Provincial Politics

2006 Alberta Progressive Conservative Leadership Race

Denise Brennan — Wed, 01 Nov 2006 00:00:00 -0700

On December 2, 2006, Alberta Progressive Conservative Party members selected Ed Stelmach as their new party leader and as the new Premier of Alberta. Stelmach replaced the retiring Ralph Klein, who held those roles for 13 years. Premier Stelmach won the leadership after two rounds of voting, defeating frontrunners Jim Dinning and Ted Morton. This article provides an overview of the leadership selection process, events, and results.

Events Leading up to the PC Party Leadership Contest

Background events leading to the leadership race

The Progressive Conservative Leadership Selection Process

How Does the Alberta PC Party Choose Its Leader?

Quick Guide to Voting for the Leader of the PC Party

How to guide for voting in the Progressive Conservatives leadership election

Candidates Running For the Leadership of the Progressive Conservatives

Background on the candidates and their policy platforms

Alberta Progressive Conservative Leadership Campaign News

A survey of current news, polls and issues surrounding the campaign

Results of the Alberta Progressive Conservative Leadership Contest

Highlights and winners of the votes

Source & Links for Further Information

List of Internet links for further information on the Progressive Conservative Leadership Race

Events Leading to the PC Party Leadership Election

Background events prefacing the leadership race

On November 25, 2006 and December 2, 2006, the Progressive Conservative Association of Alberta (PCAA) held an election to choose a new party leader. The leadership contest arose due to the resignation of Party Leader (and Premier) Ralph Klein on September 20, 2006. Klein remained in office until the party chose a new leader. Ed Stelmach became Alberta’s 13th Premier.

March 2006 leadership vote

On March 14, 2006, Ralph Klein, who had been Premier of Alberta for 13 years, announced his intention to resign on October 31, 2007. Klein indicated he would remain Premier until a new leader was selected in a 2008 leadership contest. Some PC Party members regarded a two-year delay in replacing Klein as party leader unfavourably. In addition, Klein’s announcement that cabinet ministers who wished to run for the leadership would have to give up their cabinet posts by June 1, 2006 was not well received. Lyle Oberg, then Minister of Infrastructure and Transportation, was angered by this request. He also expressed concern about the toll a prolonged leadership race could have on the PC government’s ability to deal with billions in energy revenues that were in the provincial treasury. Oberg voiced his concerns over the leadership process and told his constituents in Brooks, Alberta that he would urge delegates at the March 31, 2006 leadership review not to support Klein. On March 23, 2006, Oberg’s comments resulted in a demotion from cabinet (with the possibility of returning after a six-month hiatus) and his indefinite suspension from the PC caucus. He later apologized for his remarks, saying they were made in the heat of the moment.

PC Mandatory Leadership Review

On March 31, 2006, a mandatory party leadership review was held. Party delegates voted on the question of whether Klein should continue as party leader. Prior to the leadership review, Klein had stated he would resign as leader in short order if he did not receive a “substantial majority” on this vote. When the vote was held and the results were tallied, Klein received 55.4 percent well below his personal threshold of a “substantial majority” of support. A few days later, Klein announced he would write a letter to party officials in September asking them to commence plans for finding the party’s next leader. He stated that a new leader would likely be chosen in October or November of 2006, and that he would leave office shortly thereafter. On September 20, 2006, Klein officially announced his resignation, triggering the race for the next leader of the PC party, and by extension, the race for the Premier of Alberta.

Implications for the Alberta Cabinet

Following Klein’s original announcement that he intended to leave office, he requested that all cabinet members interested in running for the leadership resign and move to the back bench by June 1, 2006. Although the request was not unprecedented, it was controversial considering the Premier’s lengthy departure timeline. Klein subsequently explained that his request to have cabinet ministers resign was intended to create a level playing field for all candidates. He also sought to limit the ability of any members of his cabinet team, who were also leadership candidates, to make decisions or statements that could affect the government in the interim.

The Progressive Conservative Leadership Selection Process

How Does the Alberta PC Party Choose Its Leader?

The Voting Format

The format for the 2006 leadership selection was identical to the leadership selection held in 1992. Each party member had one vote; the top three leadership candidates from the first round advanced to the second round of voting. To win, a candidate needed to receive 50 percent (plus one vote) of total party member votes on the first ballot, cast on November, 25, 2006. If no clear winner was determined (with no candidate receiving 50 percent plus one), candidates were ranked in a preferential ballot on December 2, 2006. All voters ranked the three candidates in order of preference; the candidate who earned 50 percent plus one of the No. 1 rankings won. If there was still no clear winner after this second round, the candidate with the fewest votes dropped off the ballot and his/her votes were transferred, in order of the previously stated preferences, to the remaining two candidates. A winner would then be declared.

Voter Eligibility

Any Canadian citizen and Alberta resident over age 16 can vote, as long as s/he is a member of the Progressive Conservative Party. Each voter cast a paper ballot in his/her riding; the Party operated one polling station in each urban riding in the province, and enough in rural ridings to ensure access for all party members. Memberships were available to non-members for five dollars until the final balloting in the selection process (including at polling stations on both days and in between polling days).

Candidate Eligibility

To be declared a candidate in the PC leadership race, prospective leadership contenders had to complete and return nomination papers to the Party’s offices by October 16, 2006. Candidates were also required to deliver a $15,000 non-refundable deposit, as well as a petition with 500 names of supporting party members.

Leadership Race Timeline

March 14, 2006: Premier Ralph Klein announced his intention to tender his resignation on October 31, 2007, but remain in office until early 2008.
March 15: Klein ordered cabinet members who intended to run in the leadership election to resign from cabinet by June 1, 2006.
March 31: Members of the Alberta Progressive Conservative Party voted in a secret ballot on Klein’s leadership. Klein suggested he would resign immediately if he did not receive a “substantial majority” in the leadership review. The Premier received 55.4 percent of the vote. He requested time to decide whether to submit his resignation.
April 4: Klein announced he would write a letter to party officials requesting that they commence a leadership election. He stated his expectation that a new leader will be chosen by October or November 2006, and that he would leave office in December.
August 17: Klein confirmed his plan to tender his resignation as Party Leader on (or around) September 14, and resign as the MLA for Calgary-Elbow upon leaving office as Premier.
September 20: Klein announced his resignation as party leader. The Progressive Conservative leadership race officially began.
October 16: Leadership candidate nominations closed at 5PM MST.
November 25: First ballot in the leadership selection process occurred. Polls opened between 9AM and 7PM MST.
December 2, 2006: The second ballot of the leadership election took place. Polls opened from 9AM to 7PM MST.

Quick Guide to Voting for the Leader of the PC Party

How to guide for voting in the Progressive Conservatives leadership election

Polling Stations

Each urban riding had one polling station and there were enough polling stations in rural ridings to ensure convenient access. Polling stations were open from 9AM to 7PM MST on Saturday, November 25, 2006, and again on Saturday, December 2, 2006. At the polling station, voters were asked to present a party membership card and two pieces of identification, including one with a photo, to verify residency within the constituency. The following is a list of eligible identification (including but not limited to):

Driver's licence
Canadian passport
Citizenship card
Social Insurance card
Student ID
Utility bill
Property tax bill
Automobile insurance card.

Voters may be asked to provide proof of age and evidence of citizenship.

Advance Polls

Advance polls were held prior to each voting day. An eligible voter unable to vote on Polling Day, or who for religious reasons wished not to vote on a Saturday, cast a ballot at an Advance Poll. Advance Polls were held on Monday, November 20, 2006 from 5PM to 9PM MST, and on Wednesday, November 29, 2006 from 5PM to 9PM MST.

