If Alberta’s electorate is homogeneous from an outside point of view, there is nevertheless a large proportion of progressive voters in the big cities, recalls Frederic Boilly, professor of political science at the University of Alberta’s St. Jean campus.
urban population [sont] Often akin to public service. This is where you find the great universities. Creates a different social composition from those in rural areas
, Confirms.
And it is precisely these voters that the liberals want to persuade. Randy Poissonault was elected in 2015 and defeated in 2019 by the Conservatives, and he knows where to go to reclaim Edmonton’s center.
If we look at the county founding, it’s 60% progressive, so my job is to find and unite all progressives.
, he argues in an interview at his campaign office.
Liberal candidate Randy Poissonault is campaigning to regain the Edmonton Center seat, which he held from 2015 to 2019.
Photo: Radio Canada / Mathieu Gouer
The regional political context can also help it regain its seat. This is because Jason Kenney’s Conservative government is breaking records in unpopularity for its critical management of the pandemic.
Albertans’ resentment appears to pounce on federal conservatives and create a breach for other parties.
Jason Kenney could potentially be a target for Justin Trudeau, who will say: Look at this disastrous handling of the pandemic, that’s what you don’t want to see on the Federalist stage with a Conservative party like Erin O’Toole.
Randy Poissonault has been going door-to-door for weeks in downtown Edmonton. He says he hears about the Alberta premier constantly from voters.
We are coming out of the epidemic, we want to have governments that have leadership and that is what we are missing now [en Alberta]. That’s why I feel so supported at the gates
Liberal candidate says.
The National Party wants to muddy the water
Liberals aren’t the only ones who want to fill in votes among progressives and dissatisfied with Kenny’s government. The New Democratic Party also wants to channel this resentment and broaden its support.
The only Alberta MP elected under the NDP banner in 2019 in the very urban Edmonton-Strathcona tour, Heather McPherson also notes that Conservative support has collapsed in the major centres, even though Erin O’Toole’s party is leading county-wide voting intentions.
Jason Kenney does not help the Conservative Party, we see his support at the lowest levels in the opinion polls. […] I hear over and over again how people are disappointed by the actions of the Kenyan government, such as the lifting of restrictions on COVID, and the attacks on the health care system.
, argued in an interview.
Heather McPherson, the only NDP MP elected in Alberta in 2019, thinks the NDP can make gains in the province.
Photo: Radio Canada
On the county stage, the NPD Led by Rachel Notley, he dominates the Edmonton area. Heather McPherson believes that the factor that plays in favor of the Federal Cousins.
I think that translates into support for the Federal National Party, because the two provincial and federal national parties have a lot in common.
In 2019, the Conservative Party won 33 of Alberta’s 34 seats. If their support remains just as strong in rural areas, it may be difficult to repeat this sweep on September 20.
Our requests for interviews with Tory candidates were denied.