WATCH: After 44 years of Progressive Conservative rule the NDP has won a majority government in Alberta. Jeremy Hunka reports on Tuesday’s outcome and what this seismic shift in Alberta politics could mean for B.C.
The NDP has won its first majority government in Alberta by toppling the Progressive Conservative colossus that has dominated the province for decades and driving leader Jim Prentice from public life.
“Friends, I believe that change has finally come to Alberta,” the NDP’s Rachel Notley told cheering supporters who chanted “Rachel! Rachel! Rachel!”
“New people, new ideas and a fresh start for our great province.”
B.C.Premier Christy Clark congratulated Notley and her team on the victory.
“I would like to thank Jim Prentice for his dedicated service to Alberta and to Canada, and wish him and his family the very best,” said Clark in a statement. “Canada needs a strong Alberta. I look forward to working productively with Ms. Notley and her new government for a prosperous West and a stronger Canada.”
FULL ALBERTA ELECTION COVERAGE
The impact of Notley’s Orange Crush may be felt in B.C., particularly when it comes to pipelines.
Though Notley has said she may support a Kinder Morgan expansion through Burnaby, she’s made it clear the Northern Gateway pipeline to Kitimat is off the table.
“It does mean in some sense that the government of B.C. is relieved from the potential political burden of blocking something that the National Energy Board has approved,” said Richard Johnston of UBC’s Dept. of Political Science. “If Rachel Notley isn’t going to push it, then that’s a political hot potato that’s at least off the agenda for B.C.”
- Joffre Lakes to close for 3 periods this year under agreement with First Nations
- ‘Why aren’t we doing more?’ White Rock on edge with killer on the loose
- B.C. carjacking victim says she doesn’t trust the ‘catch-and-release’ system
- Inquest into fatal Surrey hostage-taking recommends cameras for ERT teams
The NDP’s win in Alberta may also impact this fall’s federal election.
National party leader Thomas Mulcair tweeted he was inspired by the hopeful, optimistic campaign Notley ran.
Johnston says provincial results have leaked into federal politics before so he wouldn’t be surprised if the NDP’s win in Alberta could help boost the party’s image nationwide, but adds that it is too soon to tell.
No doubt, NDP supporters think that if they can win a majority government in Alberta, anything is possible.
-with files from Jeremy Hunka, Erika Tucker and Canadian Press
Comments