Candidates Running for Leadership of the Progressive Conservatives

Background on the candidates and their policy platforms

Declared Candidates

Candidates wishing to run in the PC leadership race had to submit nomination papers to the Progressive Conservative Party offices by October 16, 2006. There were eight candidates officially declared. Each candidate's biographical information is provided along with brief policy platform overviews for each candidate concerning the following ‘hot topics’: energy and resources, the environment, and health care.

Jim Dinning

Jim Dinning is the former Treasurer of Alberta. Born in Edmonton in 1952, he attended Queen’s University, graduating with a Bachelor of Commerce in 1974 and a Masters in Public Administration in 1977. Upon graduation, Dinning worked as an assistant in the Cabinet Office in Edmonton and then served as Cabinet committee secretary. From 1979 to 1982 he served as executive assistant to Provincial Treasurer Lou Hyndman. In 1984, Dinning was appointed Alberta’s youngest deputy minister in the Alberta department of Federal and Intergovernmental Affairs. He first sought elected office in 1986, winning the riding of Calgary-Shaw in that year's provincial general election. He was appointed Minister of Community and Occupation Health in June 1986 and two years later he was appointed Minister of Education. In 1992, Dinning was appointed Provincial Treasurer by newly installed Premier Ralph Klein. In 1997, he was given the Distinguished Service Award by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Alberta, in recognition of his leadership in improving Alberta’s financial affairs. Dinning elected to leave politics that same year and joined TransAlta Corporation where he served as Senior Vice-President and subsequently, Executive Vice-President from 1998 to 2004. Dinning is currently married to Evelyn Main. He has four children from his first marriage.

Policy Platform

Energy & Resources:

Put limits on growth in the booming oil sands region of northeastern Alberta;
Invest part of Alberta’s resource revenues in permanent funding for a sustainable water-use strategy, especially in the oil sands region;
Press the oil industry to upgrade more of the oil sands' output in Alberta, rather than shipping it to the US; and
Oil processing in Alberta should be a condition of project approval.

Environment

Make it a requirement for wise environmental stewardship as a non-negotiable condition for doing business in Alberta;
Set aggressive targets (within 18 months) for reducing emissions and developing incentives and regulations to ensure those targets are met;
Develop environmental technologies in Alberta and licence those technologies to the rest of the world, including technologies that address global warming, such as clean coal, carbon capture and sequestration, and alternative energies and biofuels;
Protect the water supply and enhance water quality;
Manage urban sprawl and its impact on traffic and congestion; and
Protect and enhance Alberta’s wilderness, provincial parks, and wildlife.

Health Care

Give the province’s nine regions more power to make changes to improve health care delivery, rather than relying solely on systemic changes in the Third Way plan (an initiative aimed at reforming the health care system by, in part, incorporating select private health care measures into the public system);
Exhaust all options for strengthening the public system before looking beyond it for solutions;
Continue to challenge health regions to find the most efficient and best ways of eliminating bottlenecks and constraining costs;
Address shortages of doctors, nurses and other health providers, especially in rural areas; and
Pursue innovative and practical ideas within the public health system – ideas such as primary health care, managing chronic illnesses, and establishing electronic health records.

Victor Doerksen

Victor Doerksen was born on November 25, 1953 in Bassano, Alberta and grew up in Linden, Alberta. He became a certified general accountant (CGA) in 1980, complementing his previous education as a computer analyst/programmer. Doerksen then served as a credit officer with the Federal Business Development Bank, and as a comptroller for a private business. He subsequently joined the Bank of Montreal in 1982; during his 12-year tenure with the bank he progressed to the position of senior manager, and worked in Brandon and Winnipeg (Manitoba), and Edmonton and Red Deer (Alberta). He was honoured by the CGA Association in 1998 with a fellowship award in recognition of his commitment of service to the community, and to the CGAA. He began his political life in 1993 when he was elected MLA (Member of the Legislative Assembly) for Red Deer-South. As MLA he served on the implementation team on Accountability in Education, the Task Force on the Young Offenders Act, the Monitoring Enforcement and Access Committee, and the Task Force on Eye Care Services. In March 2001, Doerksen was appointed as Minister of Innovation and Science and reappointed to this position in November 2004. Doerksen lives in Red Deer with his wife Doris. They have four grown children.

Policy Platform

Health Care/Energy & Resources

Create a $25 billion health care trust that would generate money to pay for future medicare costs, with 25 percent of Alberta’s total energy royalties going into the new trust until it reaches $25 billion.

Social Services

Implement a new $300 million Child Care Option program, designed to directly provide parents with $100 per month for each child under six years of age;
Include a new element under the Child Health Care Benefit to provide low-income parents with the opportunity to enroll their children in sports and recreation programs; and
Increase non-refundable tax credits for those providing elder care, in addition to increasing said amount to equal that of the basic personal amount.

Dave Hancock

Dave Hancock was born in Fort Resolution, NWT on August 10, 1955, lived in Hazelton, BC, and then moved to Fort Vermilion, Alberta. He moved to Edmonton in 1972 where he received his law degree from the University of Alberta and was a partner at Matheson and Company, Barristers and Solicitors, before entering politics. Hancock served as Regional Director (1974-76), Youth President (1974-76) and President (1990-92) of the Progressive Conservative Party. As Party President he chaired the 1992 Leadership Selection Process, steering the party to changes that included using a one-member one-vote system (the one-member-one-vote principle allows direct participation by granting each party member one vote in the leadership selection). He has held the posts of Government House Leader, Vice Chair of the Standing Policy Committee on Education and Employment, and member of the Agenda and Priorities Committee and Treasury Board. He also chaired the government’s Strategic Planning Committee, which developed a renewed vision and 20-year plan for Alberta. First elected in 1997, Hancock is currently serving his third term as Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Edmonton-Whitemud. He has previously served as Minister of Advanced Education, Minister of Justice and Attorney General, and Minister of Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Affairs.

Policy Platform

Energy& Resources

Work with industry to set appropriate targets and standards;
Work with municipalities and communities on a regional basis to encourage resource and service sharing and cooperation;
Impose stricter enforcement and penalties for breaches of environmental responsibilities; and
Adopt new building and construction standards to reduce energy demands.

Environment

Refresh and update the Clean Air Strategy by developing public awareness and using an accountability framework to hold accountable those responsible for clean air;
Establish the Water for Life Strategy as a government priority to ensure the short-term value of the resource being extracted is not considered without devoting appropriate attention to the long-term impact on the water supply;
Implement the Land Use Strategy to ensure the long-term viability of the land in every part of Alberta; and
Provide leadership to the world by developing and exporting new technologies in areas related to climate change and emissions.

Health Care

Spur competition and innovation by improving accountability through the publication of real, standardized performance measures across Alberta which are reported to the public;
Support the health regions in improving access and productivity overall, and especially in the areas of primary care and ‘advanced access’ re-engineering of referral to specialty services;
Ensure all health care professionals, including nurses, pharmacists, and optometrists, are allowed to practice to the full extent of their training and capability (and to take responsibility accordingly); and
Ensure post-secondary institutions are working with the health community so Alberta is training the people needed to fully staff the health care system, especially in smaller communities and in hard-to-recruit disciplines.

