HOW TO VOTE VOTING DETAILS STUDENTS - Lethbridge Campus Media
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2019
GUIDE
VOTING DETAILS
FOR
STUDENTS
HOW
TO VOTE
PARTY PROFILES
It is your right to vote and every vote counts
DEAN HUFFMAN & CHASE MALEY
@Deano_HW & @maleycmaley
The Alberta provincial election is coming up
fast and the first step is registration. According
to instructions on the Elections Alberta website,
every person that intends to vote must register.
To register a driver’s license number or an
Alberta Identification Card number can be
presented online under the register to vote tab.
If you are not registered to vote by the time
you make it to the polls, you can present two
pieces of identification. A piece of ID is needed
with your name and a piece with your name
and address. This can range from a Canadian
military membership or identity card, a credit or
debit card that has your legal name on the front
and a library card. For pieces of ID with your
current address, you can use a bank or credit
card statement, government cheque or cheque
stub, insurance policy or coverage card, vehicle
ownership or registration or insurance certificate
and finally your where to vote card.
Advanced polling locations are also available
to students leaving town early or for just eager
voters. The early polling started on April 9 and
will end on April 13. Polling stations can be
found in all areas of the city. South side polling
stations can be found in the Holiday Inn on
Mayor Magrath Dr. S. and Park Place Mall. West
side locations are at the University of Lethbridge
and the north side location will be at the
Lethbridge Multicultural Moose Association.
Out of province voting can also be a concern
for Albertans away during the vote. Elections
Alberta suggests going to the advanced polls
before traveling or applying for a special ballot.
This ballot is then mailed to your primary
residence. This also counts if you are physically
unable to appear at the poles due to disability
or injury. You can apply for a special ballot in
writing, by telephone, by fax or email, in person
and online. You must then have your ballot
completed before 8 p.m. on April 16.
Voting is not only a right, but also a
privilege. Every vote counts and will
2019
shape our country for years to come.
GUIDE
PAGE 1
What students look for in a provincial candidate?
SETH SLOMP
tax] is not an environmental
@ssgoalie98
issue. The government taxing
us for the increased usage of
It’s election season. carbon, does not change the
The time of year you see red, environment whatsoever. It’s
blue and orange signs pegged just a money grab.”
into the ground all over the Shields believes it’s just an-
province with names like Jason other way for the government
Kenney and Rachel Notley writ- to make more money because
ten on them. they are spending too much.
But now the question all But there is also the Liberal
Albertans face is, “Who do you and Alberta Party.
vote for?” The Liberals support the pub-
Do you vote for the United lic healthcare system, but wants
Conservative Party who want to to make it more sustainable.
maintain or increase healthcare According to the Alberta
funding to give Albertans the Liberal website, “Alberta pays
chance to re- the most per
ceive the best “If funding is cut, capita for
care possible
or the New there is going to be a healthcare.”
They plan
Democratic decrease of work.” on reducing
Party who long-term
want to de- Bonnie Shields
costs by
crease emer- emphasizing preventive care,
gency room wait times? nutrition and a healthy lifestyle.
The UCP plans on keeping On the other hand, the Al-
the public health care system berta Party wants to decrease
while giving Albertans the high- money spent by Alberta Health
est quality care. Services by “charting a path to
The NDP propose adding financial stability, encouraging what the people in their riding
more medical staff to decrease innovation in the healthcare want. But I also agree with
emergency room wait times. sector and making sure the representative’s who also look
Bonnie Shields, a Practical quality of the system rises to to do more than just what the
Nursing student at Lethbridge meet the needs of Albertans.” people want as long as it’s ben-
College, said in the next four One idea the caucus has pro- eficial to the riding.”
years, she only cared about posed to abide by this election Now it all comes down to
getting a job as a nurse which is to increase the amount of election day on April 16.
means having jobs available. paramedics spending time in Could we see an NDP gov-
“If funding is cut, there is the community rather than hav- ernment stay in power for its
not going to be jobs available ing them in the hospital. second term or can Kenney
which means a decrease of When it comes down to vot- overtake the Notley govern-
work in the nursing program. ing for a provincial representa- ment and become the next
Healthcare is a huge factor.” tive Landon Malinowski, Justice Alberta premier?
