New leaders and a possible election could see major change in the province

Alberta may historically be painted blue, but it is this year that Albertans can have a say in the future political landscape of this province.

Of course Albertans, like most Canadians, are probably getting a little tired of election talk, but the reality is that this September, Ed Stelmach will step down as premier.

And, while whoever is voted leader of the PC Party will step into Stelmach’s shoes for a while, it is widely rumoured that there will be a spring 2012 election.

If opinion polls are an actual indication of what Albertans are feeling, then a change from years of Conservative stronghold in the province may be just what the doctor ordered. If not, change could still be in the air. The Conservatives will elect a new leader in September, and if Alison Reford were elected she would be the first female premier. Doug Griffiths would be one of the youngest at 38, and Gary Mar would be the first of Asian descent. Hintonites and other interested PC Party members in the area got their chance to see these candidates for themselves, when the party hosted a leadership forum in Hinton – one of only six forums to be held across the province.

Consider too, that for those looking to break the blue mould, local area candidate Glenn Taylor, mayor of Hinton, is one of four candidates running for leadership of the Alberta Party. The Alberta Party is hoping to raise their profile and garner support with their mandate of engaging Albertans to collaborate with them in solving the problems the province faces. And despite their sagging popularity in the province – and the country – don’t count out the Liberals (the official opposition party) who are dangerously low in opinion polls, but are still looking for new leadership in the province and promising to rebuilt their tattered image. 

Then there are the Alberta NDP party and the Wildrose Alliance. Not to say that they have a chance of dethroning the tories – does anyone really in this province? – but they are different if voters are looking for drastic change.

With all of this party leadership change and a looming 2012 election, it is easy to let your eyes glaze over and think about it tomorrow (in the words of Scarlett O’Hara), but with the big changes in the federal election, Albertans could have their chance this year to create another drastic change in the province’s political representation. Providing they actually want one. If the federal election results are any indication of what would happen should an election take place in the spring of 2012, then the only thing that matters to most Albertans will be the outcome of the PC Party leadership race.

But change for Alberta could still be in the air.

Will you be a part of that change?