Education

Implement an Alberta post-secondary single point-of-access for students, enabling them to apply for their programs by electronically submitting one application and one fee. Applicants who qualify will be advised of the options available for the programs they desire so that they can prioritize their access choice and be assured of admission to a program within Alberta;
Access to post-secondary education, and that post-secondary institutions are "thirsty" for students – recruiting actively and promoting high school completion and transition to post-secondary studies;
Fulfill the commitment made to create 60,000 new spaces for Alberta students, ensuring that spaces are available in programs in high demand by students and the workplace (e.g., health care); and
Work with stakeholders to drive an initiative to fund Alberta resident students’ first-year tuition for PSE (no matter whether it's college, trade school, technical institute, art college or university) immediately following high school completion. Such a policy will be a strong incentive for students to complete high school (thus raising our completion rates) and effectively cut the tuition cost of a four-year degree by 20 percent. Post-secondary graduates will receive a tuition rebate upon completion of their post-secondary program.

Gary McPherson

Gary McPherson was born in Edson, Alberta but has lived in Edmonton since 1955. For 20 years he served as President of the Canadian Wheelchair Sports Association (CWSA). McPherson has been recognized for his work with numerous awards and has been inducted into both the Edmonton and Alberta Sports Halls of Fame. On November 16, 1995 he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Laws Degree by the University of Alberta for his contribution to the community. McPherson served for 10 years as Chairman of the Premier's Council on the Status of Persons with Disabilities providing advice to the Government of Alberta. Currently, he is Executive Director of the Canadian Centre for Social Entrepreneurship (CCSE) in the Faculty of Business at the University of Alberta. He is also an adjunct professor, as well as a special lecturer and advisor in the Faculty of Physical Education & Recreation. McPherson is married to Valerie Kamitomo; they have two teenaged children.

Policy Platform

Energy & Resources

Levy a reasonable royalty on the extraction and sale of the oil sand resources;
Develop a strategy for the longer term development of Alberta’s oil sands by seeking a resolution to establish a panel under the auspices of the Energy and Utilities Board (EUB) consisting of five or six knowledgeable people with the authority to: a) define the specific issues/problems to be dealt with in planning oil sands development; b) hold a series of public (and possibly private) meetings to provide interested parties with the opportunity to present their views; and c) develop and present a plan of action for approving and regulating the orderly construction and operation of major oil sands projects to the Alberta government; and
Enact and enforce strict environmental guidelines respecting the construction and operation of an oil sands project to deal with the disposal of solid and liquid wastes, the reclamation of mined lands, the discharge of gaseous effluents, and the use/recycling of river waters.

Environment

Implement the Alberta Foundation for the Environment (AFE), which will result in the creation of new knowledge-based and "value-added" applied environmental technologies that can be utilized in Alberta and marketed worldwide in conjunction with private businesses; and
Seed the (AFE) with up to $300 million dollars of provincial funding, and seek similar federal monies and contributions from private industry to emphasize, expedite, and strengthen research and the commercialization of products that will enhance air quality, water usage, and interaction with natural resource extraction.

Health Care

Take a bold, new and proactive approach to facilitating healthy lifestyles and providing relevant information that will enable most Albertans to take personal responsibility as it relates to their overall individual health;
Focus efforts on proactive health and self-responsibility and, in the process, begin to elevate the importance of healthy living options and alternatives; and
Take care of the immediate issues that affect Albertans with respect to their personal pain and suffering, such as waiting lists for hip and knee replacements.

Ted Morton

Ted Morton obtained his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Colorado College in 1971, his Master of Arts in Political Science from the University of Toronto in 1975, and his Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Toronto in 1981. He was an instructor at Assumption College in Worcester, Massachusetts, from 1978 to 1981. From 1981 to 2004 he was a professor with the University of Calgary and a visiting professor with a number of other institutions. In 2001, he served as the Director of Policy and Research with the Office of the Leader of the Official Opposition, Parliament of Canada. In 1998, Dr. Morton was elected as a Senator-in-waiting in Alberta’s second-ever senate election. Throughout his working life he has received several career awards and distinctions; he has also published numerous articles, in addition to editing, authoring, and co-authoring several books. He and his wife Bambi have three children.

Policy Platform

Energy & Resources

Saving 30 percent of non-renewable resource revenues and redressing oil and gas royalty rates.

Environment

Proclaim new Land Use Framework that protects Mountain Parks and Eastern Slopes;
Protect wildlife, end out-of-season hunting and fishing, repeal Métis Harvesting Agreement; and
Compensate landowners for wildlife habitat preservation.

Health Care

Supplement existing universal system with private insurance;
Reduce wait times and allow private clinics to deliver some services; and
Ensure Emergency Room accountability.

Other Issues

Increase Alberta’s clout by using full extent of constitutional powers on issues such as health, law, labour, and the environment;
Guide and manage Alberta’s full growth potential with a pension plan, police force, and made-in-Alberta immigration priorities; and
A re-introduction of Bill 208, allowing clergy members and marriage commissioners to choose to refuse to marry same-sex couples.

Mark Norris

Mark Norris was born in Edmonton in 1962. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from St. Francis Xavier University in Nova Scotia before beginning his business and professional career in Edmonton. In 1990, he purchased the family business (advertising and sign manufacturing) running it for nine years, before selling it to Pattison Outdoor Advertising in 1999. Over the years he has been involved in the volunteer sector, supporting and founding several community organizations (Founder, Tri-ing for Kids Triathlon Event; Founder, Mark Norris Rotary Invitational Golf Tournament; Supporter, Junior Achievement). Norris entered provincial politics in 2001, standing for election in the riding of Edmonton-McClung. After winning his seat he subsequently served as the Minister of Economic Development, responsible for Tourism and Industry, from 2001 to 2004. Mike Norris and his wife Veronica have two children.

Policy Platform

Energy & Resources

Manage Alberta’s abundant and varied energy resources and maintain a competitive royalty and regulatory regime;
Create a Ministry of Energy and Oil Sands with a responsibility to work closely with other departments on environmental, infrastructure, and community challenges in northeastern Alberta (the department would be mandated to increase value-added energy development in the province); and
Aggressively protect Alberta’s natural resources from federal intrusions.

Environment

Implement the Water for Life strategy to ensure a safe drinking water supply, healthy aquatic ecosystems, and reliable water supplies for a sustainable economy;
Improve Alberta’s monitoring and knowledge about water resources and groundwater mapping;
Expand the responsibilities of the Alberta Environment Department to include a greater role in integrating economic, resource, and environmental policy; and
Adjust Alberta Environment’s business plan so that recommendations on key issues are brought forward on a timely basis.

Health Care

Ensure health care partners are accountable for health and financial outcomes, review the management system to ensure every dollar that should be spent on front-line care is actually being spent there and not on overlapping management systems;
Review the RHA structure and delivery models to ensure efficient service delivery;
Conduct a review of the electronic health record system and ensure the system is cost-effective and that patient confidentiality is not violated;
Further extend the diagnostic and treatment centre clinic model, working effectively in Calgary, to other areas;
Consider locating medi-centres near major emergency wards so that Albertans can get proper service at the appropriate place without long waits; and
Review the $3.5 billion capital plan for health care to ensure the right facility is being built in the right place.

Lyle Oberg

Lyle Oberg was born and raised in Forestburg, Alberta. He graduated from the University of Alberta in 1983 after completing his pre-med studies in Red Deer. He practiced medicine for 10 years as a family physician and general practitioner before making the transition to politics. He won a seat in the Alberta Legislature as MLA (Member of the Legislative Assembly) for Strathmore-Brooks, a riding he continues to represent today. He currently sits as an Independent (not affiliated with any political party), having been expelled by the PC Party caucus in the spring of 2006. Oberg has held several cabinet appointments including Minister of Family and Social Services (1997-99), Minister of Learning (1999-2004), and Minister of Infrastructure & Transportation (November 2004-March, 2006). Over the years he has been involved in key initiatives which include championing the identification and prevention of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, and leading the initiative with other prairie provinces; establishing Alberta’s first Public-Private Partnership (P3), the Anthony Henday Freeway in Edmonton; delivering the Oberg Report on Health Care 1995; and, developing a new funding framework for the K-12 education system, allowing flexibility and including a set of accountabilities for boards. Oberg and his wife Evelyn have four children.

