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Looming election

A new year brings a major test for Premier Rachel Notley and United Conservative Party Leader Jason Kenney. The pair will face off in a highly anticipated provincial vote that must be called between March 1 and May 31 under the Elections Act.

A new year brings a major test for Premier Rachel Notley and United Conservative Party Leader Jason Kenney.

The pair will face off in a highly anticipated provincial vote that must be called between March 1 and May 31 under the Elections Act.

The 2019 election will finally answer the nagging question: Will Albertans give another chance to a premier whose plan for the province is failing or will they throw their support behind a party that has yet to prove itself?

A few months ago, the NDP might have had a chance. It was only last May when the federal government announced it was buying the Trans Mountain pipeline. Notley stood before the cameras proclaiming victory. “The deal announced today puts people to work building this pipeline right away,” Notley crowed. It’s been all downhill since.

Notley and the NDP have been in the hot seat as the province reels from the economic crisis brought on by slumping oil prices and the Trans Mountain pipeline debacle that has crushed Albertans’ hopes of a pipeline ever getting built.

In an effort to address problems in the oil and gas sector and bolster oil prices, the premier last month ordered an 8.7-per-cent curtailment in production that took effect Jan. 1 – a bold move for Notley, who is trying to avoid becoming a one-term premier. She has also pulled out of the federal climate tax plan until Ottawa “gets its act together” on the Trans Mountain expansion project.

But those recent actions aren’t the only ones voters will be recalling as they get ready to pass judgment on Alberta’s first NDP government.

Following Notley’s historic majority victory in October 2015, the party’s popularity has taken a nosedive over the past three and a half years. Severe economic stress in Alberta’s energy industry has resulted in economic hardship for thousands of Albertans who see the NDP’s carbon tax and overall management of our economy as doing more harm than good. No government can expect voter support when people are fearful for their jobs.

Kenney, on the other hand, isn’t thirsting for the spotlight – yet. Why would he? Albertans’ growing frustration with Ottawa and Notley are the main attraction, and Kenney is all too happy to let the seeping anger deepen.

It’s the perfect political storm for Kenney. An inept prime minister who seems more concerned about the colour of his socks than getting a pipeline built and a Quebec premier whose hypocritical tone has fuelled talks of western separation are perfectly complemented by massive pro-pipeline rallies around the province and an Alberta premier who can only stand by and watch. It’s no wonder Kenney doesn’t want to draw any attention.

It’s chiefly for these reasons the UCP enjoys a wide margin over the NDP in public opinion polls. Kenney is a master politician and a proven political strategist. He’ll grab the spotlight when the timing suits him. Albertans hope he has something meaningful to say.

Editorials are the consensus view of the St. Albert Gazette's editorial board.

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