2012_Alberta_General_Election

2012 Alberta general election

2012 Alberta general election

Add article description


The 2012 Alberta general election was held on April 23, 2012, to elect members of the 28th Legislative Assembly of Alberta. A Senate nominee election was called for the same day.[1]

Quick Facts 87 seats in the Legislative Assembly of Alberta 44 seats needed for a majority, Turnout ...

During the 2011 Progressive Conservative Association leadership election, eventual winner Alison Redford stated that if she became Premier she intended to pass legislation setting a fixed election date. After taking office, her government introduced a bill relating to the timing of elections, which was passed on December 6, 2011.[2] Unlike other fixed election date legislation in Canada, the 2011 Election Amendment Act fixes the election to a three-month period, between March 1 and May 31 in the fourth calendar year. However, like other legislation, this does not affect the powers of the Lieutenant Governor to dissolve the Legislature before this period.[3] The writs of elections were dropped March 26, 2012.

Although the Wildrose Party led opinion polls for much of the campaign, on election night the Progressive Conservatives defied expectations to win 61 seats – a net loss of only five – en route to their 12th consecutive majority government. It is colloqually known as the "Lake of Fire" election for a series of controversies by Wildrose candidates, perceived to have hampered the party's campaign.[4][5][6][7]

The victory made Redford the third woman elected in her own right as a provincial premier in Canada (after Catherine Callbeck in Prince Edward Island in 1993, and Kathy Dunderdale in Newfoundland and Labrador in 2011), and the first woman elected premier in a province outside Atlantic Canada. On September 4, 2014, the Alberta PC Party became the longest-running provincial government in Canadian history. Wildrose leader Danielle Smith would later become the 19th premier of Alberta in October 2022, as leader of the United Conservative Party.

Overall, across the province, 1,290,352 valid votes were cast in this election.[8]

Background

27th Legislature

The 27th Alberta Legislature saw a significant decline in the polls for the governing Progressive Conservatives (PCs) and the popularity of Premier Ed Stelmach.

The Wildrose Party was the primary beneficiary of voter migration in opinion polls from the governing PCs, after former leader Paul Hinman won a by-election, and the party elected Danielle Smith as leader. On January 4, 2010, the Wildrose caucus supplanted the New Democrats to become the third-largest in the legislature when PC MLAs Rob Anderson (Airdrie-Chestermere) and Heather Forsyth (Calgary-Fish Creek) joined Wildrose. Later in 2010, former PC cabinet minister Guy Boutilier (Fort McMurray-Wood Buffalo) joined, becoming the party's fourth MLA. However, their support has waned in the year following, as did polling fortunes for the Liberal Party, while the Alberta NDP was polling at double its result in the previous election.

The Liberals lost two MLAs during the 27th Legislature — Dave Taylor (Calgary Currie) who left to sit as an independent, before becoming the first MLA for the Alberta Party; and Bridget Pastoor (Lethbridge-East) who crossed the floor to join the PC caucus in November 2011. However, the Liberals gained one MLA in selecting Raj Sherman (Edmonton-Meadowlark) as their leader in September 2011, who had been ejected from the PC caucus in November 2010.

On January 25, 2011, Ed Stelmach abruptly announced that he would not seek re-election, and would resign as leader of the Progressive Conservatives and as premier after a successor was chosen. Alison Redford was chosen as Stelmach's successor on October 1, 2011, and following her election the PCs improved their results in opinion polls. Her new government presented six pieces of legislation, the most notable of which regarded fixed election dates, an investigation into health care, and tougher penalties for impaired driving. All six bills were passed in the fall 2011 sitting of the 27th Legislature.[9] The 2012 election is a result of the fixed election legislation, which fixed the date of the next provincial election in Alberta between March 1 and May 31, 2012, and requires subsequent elections in that period in the fourth calendar year thereafter. The law does not affect the ability of Alberta's Lieutenant-Governor to dissolve the assembly and call an election before that time. However, that is not likely to occur during majority governments. The legislature was dissolved and the writs were dropped on March 26, 2012.