Policy Platform

Energy & Resources

Allocate two percent of all existing energy royalties collected to be returned back to the contributing communities for local infrastructure improvements;
Require Alberta Finance to prepare and release annually, to Albertans, 25-year projections for synthetic crude oil and bitumen royalties, so that Albertans know what they can expect to receive in economic rent from their stake in the oil sands and bitumen resources;
As of January 1, 2008, proceed with the anticipated termination of temporary royalty programs introduced in the 1980s and early 1990s to stimulate investment and stem the effects of low energy prices; and
Increase funding to Alberta’s Utilities Consumer Advocate (UCA) to $10 million annually, thereby enabling it to more adequately perform its functions of soliciting, listening to, and analyzing consumer concerns, and providing advice and guidance to stakeholders including government, regulators, and utilities.

Environment

Push for Alberta to invest some of its current royalties into an endowment fund for the development of transitional energy technologies including the development of a viable bio-fuels production chain, which would help grain farmers and protect the environment at the same time;
Make mapping Alberta’s water aquifers a high priority and develop a management plan to ensure all Alberta industries and future generations will have access to clean, safe, and affordable water; and
Ensure the quality or safety of Alberta’s drinking water by enhanced monitoring and investments in technology and infrastructure for water treatment and waste water management on a regional basis throughout the province.

Health Care

As a basic principle of good health care practice, treatment must be guaranteed by the Government of Alberta within a medically acceptable timeframe for a wide range of procedures;
Protect the integrity and quality of the public system by requiring doctors to devote a minimum of 75 percent of their time to the public system;
The health care system must focus on patient needs to enable Albertans to select the timing and the type of treatment they want;
The Alberta Initiative for Health Care Improvement would set aside $50 million to reach out to front-line health care practitioners across the spectrum of traditional and alternative medicine to examine how best to improve health care delivery; and
Eliminate health care premiums through a phased-out approach, supplanting that fiscal source with general revenues derived from a more efficient health delivery and patient choice system.

Ed Stelmach

Ed Stelmach was born and raised in the Lamont area of Alberta. While studying pre-law at the University of Alberta in 1973, a family tragedy forced Stelmach to postpone his university education and return to run the family farm. In 1986, Stelmach was elected as representative in his county; one year later he was appointed Reeve. Stelmach served as the County's representative on the local school district, and as the regional representative on the Alberta Health Unit Association of Alberta. He also served on the board of the Lamont Health Care Centre from 1986 to 1993. In 1993, Stelmach won the Progressive Conservative nomination for Vegreville-Viking. During his term as MLA he was appointed Chair of the Alberta Agriculture Research Institute. He also served as the Deputy Whip, and then as Government Caucus Whip in 1995, which led to four consecutive cabinet appointments: Minister of Agriculture (1997-99), Minister of Infrastructure (1999-2001), Minister of Transportation (2001-04), and Minister of International and Intergovernmental Affairs (2004-06). In March 2006, Stelmach resigned from cabinet to enter the leadership contest. Stelmach and his wife Marie have four grown children.

Policy Platform

Energy & Resources

Invest the resource revenues of oil and gas so that future generations will not be as dependent on selling non-renewable resources;
Immediately conduct a public, transparent review of the royalty regime to ensure Albertans are getting their fair share of the resources they own; and
Implement an investment plan for resource royalties that creates an Alberta-funded and secure Alberta Pension Plan, through fiscal discipline and low and fair taxes.

Environment

Improve quality of life by protecting the environment, reducing emissions, and ensuring a sustainable safe water supply; and
Plan for existing and new provincial parks.

Health care

Unite health professionals to improve the publicly funded health system; and
Take better care of seniors, including expanding long-term care and improving standards of care.

Other Issues:

Increase accessibility to post-secondary education and reduce costs for students by expanding the system of colleges and technical institutions and establishing satellite campuses in new locations.

Alberta Progressive Conservative Leadership Campaign News

A survey of current news, polls and issues surrounding the campaign

Opinion Polls

According to a Leger Marketing poll completed for the Calgary Herald on October 30, 2006, Jim Dinning led the race with support from 23 percent of respondents self-declared as PC party supporters (and 18 percent of the 900 Albertans surveyed). Lyle Oberg was the second-place candidate with support from 16 percent of respondents self-declared as PC party supporters (and 14 percent of the 900 Albertans surveyed). Ted Morton received the support of six percent of party supporters, while the rest had the support of four percent or fewer party supporters. However, at that point the race was far from over as 35 percent of self-declared PC supporters remained undecided (the number of undecided PC supporters fell from 45 percent in August 2006). A note of caution: self-identified PC party supporters are not necessarily the same people who voted in the leadership contest. Furthermore, these types of all member vote leadership contests reward the selling of memberships and mobilizing people to vote. All of the campaigns were busy recruiting new party members – their success in doing may have helped determine the outcome. The poll, conducted between October 23 and 30 2006, interviewed 900 Albertans; of the 900 surveyed, 476 identified themselves as PC party supporters. The margin of error for a sample of this size is ± 3.3 percent, 19 times out of 20; and the margin of error for the sample of self-declared PC Party supporters is ± 4.5 percent, 19 times out of 20.

Election Hot Topics

With eight candidates in the race for leader of the Progressive Conservative Party, and ultimately the job of Premier of Alberta, debates on policy were crucial in differentiating each candidate's position. As can be expected, the development of a long-term strategy for natural resources revenues was a hot topic in the leadership race. Reforming the health care system and protecting Alberta’s environment also garnered significant attention.

Investing Natural Resource Revenue: The Oil Sands

Alberta’s oil sands represent 54 percent of Alberta's total oil production and, one-third of all oil produced in Canada. The oil sands contain deposits of bitumen, a heavy black oil that must be rigorously refined and then converted to crude oil to produce gasoline and diesel fuels. At the time of the leadership race more than 2,700 oil sands lease agreements were in place in Alberta, leaving another 70 percent available for exploration and leasing. Thus, it was not surprising that leadership candidates focused on how, if elected, they would invest revenue from Alberta’s energy industry.

Management of the oil sands industry was also a key leadership contest issue. Several candidates indicated that, if selected, they would impose new regulations on oil sands development, such as making large oil companies upgrade raw oil in Alberta, rather than doing so abroad. Other candidates, meanwhile, promised to review royalty rates, as many Albertans felt the rates at the time did not fairly compensate them for the development of the province’s oil sands resources. Overall, the issue of investing revenues and regulating Alberta’s oil sands industry played a central role in the race.

Protecting the Environment

The energy sector is closely tied to many of the environmental issues that challenge the province. Consequently, the environment featured prominently in this leadership contest. Alberta’s oil sands, while prosperous for the region, are Canada’s top source of greenhouse gas emissions, and are potentially damaging to the environment. Candidates faced the task of explaining how they would deal with balancing the economic benefits of oil sands development with the environmental repercussions of mining. Proposed solutions included imposing stricter environmental regulations, slowing development in the northern part of Alberta, and investing in revenues in clean energy research.

