Wildrose and NDP are going back to school
Debate series coming to MRU; skips U of C
Nathan Ross
Web Editor
An unlikely partnership is teaming up to bring a series of debates to post-secondary institutions all across Alberta.
Danielle Smith and Brian Mason – leaders of the Wildrose and New Democratic Parties in Alberta, respectively – will be duking it out verbally this fall at six campuses. The first event is being held on Sept. 18 at the University of Alberta, and will run until Oct. 17 when the series closes shop here at Mount Royal.
The debates will focus on where Alberta will go in a post-Progressive Conservative era, as well as other provincial issues. The PC party has been in power for 42 years, and is less than one year away from having the longest unbroken run by any party ever in Canadian history.
During the 2011 election, it was thought that the Conservatives might not return to office as the Wildrose Party gave them a run for their money during the campaign period. Despite polls that suggested that Smith and the Wildrose might take office, Premier Alison Redford led the PC party to yet another majority. With all the hubbub that surrounded the election, the Conservatives only ended up losing five seats, holding 59 of the 87 available seats.
The Wildrose Party is the current opposition in the Legislative Assembly in Alberta, and the NDP hold the fourth most seats, sitting behind the Liberals.
After giving Alison Redford a run for her money in 2012, Danielle Smith seems to be hungry as ever to be the next Premier. Photo courtesy: Facebook
Despite the fact that the two parties sit on opposite ends of the political spectrum, Smith believes that it will make for a great debate. In a press release from the Wildrose Party, she said, “Our two parties have very different visions for how Alberta should be governed, but we both share a conviction that this province can be better. Wildrose believes Albertans are looking for a government that respects tax dollars, eliminates waste and mismanagement, and focuses on delivering good public services.”
The Policy Studies Students’ Society will be hosting the debate, which begins at 7 p.m., and will be free to students.