Green Party dispute

A year after the previous general election the Alberta Greens became mired in an internal dispute that resulted in the collapse of the party, and its de-registration by Elections Alberta. Some of the former Green party executive, including former deputy leader Edwin Erickson, eventually joined the Alberta Party, while others regrouped and founded the Evergreen Party of Alberta.[10]

Results

As indicated on the maps, the rural vote split largely on regional lines. Wildrose support was concentrated largely in Southern Alberta while the party won only one seat north of the 53rd parallel, while the PCs were reduced to just one seat in rural Southern Alberta. Wildrose won only three urban seats (two in Calgary and one in Medicine Hat) while the PCs won the majority of seats in both Calgary and Edmonton, swept Edmonton's suburbs and swept the two seats contested in each of Fort McMurray, Grande Prairie, Lethbridge and Red Deer. The Liberals were confined to the two largest cities, winning three seats in Calgary and two in Edmonton. The New Democrats won all four of their seats in Edmonton.

The PCs polled about 44 percent of the popular vote, and four cabinet ministers were defeated. The Wildrose won 17 seats to become the Official Opposition for the first time. It was a net increase of thirteen seats for the party, although two of the four Wildrose incumbents (Guy Boutilier and Paul Hinman) were defeated by their PC challengers. The party polled more than 34 percent of the popular vote, more than five times their share in the previous election, and finished a close second in dozens of constituencies.

The Liberals saw their share of the vote plummet by almost two thirds and polled under ten percent for the first time since 1982. The result therefore appeared to give credence to speculation that Liberal voters from last election voted "strategically" for moderate PC candidates to defeat the more conservative Wildrose Party. Nevertheless, the five Liberal incumbents seeking re-election all managed to do so, with the Liberals losing the three seats where their incumbents did not run again. It was the Liberals' lowest seat total since the 1986 election. The Liberals were relegated to third party status in the Legislature for the first time since 1993.

The New Democrats won four seats, double their previous total and enough to secure official party status in the Legislature. Both NDP incumbents were re-elected. The NDP polled just under ten percent of the vote, marginally less than the Liberals' share and a modest increase from the last election.

Summary

More information Party, Party leader ...

Notes:

  1. Results at the count.[12]
  2. Results change is compared to the Alberta Greens in 2008.
  3. Elections Alberta lists Bart Hampton as leader of the Separation Party of Alberta, however the party's only candidate is party president Glen Dundas.[13]

The voter turnout was 54%.[14]

Vote and seats summaries

More information Popular vote ...
More information Seats summary ...
Results by riding

By region

More information Party, Calgary ...

Gains, holds, and losses

More information Party, Seats (dissol.) ...

Defeated incumbents

More information Defeated incumbent, Affiliation ...

Notes:

  1. Morton was an incumbent in Foothills-Rocky View
  2. Benito sat as a Progressive Conservative in the 27th Legislative Assembly, lost the candidate nomination, and ran as an independent
  3. Boutilier was elected as a Progressive Conservative in the 2008 election
  4. Danyluk was an incumbent in Lac La Biche-St. Paul
  5. Lund was an incumbent in Rocky Mountain House

Opinion polls

The following is a summary of opinion polls leading up to the 2012 election.

More information Date of Polling, Polling Firm ...

MLAs not running again

Timeline

Nominated candidates

More information Party, Seats ...

Bold indicates cabinet members, and party leaders are italicized.

Northern Alberta

More information Electoral District, Candidates ...

Central Edmonton

More information Electoral District, Candidates ...

Suburban Edmonton

More information Electoral District, Candidates ...

Western and Central Alberta

More information Electoral District, Candidates ...

East Central Alberta

More information Electoral District, Candidates ...

Central Calgary

More information Electoral District, Candidates ...

Suburban Calgary

More information Electoral District, Candidates ...

Southern Alberta

More information Electoral District, Candidates ...