Access to Health Care

For many Albertans, especially senior citizens, the issue of access to timely medical procedures is an important policy debate. Accordingly, most of the candidates in the race focused, to a large extent, on health care system reforms. Prior to announcing his retirement, Premier Ralph Klein had advocated for a “Third Way,” an initiative aimed at reforming the health care system by, in part, incorporating select private health care measures into the public system. Such measures include allowing use of secondary insurance to cover treatments from podiatrists and chiropractors, or permitting patients to pay extra to upgrade their hospital rooms or surgical procedures. Health care reform was a pressing leadership issue that continued to play out as the race wound down for the late November vote.

Alberta’s Place in Canada

In 2001, the National Post published a letter written by several prominent Alberta Conservatives (including now Prime Minister Stephen Harper and PC leadership candidate Ted Morton), advising Alberta Premier Ralph Klein to withdraw the province from many federal programs. The letter recommended several measures to put an economic and political firewall around the province to limit the extent to which the federal government could encroach upon Alberta’s provincial jurisdiction:

Replace the Canada Pension Plan with a provincial pension plan;
Set up a provincial income tax regime, rather than allow Ottawa to collect the tax on Alberta's behalf;
Replace the RCMP with an Alberta provincial police force;
Create a provincial health care plan; and compel Ottawa to create a Triple-E (effective, equal, elected) Senate.

In response, Klein stated that Alberta was ready to consider putting barriers around its economy and political authority to keep the federal government out of provincial affairs. Although he made it clear separation was not being considered, he stated that he would not keep the idea of a firewall around the province off the government's caucus table.

When the leadership race was in full-swing, Alberta’s place in Canada emerged as an important election topic. Consequently, most candidates took positions and crafted policies on how to deal with some of the issues raised by the “firewall letter.”

Rural Alberta

The rural vote was an area of focus for many candidates in this leadership contest. They attempted to tap into this demographic by spending time in the smallest and most remote corners of the province. Campaigning in these areas was especially important as many rural Albertans felt left behind by the booming Albertan economy. Income from farming was hurt by the disruption of beef exports following the BSE crisis (Mad Cow Disease). Revenues from rural well sites are often channeled into other parts of the province, while the costs for maintaining country roads carrying oilfield equipment are borne locally. Additionally, with a mature and continually developing oil industry there are higher concentrations of wells, pumps, pipelines, and high-density drilling than typically accompanies exploration for coal bed methane. This raises the issue of rural compensation for this development for both landowners and neighbours (who may be affected by the development).

For many rural Albertans this leadership election offered an opportunity to bring to the forefront issues that are of concern to them. Those candidates able to win the support of these residents (be they members of the PC Party or otherwise) will had to demonstrate a commitment to addressing their basic concerns: farm income, fair practices, and support for Alberta's tax-starved counties and municipal districts.

Results of the Alberta PC Leadership Contest

Highlights and winners of the votes

The leadership selection took place over the course of a week, with the first round of voting occurring on November 25 and the run-off vote on December 2. The following provides the highlights and results of the two votes.

See The Progressive Conservative Leadership Selection Process section of this article for more information on the rules of leadership selection.

Results of the First Round of Voting

The first round of voting was indecisive, with no candidate winning more than 50 percent of the ballots cast. The result was very close between the two frontrunners, Jim Dinning and Ted Morton, with the eventual winner, Ed Stelmach a relatively distant third. The exact results of the first round of voting were as follows:

Candidate	Votes	Percentage
Jim Dinning	29,470	30.2
Ted Morton	25,614	26.2
Ed Stelmach	14,967	15.3
Lyle Oberg	11,638	11.9
Dave Hancock	7,595	7.8
Mark Norris	6,789	6.9
Victor Doerksen	873	0.9
Gary McPherson	744	0.8
Total	97,690	100.0

Political Support After the First Round

With only the top three vote getters advancing to the second round of voting, the key political question was where the other candidates would throw their support. Lye Oberg, Dave Hancock, and Mark Norris official declared their support for Ed Stelmach, while Gary McPherson threw his support to Jim Dinning. Victor Doerksen chose not to endorse any of the leading candidates.

Results of the Second Round of Voting

In the second round of voting, party members indicated both their first and second choices for leader in a preferential ballot. With regard to members’ “first choice votes,” the result was very close between Ed Stelmach and Jim Dinning:

Candidate	Votes	Percentage
Ed Stelmach	51,764	35.9
Jim Dinning	51,282	35.6
Ted Morton	41,243	28.6
Total	97,690	100.0

However, members’ “second choice votes” overwhelmingly favoured Ed Stelmach, pushing him over the 50 percent threshold and making him the new leader of the Alberta Progressive Conservative Party and the new Premier of the province.

Candidate	1st Choice Votes	2nd Choice Votes	Total Votes	Percentage
Ed Stelmach	51,764	25,813	77,577	58.3
Jim Dinning	51,282	4,227	55,509	41.7

Source & Links for Further Information

A list of Internet links for further information on the Progressive Conservative Leadership Race

Sources Used for this Article

Electronic Sources

“No rules on fundraising, spending for Tory candidates.” CBC.ca. 21 September, 2006. 2 October, 2006.
<http://www.cbc.ca/canada/calgary/story/2006/09/21/tory-spending.html
“Facts on the Alberta Progressive Conservative party leadership race.” CBC.ca. 21 September, 2006. 2 October, 2006.
<http://www.cbc.ca/canada/calgary/story/2006/09/21/facts-race.html>
“Replacing Ralph: Leadership Hopefuls.” CBC.ca 18 October 2006. 16 October, 2006.
<http://www.cbc.ca/edmonton/features/replacingralph/>
“Battle for Alta. voters being waged on the web.” Canadian Press.18 September, 2006. 2 October, 2006.
<http://www.ctv.ca/...>
“Klein to tender resignation letter next week.” Canadian Press. 17 September, 2006. October 3, 2006.
<http://www.ctv.ca/servlet...>
“Alberta could see 'backlash' if future premier tries to change oilsands rules.” CBC.ca. 1 October, 2006. 3 October, 2006.
<http://www.cbc.ca/cp/business/061001/b100106.html>
“Would-be premiers need to address environmental, poverty issues: Poll shows Albertans see these as priorities.”Canada West Foundation. 15 May, 2006. 2 October, 2006.|
<http://www.cwf.ca/abcalcwf/doc.nsf/doc/oped_berdahl_051606.cm?Open>
“Dinning, Oberg lead pack in charge for Tories' top job.” Calgary Herald. 4 October, 2006. 5 October, 2006.
<http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/featu...>
“Alberta Tory leadership race unofficially opens.” Canadian Press.12 September, 2006. 5 October, 2006.
<http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews...>
“Profiles: Nine in the race to replace Ralph Klein.” CTVnews.ca. 20 September, 2006. 5 October, 2006.
<http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/s...>
“Alberta Tories Would Get New Victory.” Angus Reid Consultants. 9 October, 2006. 15 October, 2006.
<http://www.angus-reid.com/polls/index.cfm/fuseaction/viewItem/itemID/13411>
“Progressive Conservative Party Leadership Race.” Leger Marketing. 4 October, 2006. 31 October, 2006.
<http://www.legermarketing.com/documents/pol/061004ENG.pdf>
“MLA backing can make or break leader: Caucus support can translate into votes from individual ridings.” University of Alberta: Office of External Relations. 23 October, 2006. 28 October, 2006.
<http://www.uofaweb.ualberta.ca/govrel/news.cfm?story=51834>
“Cultivating fertile ground: Rural policies play key role in Tory leadership contest.” University of Alberta: Office of External Relations. 25 September, 2006. 28 October, 2006. <http://www.uofaweb.ualberta.ca/govrel/news.cfm?story=50846>

Links for Further Information

“Oil sands.” 2004. Government of Alberta. 15 October, 2006.
<http://www.energy.gov.ab.ca/89.asp>
“What are the Alberta oilsands?” Alberta Energy and Utilities Board. 14 June, 2005. 24 October, 2006.
<http://www.ags.gov.ab.ca/activities/CBM/alberta_oil_sands.html>

2006 New Brunswick General Election

Jay Makarenko — Tue, 01 Aug 2006 00:00:00 -0600

In September 2006, New Brunswick voters elected the provincial Liberal Party to a majority government, with its leader, Shawn Graham, becoming the new provincial Premier. The Liberals defeated the incumbent Progressive Conservative Party, led by Bernard Lord, who had governed the province since 1999. This article provides background information on elections in New Brunswick, as well as an overview of the key participants, platforms, issues, and results of the 2006 election.

