For Day 3 of the Alberta election campaign, leaders mainly focused their efforts in southern Alberta, which included speeches and rallies in Calgary.
Alberta NDP leader Rachel Notley
Alberta’s NDP leader was in Lethbridge, where she announced a plan to add more long-term beds for seniors if her government is re-elected.
Rachel Notley made the announcement at a seniors centre in Lethbridge.
She said 2,000 new spots are in addition to 2,000 she promised – and delivered – in the 2015 election.
READ MORE: How, when, where to vote
Watch below: NDP Leader Rachel Notley spoke on Thursday about what her party plans to do for aging Albertans if re-elected. Tom Vernon reports.
Notley said the $170-million investment ensures the new beds are added over the next five years and the existing ones are kept.
The leader said in addition to benefiting seniors and their families, the announcement means jobs for health care professionals.
She accused her chief rival, United Conservative Leader Jason Kenney, of wanting an American-style health-care system that costs people more.
UCP leader Jason Kenney
The leader of Alberta’s United Conservatives is promising a referendum on equalization if there’s no major progress on market-opening pipelines.
Jason Kenney says if he becomes premier the matter would be put to voters on Oct. 18, 2021 – the same date as the next municipal elections in Alberta.
The federal equalization program is meant to even out fiscal disparities between so called “have” and “have-not” provinces.
Despite its economic doldrums, Alberta remains a “have” province.
Kenney says Albertans can no longer tolerate other governments benefiting from Alberta resources while doing everything they can to block development.
He is also vowing to take Ottawa to court if a contentious federal bill on resource project reviews becomes law and to block energy shipments to any province that block pipelines.
WATCH: Highlights from Jason Kenney’s ‘stand up for Albertans’ announcement in Calgary.
Alberta Party leader Stephen Mandel
Alberta Party Leader Stephen Mandel said if he were elected premier in the April 16 provincial election he would double the number of educational assistants in schools.
Mandel said a $230-million boost in funding would allow for the extra support in kindergarten to Grade 12 classrooms.
He said teachers need help as classes become increasingly diverse with children from different cultures, backgrounds and circumstances.
The Alberta Party would also create an agency to test students with possible learning challenges so they could get help as soon as possible.
Mandel made the announcement at Al Mustafa Academy in south Edmonton before heading to a rally in Calgary.
Alberta Liberal leader David Khan
Alberta Liberal Leader David Khan said he would improve child welfare, education and justice for Indigenous people if his party were to win the April 16 election.
Khan said a Liberal government would create regional Indigenous child protection offices, run by Indigenous groups, to help keep children in their home communities.
He said there would be Indigenous-led revisions to the school curriculum and the creation of Indigenous language immersion programs.
READ MORE: Alberta election promise tracker — Where do the parties stand on the major issues?
The party would also require provincial courts to use Indigenous-based sentencing principles and amend legislation making juries more representative.
Khan also said he would work to get six new seats in the legislature specifically for elected Indigenous members.
Khan, a lawyer specializing in Indigenous rights and land-claims litigation, won the party’s leadership in 2017.
“Alberta Liberals believe there must be reconciliation with Indigenous peoples in government and society,” Khan said in a release Thursday.
“Indigenous Albertans face systemic racism and the consequences of Canada’s violent colonial past. Our plan will help addresses these issues.”
READ MORE: How Global News is covering Alberta election 2019
Watch below: The Freedom Conservative Party launched its 2019 election campaign in Calgary on Thursday.
Corus Radio Decision Alberta coverage