See also


Works cited

References

  1. "Voters to elect Senate nominees in upcoming election". Global Edmonton. March 26, 2012. Archived from the original on March 27, 2012. Retrieved March 26, 2012.
  2. "Bill 21: Election Amendment Act, 2011 (Olson)". The Legislative Assembly of Alberta. Archived from the original on January 22, 2010. Retrieved December 7, 2011.
  3. "Bill 21, Election Amendment Act, 2011" (PDF). The Legislative Assembly of Alberta. December 6, 2011. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 18, 2012. Retrieved December 7, 2011.
  4. "Bill Status Report for the 27th Legislature – 4th Session (2011)". Legislative Assembly of Alberta. December 8, 2011. Archived from the original on April 3, 2012. Retrieved January 18, 2012.
  5. "Vision2012 Society". Evergreen Party of Alberta. Archived from the original on February 4, 2010. Retrieved January 2, 2012.
  6. "Nominated Candidates". Elections Alberta. Archived from the original on April 17, 2012. Retrieved April 10, 2012.
  7. "Unofficial Results". Elections Alberta. Archived from the original on April 26, 2012. Retrieved April 24, 2012.
  8. "Parties". Elections Alberta. Archived from the original on January 18, 2012. Retrieved April 9, 2012.
  9. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on April 18, 2015. Retrieved April 17, 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  10. This poll paid for and provided to the press by the Wildrose Alliance
  11. Ady, Cindy (March 5, 2012). "Public Announcement". Cindy's Blog. Archived from the original on October 21, 2013. Retrieved March 5, 2012.
  12. Tumilty, Ryan (December 7, 2011). "Allred out". St. Albert Gazette. Retrieved December 7, 2011.[permanent dead link]
  13. Wood, James (January 12, 2012). "Family, 'other interests' see MLA Blackett leaving after one term". Calgary Herald. Retrieved January 13, 2012.[permanent dead link]
  14. "Not Seeking Re-Election". Dougelniski.com. January 19, 2012. Archived from the original on April 28, 2012. Retrieved January 27, 2012.
  15. Kelly Cryderman; Keith Gerein (December 7, 2011). "Tory veteran Evans will retire when spring election called". Calgary Herald. Edmonton Journal. Retrieved December 7, 2011.[permanent dead link]
  16. "Alberta Tory 'old boys' clogging the pipes of renewal". Calgary Herald. December 2, 2011. Retrieved December 9, 2011.[permanent dead link]
  17. Braid, Don (December 8, 2011). "Ron Liepert won't run for re-election: sources". Calgary Herald. Retrieved December 8, 2011.[permanent dead link]
  18. "Speaker Ken Kowalski announces retirement". Calgary Herald. December 9, 2011. Retrieved December 9, 2011.[permanent dead link]
  19. "Big shoes to fill for Little Bow Riding". Vauxhall Advance. November 24, 2011. Archived from the original on April 26, 2012. Retrieved December 9, 2011.
  20. "Alberta Tories do something about 'do-nothing committee'". The Globe and Mail. Canada. March 20, 2012. Archived from the original on May 25, 2013. Retrieved March 21, 2012.
  21. "Nominations Close In PC Race". CJCY. January 22, 2012. Archived from the original on January 19, 2013. Retrieved February 12, 2012.
  22. "Tarchuk stepping down at term's end". Cochrane Times. December 8, 2011. Archived from the original on May 14, 2012. Retrieved December 9, 2011.
  23. Kleiss, Karen (September 28, 2011). "MacDonald opts to step down". Edmonton Journal. Retrieved September 28, 2011.[permanent dead link]
  24. "MLA Taylor won't run again". Calgary Sun. Archived from the original on June 7, 2012. Retrieved August 30, 2011.
  25. Contenti, Justina (December 7, 2011). "Snelgrove officially steps down as MLA". Vermilion Standard. Archived from the original on September 17, 2012. Retrieved December 8, 2011.
  26. "Leaving Wildrose Alliance". Robert Leddy. August 29, 2009. Retrieved August 29, 2009. [dead link]
  27. White, Tarina (January 4, 2010). "Tories crossing floor to Wildrose". Calgary Sun. Archived from the original on January 5, 2010. Retrieved January 4, 2010.