New Brunswick Voting Information

What You Need to Know to Participate

Pre-Election Party Standings

Political Party Standings at Dissolution

Progressive Conservative Party of New Brunswick

Party Leader, Political Philosophy & Election Promises

Liberal Party of New Brunswick

Party Leader, Political Philosophy & Election Promises

New Brunswick New Democratic Party

Party Leader, Political Philosophy & Election Promises

2006 New Brunswick Election Results

Liberals win a majority government

Sources & Links to Further Information

List of Article Sources & Links for More Information on this Topic

New Brunswick Voting Information

What You Need to Know to Participate

Additional information on voting in a provincial election may be found at the Website of the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer.

How the Election Works

New Brunswick is divided into electoral constituencies or ridings, each of which is represented in the provincial legislature (which is called the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick). These constituencies are geographically based, representing particular areas of the province, and tend to have roughly the same number of voters in each. During a general election, voters in each constituency elect an official, called a Member of the Legislative Assembly (or MLA), to represent the riding in the provincial legislature.

The political party that forms the government and whose leader becomes premier, depends on the overall outcome of all of these constituency elections. Each candidate typically belongs to a recognized political party, such as the Progressive Conservatives, the New Democrats, or the Liberals. The premier is usually the leader of the political party that has elected the greatest number of MLAs across the province. S/he then chooses an Executive Council (also referred to as a Cabinet) and forms the government.

Who Can Vote in the Election

A person is qualified to vote in a provincial election if s/he is:

A Canadian citizen
Eighteen years of age on or before polling day
Resident in the province for six months immediately preceding the election date
Resident in the electoral district at the date of the election.

(Source: New Brunswick Office of the Chief Electoral Officer, 30 August 2006: http://www.gnb.ca/elections/general/generalrevisioninfo-e.asp)

Where to Vote in the Election

Each qualified voter can only vote once in the election and only in the constituency in which s/he resides. Prior to each election, voters are sent a Voter Information Card in the mail; this card identifies the voter, his/her polling station (where the vote is physically cast), and the polling station’s hours of operation.

Voters who do not receive a Voter Information Card are not likely on the Voter List for any constituency. In order for a voter to get on the list for his/her home electoral district, the voter must contact his/her Returning Officer or present proof of residency at the polling station prior to casting a ballot (proof of residency would include one or more pieces of identification that, between them, bear the voter’s name, civic address, and signature).

Voters who will be outside their electoral districts at the time of the election may cast a special ballot. To receive and cast a special ballot, voters must contact the Returning Officer for their home electoral district.

For more information on special ballots:

New Brunswick Office of the Chief Electoral Officer: Special Ballots

Casting Your Ballot on Election Day

To vote in person on election day, the voter simply goes to the polling station during opening hours. In order to cast a ballot, a voter will need his/her Voter Identification Card and a piece of recognized identification.

For information on what identification the voter may need:

New Brunswick Office of the Chief Electoral Officer: Identification

Each voter is then issued a folded ballot with a list of candidates for that electoral constituency. The voter takes the ballot behind a screen and marks an ‘X’ or a check mark next to the name of his/her preferred candidate. Voters can only select one candidate; choosing more than one candidate means the ballot will be considered spoiled and will not be counted in the official results.

For more information on casting a ballot:

New Brunswick Office of the Chief Electoral Officer: Ballots

Disabled, Home Bound & Hospitalized Voters

Alternative voting options are available for voters who are disabled, housebound, or hospitalized at the time of the election.

For more information on alternative voting options:

Pre-Election Party Standings

Political Party Standings at Dissolution

Results of the Last General Election (2003)

The last provincial election was held in 2003, with the Progressive Conservative Party, under leader Bernard Lord, narrowly winning a majority government. The 2003 election saw a major shift in support between the two dominant political parties, the Progressive Conservatives and the Liberals, with the PCs dropping from 44 seats in the Legislative Assembly to 28 (barely clinging to majority government status), and the Liberals increasing their total from 10 seats to 26.

2003 New Brunswick Election Results
Political Parties	Popular Vote	Seats Won	Status
Progressive Conservatives	45.45%	28	Majority Gov't
Liberal Party	44.34%	26	Official Opposition
New Democrats	9.69%	1	-
Other	0.53%	-	-

For more information on the 2003 New Brunswick General Election:

Standing Prior to the 2006 General Election

Since the 2003 general election, there have been some changes to the seat totals held by the political parties. In November 2003, Liberal MLA Bernard Richards resigned his seat in the Legislature to accept an appointment as the provincial Ombudsman. The Liberals, however, retained the seat by winning the subsequent by-election held in October 2004.

Also, in October 2004, New Democratic MLA Elizabeth Weir resigned both her seat and her party's leadership, leaving the NDP without representation in the Legislative Assembly. Liberal candidate Ed Doherty won the subsequent November 2005 by-election, increasing the Liberals’ seat total to 27.

The Liberals, however, were again reduced to 26 seats in January 2006, when MLA Frank Branch left the Liberal caucus to sit as an independent. Branch had come under heavy criticism when it became publicly known that the North Shore Forest Products Marketing Board -- of which Branch was general manager at the time -- was under investigation for impropriety and mismanagement.

In February 2006, Progressive Conservative MLA Michael Malley left his caucus over differences with his party, and also sat as an independent. The move dropped the Progressive Conservatives to minority government status, with only 27 seats versus the Liberals' 26 and the two independents. Malley, however, later returned to the Progressive Conservative caucus in April 2006, restoring the Lord government to majority status.

Party Standings Prior to 2006 Election
Political Parties	Seats	Status
Progressive Conservatives	28	Minority Gov't
Liberal Party	26	Official Opposition
Independent	1	-
New Democrats	0

Progressive Conservative Party of New Brunswick

Party Leader, Political Philosophy & Election Promises

See the New Brunswick Progressive Conservative Party Website for more information on the Party as well as news and events updates.

Party Leader: Bernard Lord

Bernard Lord was born in 1965 and grew up in the Greater Moncton, New Brunswick area. He earned a Bachelor's degree in Social Science with a major in economics, in addition to a law degree, both from the Université de Moncton. Before entering politics, Lord practiced law. In 1997, he was elected leader of the New Brunswick Progressive Conservative Party. In 1998, he was elected to the New Brunswick Legislature and became leader of the Official Opposition. In 1999, the Progressive Conservatives won a majority and Lord became Premier of New Brunswick. In 2003, Lord and the Progressive Conservatives won a second majority government, narrowly defeating the Liberal Party and its leader Shawn Graham. Lord is married to Diane Haché and they have two children.