However, a platform she is Studies student at the college, People can vote before
also passionate about is repeal- said he looks for transparency. April 16 with advanced
ing the carbon tax. poll dates starting on
2019
“I look for what the candi-
“I’m sorry but [the carbon date does to actually find out April 9 until April 13. GUIDE
PAGE 2
Alberta Party makes push for 2019 election
MICHAEL RODRIGUEZ
@michaelrdrguez
one of moderation, or as Rho- is the fear of splitting the vote.
denizer puts it, “not right, not “For those who want the
left, but forward.” New Democratic Party (NDP)
For the first time the Alberta
Rhodenizer said it’s difficult out of power, you don’t want
Party is coming into the 2019
to be the moderate voice in to risk vote splitting again.
Alberta provincial election
such a divisive election. The United Conservative Party
running candidates in all 87
“There are two types of mod- (UCP) was formed to stop vote
ridings.
erates. There’s the type that splitting on the right. Some of
The Alberta Party received its
is looking to pick and choose those voters, potentially UCP
first elected seat in the legisla-
policies and be everything to voters, would probably look
ture in the 2015 election, with
everyone. People don’t really at the Alberta Party as a more
former party leader and MLA
like that. It looks like you’re centrist and still reasonably
for Calgary-Bow Greg Clark
trying to please everyone. fiscally conservative party. The
winning his riding.
We’re the other type. We don’t party is run by a leader who
This time, the party’s hopes
try to please everyone, we is formerly of the Progressive
are higher according to Zac
just do please everyone. Most Conservative Party.”
Rhodenizer, the Alberta Party’s
Albertans want fiscal responsi- As of April 2, CBC’s Alberta
candidate for Lethbridge-West.
bility and social responsibility. Votes 2019 Poll Tracker proj-
“We have strong people
We’re trying to come up the ects the Alberta Party taking
across the whole province. We
middle and present good, for- six per cent of the popular vote
have 87 candidates — we’re
ward-thinking ideas and show and one seat in the Legislative
legit. We do have a shot at
we reflect Alberta’s values.” Assembly, but Rhodenizer said
forming a government, though
Faron Ellis, research chair of he thinks his party will “shock
it’s probably a long shot at this
the Citizen Society Research Alberta” with how well it does,
point. There are a few ridings
Lab, said the Alberta Party is despite polling relatively low
where I expect us to do really
coming up the centre in an compared to other parties.
well, but ultimately it’s
election that has proven very The Alberta election takes
about getting our mes-
polarizing thus far. He said the place on April 16, with ad-
sage out.”
2019
biggest challenge for smaller vanced voting taking place
GUIDE
That message is
parties running in this election from now through April 13.
PAGE 3
Alberta Liberals looking to make a change
MEGAN MCCOY
@meganmccoy546
claim litigation. Khan is also the berta Liberals are investing all
first openly gay provincial can- of their energy into creating a
didate for the Liberal party. platform that both appeals to
With the provincial election
Khan said in an updated the voting audience and makes
quickly approaching in Alberta,
platform release that policies Alberta stronger.
the Liberal party is working to
have changed within the party For many voters in Alberta,
ensure voters know their plat-
to fit the needs of voters in this the voting choice may seem
form among a sea of alternative
election. to be only between the New
options.
“Our 2019 policy platform Democratic Party and the
The Liberal party of Alberta
lays out a path for job creation, United Conservative Party, as
was founded in 1905, but the
stronger public services, sus- they are the two lead parties in
province has not had a Liberal
tainable finances, equality of the polls, however Johnathan
premier in almost a century.
opportunity, respectful inclu- Bueckert, a Liberal supporter in
The Alberta Liberal party
sion and protection of vulnera- Lethbridge said this does not
has three pillars to their central
ble Albertans.” have to be the case.
platform which are, freedom
Khan and other members of “You don’t have to vote NDP
of the individual, equality of op-
the Liberal party believe that or UCP just because everyone
portunity and fairness to future
their platform will make life else is. Everyone should be
generations.
better for all Albertans, be- picking the party that does the
For many Albertans, the con-
cause it is based on solutions to most for them individually, that
sideration of the Liberal party
current and foreseeable issues. is the reason that a democracy
as a viable option for voters has
The party has prioritized hiring works.”