  28. Bell, Rick (April 12, 2011). "Dave Taylor to leave Alberta Liberals". Edmonton Sun. Archived from the original on December 1, 2016. Retrieved December 14, 2011.
  29. Bennett, Dean (June 25, 2010). "Former Alberta cabinet minister joins Wildrose Alliance". Globe and Mail. Canada. Archived from the original on June 28, 2010. Retrieved June 27, 2010.
  30. "New electoral boundaries reflect Alberta's growing population". Government of Alberta. December 1, 2010. Archived from the original on July 7, 2012. Retrieved September 17, 2011.
  31. Josh Wingrove; Renata D'Aliesio; Nathan Vanderklippe (January 25, 2011). "Conservative showdown prompts Stelmach's resignation". Globe and Mail. Canada. Archived from the original on January 28, 2011.
  32. Stelmach, Ed (January 25, 2011). "Premier Ed Stelmach's comments today". Your Alberta Blog. Government of Alberta. Archived from the original on May 1, 2011.
  33. Josh Wingrove. "Alberta Liberal Leader bows out as political landscape shifts". Globe and Mail. Canada. Archived from the original on February 4, 2011.
  34. "Leadership election results announced". Alberta Party. May 28, 2011. Archived from the original on March 17, 2012. Retrieved May 28, 2011.
  35. "Wildrose drops 'Alliance' from name". CBC News. June 26, 2011. Archived from the original on August 15, 2016. Retrieved June 2, 2018.
  36. "Liberal leader Sherman now caucus member". CBC News. September 12, 2011. Archived from the original on March 12, 2016. Retrieved June 2, 2018.
  37. "Alison Redford sworn in as Alberta Premier". CBC News. October 7, 2011. Archived from the original on August 29, 2019. Retrieved June 2, 2018.
  38. Cryderman, Kelly (November 21, 2011). "Lethbridge MLA Pastoor crosses floor to join Conservatives". Calgary Herald. Archived from the original on November 23, 2011. Retrieved November 21, 2011.
  39. Smith, Dawn (January 2, 2012). "Green party back on Alberta's political scene". Rocky View, Alberta: Rocky View Weekly. Archived from the original on May 27, 2012. Retrieved January 3, 2012.
  40. Wood, James (December 29, 2011). "Evergreen Party rises from ashes of Alberta Greens". Calgary, Alberta: Calgary Herald. Archived from the original on January 3, 2012. Retrieved January 3, 2012.
  41. "Contact Information for Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills". Legislative Assembly of Alberta. Archived from the original on June 5, 2011. Retrieved March 21, 2012.
  42. Kleiss, Karen (March 26, 2012). "Alberta political leaders fire opening election shots". Edmonton Journal. Archived from the original on March 30, 2012. Retrieved March 26, 2012.
  43. "Key Dates". Elections Alberta. Archived from the original on May 4, 2012. Retrieved March 28, 2012.
  44. Karen Kleiss; Keith Gerein (April 13, 2012). "Alberta Election 2012: Historic debate highlights vastly different plans for Alberta's future". Edmonton Journal. Archived from the original on April 14, 2012. Retrieved April 13, 2012.
  45. Ewart, Stephen (April 24, 2012). "Tories surge past Wildrose to extend 41-year political dynasty in Alberta". canada.com. Archived from the original on April 26, 2012. Retrieved April 25, 2012.
  46. Duncan, Zoey (April 24, 2012). "A PC majority in Alberta: The narrative the media missed". The Canadian Journalism Project. Archived from the original on April 26, 2012. Retrieved April 25, 2012.
  47. Trudeau, Juliette (2001). "Easter 5". Easter Sermon Series 2001. Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada. Archived from the original on April 27, 2015. Retrieved March 8, 2012.
  48. "Unofficial Poll Results - Alberta". Archived from the original on April 26, 2012. Retrieved 2012-04-24.

Bibliography


Share this article:

This article uses material from the Wikipedia article 2012_Alberta_General_Election, and is written by contributors. Text is available under a CC BY-SA 4.0 International License; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.