For additional biographical information on Bernard Lord:

Party’s Political Philosophy

The New Brunswick Progressive Conservative Party is a moderate-right political party. In its statement of aims and principles, the Party places an emphasis on the individual and the ability of persons to act according to their own initiative to achieve their fullest potential. With regard to social policy, the Party states that social programs should serve the dual purpose of ensuring dignified and meaningful lives for persons in need, while promoting individual responsibility and self-reliance. Concerning economic policy, the Party supports free enterprise as the driving force for economic prosperity in the province.

For more information on the PC Party's philosophy:

New Brunswick Progressive Conservative Party: Aims & Principles (PDF)

Party’s 2006 Election Promises

Energy Costs: A dominant issue in contemporary New Brunswick politics is rising home heating and gasoline costs. Regarding this issue, the Progressive Conservatives campaigned on several initiatives they introduced while in government in the spring of 2006:

Removing the eight percent provincial sales tax from all home-heating bills;
Capping the annual power rate increase at eight per cent for residential customers;
Regulating the price of gasoline, diesel, home-heating oil, and natural gas;
Conducting a feasibility study of a second nuclear reactor at Point Lepreau; and
Taking greater government control over New Brunswick Power (the provincial public utility).

Health Care: The Progressive Conservatives also made several election promises regarding health care:

Reducing senior care costs through planned government coverage of the health care portion of nursing home costs (announced in the Progressive Conservatives' 2006 Budget);
Increasing the Health Department’s budget to add another 27 doctors in the province (announced in the 2006 Budget); and
Introducing a Provincial Diabetes Strategy to assist persons with diabetes and increase prevention. Components of the Strategy included improved screening, increasing public awareness of the disease, and improving access to testing and insulin supplies for low-income patients.

For more on the PC’s Diabetes Strategy:

New Brunswick Progressive Conservative Party: Premier Lord Announces Comprehensive Provincial Diabetes Strategy (PDF)

Education & Childcare: The Progressive Conservatives made several promises regarding education and childcare:

Increasing government spending on education in kindergarten through Grade 12 to create 240 more teaching positions and reduce classroom size (announced in the 2006 budget);
A $31 million investment for childcare, including raises for daycare workers and establishing a trust fund to assist communities in planning better childcare services and building additional daycare centres (announced in the 2006 Budget); and
A new Trades Training Strategy to provide more opportunities for youth to get jobs and to address impending trade skills shortages in the province. The Strategy included new investments in high schools and colleges to upgrade technology and vocational labs.

For more on the PC’s Trades Training Strategy:

New Brunswick Progressive Conservative Party: Lord Announces Trades Training Strategy to Create More Jobs for New Brunswickers (PDF)

Economy: In the area of economic growth and development, the Progressive Conservatives promised the following:

New tax credits for the forestry industry, enabling companies to write off one-half of their total costs on new capital equipment (announced in the 2006 Budget);
A drop in the corporate tax rate from 13 percent to 12 percent, and a reduction of the small business tax rate to 1.5 percent (announced in the 2006 Budget); and
Creation of the New Rural Economic Development Fund, worth $120 million, to spur economic growth in rural areas throughout New Brunswick.

For more on the PC’s Rural Economic Development Fund:

New Brunswick Progressive Conservative Party: Premier Lord to Establish Rural Economic Development Fund (PDF)

Liberal Party of New Brunswick

Party Leader, Political Philosophy & Election Promises

See the New Brunswick Liberal Party Website for more information on the Party and news and event updates.

Party Leader: Shawn Graham

Shawn Graham was born in 1968 in Kent County, New Brunswick. He holds a Bachelor of Physical Education Degree from the University of New Brunswick and a Bachelor of Education Degree from St. Thomas University. He also attended the Université Canadienne in France for a year of immersion studies. Prior to entering politics, Graham worked as a teacher, served in the provincial civil service as Manager of Industrial Development, and as an executive assistant to the Natural Resources and Energy Minister. Graham was first elected to the provincial legislature in 1998, representing the riding of Kent. On May 11, 2002, he was elected Leader of the New Brunswick Liberal Party as well as Leader of the Official Opposition. In the 2003 general election, Graham helped to revive the provincial Liberal Party by increasing its seat count from 10 to 26, and almost defeated the incumbent Progressive Conservatives (the PCs held on to a narrow one-seat majority). Graham is married to Roxanne Reeves.

For additional biographical information on Shawn Graham:

Party’s Political Philosophy

The New Brunswick Liberal Party is a centrist political party. Its constitution states that the Party is committed to human rights and freedoms under the law. It also emphasizes that the Party recognizes equality of opportunity, and equal access to important social goods and services, as being fundamental to human dignity in a democratic society.

For more information on the Liberals’ political philosophy:

Liberal Party: Constitution of the Liberal Party

Party’s 2006 Election Promises

Energy Costs: The Liberals outlined their own set of energy-related initiatives to reduce costs for residents:

A home energy conservation effort that would provide up to $2,000 per household to cover conservation-related upgrades;
Implementation of a “time-of-day” savings plan that would allow energy consumers to pay a lower rate on electricity when using power during “off-peak” hours;
Development of a long-term business plan to transform New Brunswick into an energy exporter. This plan included undertaking a feasibility study on the merits of operating a second nuclear reactor at the Point Lepreau facility, as well as examining opportunities for small-scale hydroelectric and clean coal energy generation;
Significant research and development initiatives into alternative sources of clean energy, such as tidal, hydrogen fuel cell, ethanol, and bio-fuel;
Reducing provincial gasoline taxes so that they are the lowest in Canada; and
Offering residents a tax rebate of $1,500 on the purchase or lease of a fuel-efficient hybrid vehicle.

For more information on the Liberals’ energy plan:

Health care: In the area of health care, the Liberals committed to several initiatives and programs:

Establishing a Rural Health Framework to increase services in rural communities;
Establishing a single, province-wide ambulance service to improve patient access to ambulance services;
Creation of a new Diabetes Assistance Program to improve access to necessary medication, supplies, and devices for New Brunswickers with diabetes;
The introduction of a new provincial addictions treatment and prevention strategy, including improving the availability of methadone treatment, as well as instituting a Prescription Drug Monitoring Program as a tool to prevent drug addiction and flag dangerous drug interactions; and
Improving seniors care, including reducing daily rates in nursing homes to $70 per day, improving wages and benefits for home support workers, and implementing (within one year) a new Long Term Care Strategy for seniors.

For more information on Liberal promises regarding health care:

Education & Childcare: With respect to education and childcare, the Liberals promised to:

Create 12,000 new community college spaces for students over the next five years;
Improve ‘inclusive’ education to ensure that students with special needs receive proper educational services, including focusing on earlier identification of disabilities and improving access to treatment and support services;
Double the number of infant spaces in the province’s licenced daycare centres; and
Provide $2 million over four years to establish the Moncton Headstart as a Centre of Excellence for upgrading the skills of early learning workers around New Brunswick.

For more information on Liberal education and childcare policy:

Economy: The Liberals also promised several initiatives for economic growth and development in New Brunswick:

A commitment to develop New Brunswick into a “have” province within the next 20 years by establishing the province as a leader in energy conservation and generation, improving the education and skills training sector, and making job creation a government priority;
Implementing key elements of the Liberal plan including strong and involved government leadership, meaningful support for small business start-ups, a new energy program (see above), and support for traditional industries (see below);
A commitment to increase the marketing budget of the Department of Tourism and Parks by $3 million to improve competitiveness and increase the number of tourists to the province;
The introduction of a new Mining Development Fund to support greater exploration of New Brunswick’s mining assets;
Establishing a cabinet committee to work with stakeholders in the forestry industry in order to modernize their activities. The Liberals have also pledged to implement a forest management plan for 2007-2012;
Creation of a Northern New Brunswick Initiative as a comprehensive development strategy for Miramichi, the Acadian Peninsula, and the Restigouche-Chaleur regions, with the aim of closing the gap between these regions and the rest of New Brunswick. The Initiative includes public investments in infrastructure to increase economic opportunities in these northern regions; and
The establishment of a new program to provide funding to small- and medium- sized businesses for start-up, diversification, and expansion plans.