been clouded by a distaste for
new teachers, improving the The Alberta Liberal Party has
the federal government, but
environment and protecting over 100 initiatives it intends
the Alberta Liberals ensure that
LGBTQ people. to implement if it wins the
the federal and provincial Liber-
With intentions to allocate election. All information on the
al parties are entirely separate.
more money to mental health party platform can be found at
Leader of the party, David
and addiction rehabilitation AlbertaLiberal.com. Ad-
Khan is a licensed lawyer based
initiatives, economic growth vanced voting begins
in Calgary, who specializes in
2019
strategies and a sustainable across Alberta from
indigenous rights and land GUIDE
health care strategy, the Al- now until April 13.
PAGE 4
NDP ready to take on challenge of a second term
RYLEY MCCORMACK
@mccormark
The Alberta NDP feels they
maintain a platform of doing
what they believe is best for
the people of Alberta.
The NDP government has
struggled to build pipelines
due to disputes between oil
companies, environmentalists,
the federal government and
indigenous communities.
This has caused friction be-
tween a large part of the public
and the NDP, because a lot of
Alberta’s economy is supported
by the oil and gas industry.
The NDP has a plan, includ- be done.” Albertan, not just the wealthy.
ing significant investment in $18 million from the carbon Investing in health care and
renewable energy infrastruc- tax has come back into Leth- education is absolutely vital for
ture. According to the NDP’s bridge to diversify the econo- sustaining a healthy, productive
platform statement, it has my. population. Their care and at-
created $10 billion in private in- The NDP has taken a strong tention to inclusion and LGBTQ
vestments and will create 7,000 stance on social issues, such as rights will ensure we continue
jobs by 2030. supporting the LGBTQ commu- to be a society that values and
Some don’t trust the NDP nity, passing an act to support protects all members.”
and their platform, believing gay-straight alliances in 2017. Hann continues, “as some-
the Notley government is hurt- The NDP is also pushing for one with a chronic health con-
ing the economy by shifting fo- the ban of conversion therapy, dition, I am dependent upon
cus away from the oil industry. a controversial practice that government health care fund-
A lot of people were also up- attempts to brainwash some- ing. I believe that by checking
set over the carbon tax, believ- one to think being part of the UCP on the ballot, people will
ing it doesn’t’ work to help the LGBTQ community is wrong. be signing the death warrant
environment, or is harmful to If the NDP remains in office, for vulnerable individuals in this
the public’s savings. they plan to continue working province.”
Maria Fitzpatrick, MLA for on health care with a focus on Hann and other supporters
Lethbridge East stands by the solving the opioid crisis. of the NDP feel that tax cuts to
carbon tax. They continue to stand by corporations don’t do a lot to
“Since we implemented our the effectiveness of supervised help the economy and prefer
climate change leadership consumption sites to help peo- higher taxes for the wealthy
plan, which included the car- ple through addictions. to fund social programs like
bon levy, our emissions have Karen Hann, a local NDP sup- healthcare and education.
been reduced by seven porter, is involved in activism NDP’s platform has a strong
2019
megatonnes. That’s an and social justice movements. emphasis on social issues and
incredible start and “I’m voting NDP because the sustainability to work towards a
it’s an example it can
GUIDE
party is one that values every better future for Albertans.
PAGE 5
A look at the UCP Platform
DARA KENDELL
@darakendell Albertans who need assistance.
The party also promises to sup-
The election is days away port Albertans with disabilities,
and the United Conservative build affordable housing and
Party (UCP) has released its full support Alberta’s indigenous
campaign platform. people.
The platform focuses on five The UCP also want to focus
simple things. Job creation, re- on health care for Albertans
pealing the carbon tax, stand- and decreasing wait times for
ing up for Alberta, getting the surgeries. According to alber-
fiscal house in order and pro- tastrongandfree.ca, “A United
tecting quality health care and Conservative government will
education. make patients the priority and
Highlights from the job cre- deliver a world-class health care
ation has the UCP committing system, which Albertans already
to repeal the carbon tax and pay for and deserve.”
