saw few sparks.
Turnout in Alberta elections has fallen steadily from 60.2 per cent of eligible voters in 1993 to 44.7 per cent in the 2004 campaign that former premier Ralph Klein called "boring."
"Based on these results, it would be hard to imagine a lot of people staying home," Bratt said Monday night.
When the election was called, the Progressive Conservatives had 60 seats in the legislature, the Liberals 16, the NDP four and the Wildrose Alliance one, with one Independent and one vacant seat.
Progressive Conservatives gain 12 more seats, increase popular support
Last Updated: Monday, March 3, 2008 | 10:57 PM MT
CBC News
Despite an apparent appetite for change, voters in Alberta stuck with the tried-and-true, giving the Progressive Conservative party an unprecedented 11th consecutive majority government.
The Tories, who started their political dynasty in 1971, were leading or elected in 71 of 83 ridings in Monday night's provincial election and increased their share of the popular vote by about six per cent from the last election in 2004.
About half an hour after the polls closed, Conservative Leader Ed Stelmach gave an acceptance speech to supporters in Calgary.
"In this election, Albertans had a real choice and it was Progressive Conservative," he said to the cheering crowd. "We have shown we're not afraid to tackle tough issues. We're not afraid to lead.
"As Progressive Conservatives, we can be very proud of our accomplishments, proud of our record and in this election, we've shown we have new ideas, new energy, new leadership for a new century."
Political analyst Bruce Cameron said Stelmach's victory was "spectacular," highlighting that the rookie leader is on his way to more seats than former premiers Don Getty or Ralph Klein garnered, and at a level not seen since the days of Peter Lougheed.
Driven by the booming oilsands, the province is grappling with major growth pressures, including a lack of affordable housing and aging infrastructure, as well as balancing environmental concerns with the massive oilsands developments.
The results Monday night signal that voters are willing to let the Tories continue to manage the province's prosperity, and to give leader Ed Stelmach the chance to prove he can bring change to Alberta, despite the fact that his party has governed the province for almost four decades.
Stelmach took over from brash former premier Ralph Klein in December 2006 and has tried to distinguish himself as a measured politician who can engineer a plan for the province's future.
"Whether they just trust Ed, or they see Ed as an honest, trustworthy man, or that Ed is in charge, this is a huge victory for him and to be able to hold Calgary and to wipe out the Liberals in Edmonton, he's really put his stamp on the province," said political scientist Duane Bratt.
"This is a monumental victory for Ed Stelmach."
Support for Alberta Liberals collapses
The extent of the Conservative victory stunned the Alberta Liberals, led by Kevin Taft, who are on the way to losing more than half of their 16 legislative seats, led by a collapse in their traditional base of support in Edmonton.
The NDP also suffered a blow Monday night, losing two of their four seats, including one in Edmonton held by former leader Ray Martin.
The Alberta Greens increased their popular vote by two per cent over their 2004 election results, but failed again to elect their first-ever MLA in the province, as well as in Canada.
The Wildrose Alliance will not be represented in the legislature as leader Paul Hinman lost a tight race to retain the party's single seat in southern Alberta.
Various polls showed anywhere from 20 to 45 per cent of voters were undecided during a campaign that saw few sparks.
Turnout in Alberta elections has fallen steadily from 60.2 per cent of eligible voters in 1993 to 44.7 per cent in the 2004 campaign that former premier Ralph Klein called "boring."
"Based on these results, it would be hard to imagine a lot of people staying home," Bratt said Monday night.
When the election was called, the Progressive Conservatives had 60 seats in the legislature, the Liberals 16, the NDP four and the Wildrose Alliance one, with one Independent and one vacant seat.
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