After advance polls closed Saturday with record numbers — 696,000 ballots, according to Elections Alberta — the leaders campaigned in the two big cities on Sunday ahead of the provincial election on April 16.
NDP Leader Rachel Notley
NDP Leader Rachel Notley visited Gurdwara for Vaisakhi, a Sikh religious festival, at the Dashmesh Culture Centre in Calgary at 11:45 a.m.
Then, an event was scheduled at the Polish Hall in Edmonton at 4:30 p.m.
Notley responded to UCP Leader Jason Kenney’s promise to “turn off the taps” of gasoline “within an hour” of being sworn in as premier. She said that his pledge will jeopardize getting support for the Trans Mountain pipeline extension.
“He is going to alienate a lot of the people who we have worked very hard to bring on side in places like B.C.,” Notley said. “We know that the majority of British Columbians now support the pipeline and, frankly, the depth and breadth of the opposition to the pipeline, even among those who don’t support it, has been somewhat mitigated. That is why we are able to move forward the way we have been.
“I think what Mr. Kenney is doing is declaring a war in order to further national political objectives but Alberta may well be the casualty in that. I don’t think he’s prepared to stand up for Albertans. He’s just grandstanding.”
United Conservative Party Leader Jason Kenney
After attending a Palm Sunday service at the Catholic Parish of Corpus Christi, Kenney marked Vaisakhi with the Sikh community at the Meadows Community Recreation Centre in Edmonton at 2:30 p.m.
Kenney did not speak to media.
Kenney was scheduled to meet with First Nations leaders in the evening.
Alberta Party Leader Stephen Mandel
Alberta Party Leader Stephen Mandel discussed fraudulent election activities outside the Federal Building in Edmonton at 10 a.m.
He is calling on the RCMP and the Elections Integrity Commissioner to take action to stop fraud in the election.
A party news release detailed how on Saturday evening Ardrossan resident Bob Wispinski received a robocall from a voice that introduced itself as Mandel and called for him to make a strategic vote for the UCP in an attempt to stop the NDP.
The Alberta Party said it was a fraudulent recording, adding that Mandel has never advocated for voting for anyone other than the Alberta Party. It’s unknown how many other people received the call.
“How many other people have been misled? How many votes have we already lost? With the polls opening in less than 48 hours, we call on the RCMP and Elections Integrity Commissioner to take immediate action before any further damage to our campaign is done,” Mandel said in a release.
Later on Sunday, Mandel door-knocked from 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. in Edmonton-McClung.
Alberta Liberal Party Leader David Khan
Alberta Liberal Party Leader David Khan made calls at Liberal headquarters located at 906 Centre Street N. in Calgary at 9 a.m.
Calgary-Mountain View door-knocking was scheduled from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Then, Khan announced AGLC reforms at Revival Brewcade in Calgary at around 2 p.m.
He wants to “modernize” alcohol and cannabis regulations, calling AGLC a “restrictive government monopoly.”
“AGLC’s arbitrary and restrictive regulations treat Albertans like children. We will put an end to that big government interference,” Khan said.
The leader said his party will eliminate restrictions on alcohol sale and consumption, allow liquor at festivals, allow booze in public parks, make it easier to get a liquor licence for special events and reduce restrictions on events where alcohol is served.
“AGLC will no longer be allowed to deny liquor licences if it deems the entertainment bizarre,” he said.
“We will also lift restrictions on breweries to make them more competitive. We will allow them to sell their products directly to restaurants, bars and consumers,” Khan added.
For weed, he said regulations have exacerbated a supply shortage that could cost 1,800 jobs and $13 million this year, so the party plans to allow cannabis retailers to find their own distributors and suppliers.
“We will reform AGLC to create jobs and add a little fun,” Khan said. “We will give Albertans a better lifestyle. They deserve it.”
More door-knocking followed the announcement until 8:30 p.m.