For more information on the Liberal economic plan:

New Brunswick New Democratic Party

Party Leader, Political Philosophy & Election Promises

See the New Brunswick New Democratic Party Website for more information on the Party and news and event updates.

Party Leader: Allison Brewer

Allison Brewer was born in 1954 in Fredericton, New Brunswick. She received an Honours degree in Philosophy from the University of Dalhousie/King’s College in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Following university, Brewer began her career in communications with the Government of New Brunswick. She later left the provincial civil service to set up and run the Fredericton Morgentaler Clinic. From 2000-04, Brewer worked for the Government of Nunavut, eventually serving as Senior Advisor on women’s issues. She was elected leader of the New Brunswick New Democratic Party in September 2005.

For additional biographical information on Allison Brewer:

Party’s Political Philosophy

The New Brunswick New Democratic Party is a centre-left, social democratic party. The Party supports human dignity and well-being through equality of opportunity and condition among persons in society. Moreover, the Party supports some government intervention in order to promote and protect these values.

Party’s 2006 Election Promises

Energy Costs: In its 2005 Convention, the New Brunswick NDP adopted several energy-related policies, including offering rebates for energy efficiency upgrades and hiring engineering students to do preliminary energy audits (free of charge) for residential and industrial users.

Health Care: The NDP also made several health care commitments:

Institution of province-wide qualifications and minimum training requirements for home care workers; and
Introducing publicly regulated and funded midwifery care in New Brunswick.

For more information on NDP health care policy:

New Brunswick NDP; Policies

Education & Childcare: At their 2005 Convention, the NDP made several commitments in the areas of education and childcare:

Reducing class sizes in all primary and secondary grades, as well as eliminating fees and fundraising for all school essentials, including computers and learning resources;
A pledge to finance the repair or replacement of school infrastructure, and to ensure that schools can incorporate environment-friendly initiatives;
A promise to improve funding and delivery of special needs programs at the primary and secondary levels;
A promise to immediately freeze tuition fees for students at the post-secondary level, as well as enhance loan remissions for post-secondary education for persons with student debt;
Proposing to increase the base budgets of post-secondary institutions, and to address the infrastructure deficit of universities and colleges; and,
Proposed improvements to provincial childcare. This would include ensuring that all families have access to affordable, universal childcare, as well as providing funding for staff training, improved salaries and upgraded programs, and increasing the number of licenced childcare spaces in the province.

For more information on NDP education and childcare policies:

New Brunswick NDP; Policies

Economy: Economic initiatives committed to by the Party at the 2005 Convention include:

Pledging to assist the forestry industry by exploring ways to add value to the province’s forestry products; and
Promising to bring the minimum wage rate in New Brunswick to a level that would enable a single person living on one income and residing in a metropolitan area to earn enough to lift the wage-earner out of poverty. If elected, the Party has also pledged to introduce programs to assist small businesses to adjust to the increase in minimum wage.

For more information on NDP economic policies:

New Brunswick NDP; Policies

2006 New Brunswick Election Results

Liberals win a majority government

Shawn Graham and his New Brunswick Liberals won a majority government, winning 29 of 55 seats in the provincial legislative assembly. The incumbent Progressive Conservatives came in second with 26 seats, while the provincial New Democratic Party failed to win a seat. The Liberals, however, narrowly lost the popular vote, winning 47.1 percent of the vote, while the Progressive Conservatives won 47.5 percent (the NDP won only 5.1 percent).

The election was a major blow to both the Progressive Conservatives and the NDP. The Progressive Conservative also won two fewer seats than they did in the 2003 election, while the NDP fell from one seat to none.

Sources & Links to Further Information

List of Article Sources & Links for More Information on this Topic

Sources Used for this Article

Electronic Sources

“Power Politics.” CBC News. 18 August 2006. 30 August 2006.
<http://www.cbc.ca/nbvotes2006/features/feature1-power.html>.
“Tory Budget Projects Surplus Despite New Spending.” CBC News. 29 March 2006. 30 August 2006.
<http://www.cbc.ca/nb/story/nb_lordbudget200620228.html>
“Policies.” New Brunswick New Democratic Party. 30 August 2006.
<http://ndpe.myeasyupdater.com/page_1154564133759.html>
“Leader.” New Brunswick New Democratic Party. 30 August 2006.
<http://ndpe.myeasyupdater.com/page_1155248240453.html>
“Press Releases.” New Brunswick Liberal Association. 30 August 2006.
<http://www.nbliberal.ca/election/press_releases.htm>
“Media Releases.” New Brunswick Progressive Conservative Party. 30 August 2006.
<http://www.pcnb2006.com/en/releases.asp>
“The 2003 New Brunswick Election: The Aftermath.” Mapleleafweb. 07 July 2003. 30 August 2006.
<http://www.mapleleafweb.com/education/spotlight/issue_36/index.html>
“Electoral Information.” Office of the Chief Electoral Officer. 30 August 2006.
<http://www.gnb.ca/elections/general/generalrevisioninfo-e.asp>
“Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)” Office of the Chief Electoral Officer. 30 August 2006.
<http://www.gnb.ca/elections/06prov/06provFAQindex-e.asp>

Provincial Politics

2006 Alberta Progressive Conservative Leadership Race

Background events leading to the leadership race

How Does the Alberta PC Party Choose Its Leader?

How to guide for voting in the Progressive Conservatives leadership election

Background on the candidates and their policy platforms

A survey of current news, polls and issues surrounding the campaign

Highlights and winners of the votes

List of Internet links for further information on the Progressive Conservative Leadership Race

Events Leading to the PC Party Leadership Election

March 2006 leadership vote

PC Mandatory Leadership Review

Implications for the Alberta Cabinet

The Progressive Conservative Leadership Selection Process

The Voting Format

Voter Eligibility

Candidate Eligibility

Quick Guide to Voting for the Leader of the PC Party

Polling Stations

Advance Polls

Candidates Running for Leadership of the Progressive Conservatives

Declared Candidates

Jim Dinning

Policy Platform

Energy & Resources:

Environment

Health Care

Victor Doerksen

Policy Platform

Health Care/Energy & Resources

Social Services

Dave Hancock

Policy Platform

Energy& Resources

Environment

Health Care

Education

Gary McPherson

Policy Platform

Energy & Resources

Environment

Health Care

Ted Morton

Policy Platform

Energy & Resources

Environment

Health Care

Other Issues

Mark Norris

Policy Platform

Energy & Resources

Environment

Health Care

Lyle Oberg

Policy Platform

Energy & Resources

Environment

Health Care

Ed Stelmach

Policy Platform

Energy & Resources

Environment

Health care

Other Issues:

Alberta Progressive Conservative Leadership Campaign News

Opinion Polls

Election Hot Topics

Investing Natural Resource Revenue: The Oil Sands

Protecting the Environment

Access to Health Care

Alberta’s Place in Canada

Rural Alberta

Results of the Alberta PC Leadership Contest

Results of the First Round of Voting

Votes

Percentage

Total

Political Support After the First Round

Results of the Second Round of Voting

Votes