WATCH ABOVE: What was just a rumour or suspicion is now reality – the NDP controls Alberta politics after winning a stunning majority and knocking the conservatives out of power for the first time in decades. Shallima Maharaj reports.
CALGARY – Before the writ dropped, the PC Party held 70 of the legislature’s 87 seats. The Wildrose and Liberals each held five seats, while four were NDP orange, one was independent and two were vacant.
On Tuesday, voters had their say and according to unofficial results from Elections Alberta, Rachel Notley’s NDP dissolved Alberta’s 44-year-old PC dynasty.
It’s the first time since 1971 Albertans have passed the power to a new party.
In 2012, Albertans elected a massive majority, only made stronger when nine Wildrose MLAs crossed the floor to join the governing Tories.
Cracks started to form in March, when defector and former Wildrose Leader Danielle Smith lost the nomination race for her Highwood riding. The same rang true for former Wildrose MLAs Gary Bikman and Rod Fox. Three other floor crossers, Bruce Rowe, Rob Anderson and Jason Hale chose not to seek nomination.
WATCH ABOVE: Scott Fee takes a look at what the Alberta Legislature looks like now with the Orange Crush.
Read More: Shocking upset in Alberta politics as Carrie Fischer beats Danielle Smith
The NDP is only the fifth political party to govern the province since 1905, but is seeing support from across Alberta.
Leader Rachel Notley easily won her seat in Edmonton-Strathcona.
Watch: Rachel Notley gives victory speech
NDP candidate and former school board chair Sarah Hoffman is taking over for PC minister Heather Klimchuk in Edmonton-Glenora.
In Edmonton-Whitemud New Democrat Bob Turner beat out former Tory Health Minister Stephen Mandel.
The NDP was expected to gain ground in the Capital Region, but history was made in southern Alberta when both the Lethbridge-East and Lethbridge-West ridings went to NDP candidates.
Alberta Party Leader Greg Clark also took a seat in the legislature, beating out Tory Education Minister Gordon Dirks in Calgary-Elbow.
Jim Prentice retained his seat in Calgary-Foothills, but resigned as PC leader.
Watch: Jim Prentice announces his resignation as PC leader and MLA
Wildrose Leader Brian Jean won his first seat in Alberta provincial politics, beating out PC candidate and Advanced Education Minister Don Scott in the riding of Fort McMurray-Conklin.
Watch: Brian Jean gives victory speech as official opposition
The Wildrose increased its presence in the legislature, becoming the Official Opposition.
There was a four-seat loss for the Alberta Liberals, as leader David Swann was the only candidate to secure a spot.
WATCH: Alberta Liberal Leader David Swann Speech
There is one consistency in this unprecedented election though, and that’s a majority government. Albertans have never elected a minority and 2015 was no different.
Comments