creating 6,000 jobs for Alber- The party says they want to
tans. The job creation tax cut get pipelines built and stand up
will cut taxes from 12 per cent for a fair deal in Canada. They
to eight per cent for employers say they will create a “realistic”
with the hope to create 55,000 budget. This includes reducing
jobs and jumpstart the econo- the premier’s salary by 10 per
my by $12.7 billion. This plan cent and MLA’s salaries by five
includes the opportunity to per cent.
re-energize oil and gas, build Other areas of focus for “We feel that will be the best
public infrastructure and a red the UCP include bringing step to get that graduated step
tape reduction plan. back Grade Three Provincial to get young people that first
“We have said that we will Achievement Tests, making job, without over complicating
get rid of the carbon tax be- grade 12 diploma exams worth the system,” Neudorf added.
cause we believe it does not 50 per cent of students grades The UCP also wants to bring
work,” said Lethbridge East and building more schools. back the education act, which,
candidate Nathan Neudorf at “We need to modernize the in short, would remove Bill 24
an election forum on April 2. curriculum, we should include which makes it illegal for teach-
The second part of the plan issues like ensuring in the sex- ers to tell parents when stu-
focuses on making life better ual education curriculum that dents join a GSA, they would
for Albertans. Highlights of consent is taught as a critical bring back Bill 10 instead.
this section include creating a principle,” UCP leader Jason “It neither supports man-
patient-centered health care Kenney said during the Alberta datory disclosure, nor does it
system, maintaining or increas- Leaders debate on April 4. compel silence. It trusts teach-
ing health care funding and The UCP also plans to intro- ers to react in the individual
promoting experiential and duce a youth job creation wage case every single time as for
vocational learning from high for workers who are 17 years or what is best for that student,”
school through post-secondary. younger, only paying them $13 Neudorf said.
They also promise to partner an hour as well as discussing if Find your voting 2019
with non-profits and charities servers should make less than station at elections.
to create a brighter future for minimum wage. ab.ca.
GUIDE
PAGE 6Former Lethbridge MLA finds similarities between 1993, 2019 elections
SKYLAR PETERS chance when we started,
@skpeters17 but all of a sudden at the
doors people were com-
One former Leth- ing in and changing our
bridge MLA sees the minds.”
vote in the upcoming Dunford went on to
Alberta general election serve four terms as the
coming down to the MLA for Lethbridge-West,
wire, just as it did for working alongside Liberal
him 26 years ago. MLA Ken Nichol in the
Clint Dunford sees Lethbridge-East riding for
many parallels between three of those.
the 2019 and the 1993 Among several notable
election that brought accomplishments, Dun-
him into the Legislative ford says his most mem-
Assembly. orable was one where he
The United Conserva- disagreed with party poli-
tives have a substantial cy to stand up for what he
gap in the polls between believed in.
them and the NDP as it Dunford publicly dis-
stands today. Dunford agreed with the cutting
sees the race between of kindergarten funding
party leaders as more of during a question-and-an-
an open audition than swer period and feared
NDP defending its seat. he was going to be disci-
Dunford added he plined by Klein.
thinks the NDP had to “I happened to run into
question some of their Ralph in the hall before
own decisions over the a question period and
past four years in order he told me, ‘Clint, I un-
to retain some voters. derstand. Good for you.’
“While I don’t com- That’s all that was said
pletely agree with Ra- about it. There was no
chel Notley, I do think scandal. We played our
she is trying to be like cards right and we had
Peter Lougheed. Any- our funding back in kin-
one who is trying to be dergarten.”
like Peter Lougheed is Dunford says he has
taking a big step.” race in the 44 consecutive years never forgotten that moment
Dunford’s entrance into the of power in Alberta. Despite no because Klein showed appre-
Alberta Legislative Assembly change in leadership with Ralph ciation for Dunford sticking to
was by the slimmest of margins Klein remaining Alberta’s pre- what he believed in.
– 112 votes separated him from mier, the Progressive Conserva- No matter who emerges as
his nearest competitor. tives lost eight seats while the the next Premier of Alberta,
Dunford was a mem- Liberals quadrupled theirs. Dunford hopes that they exem-
2019 ber of the Progressive “We knew it was going to plify the leadership of Klein and
Conservatives that
GUIDE be close,” reminisced Dunford. Lougheed before them for the
survived the closest “We never thought we had a sake of all Albertans.
PAGE 7You can also read
