Leaders of Alberta’s four main political parties prepared to go toe to toe in a debate Thursday evening, but as it’s the first debate for all four, one political expert said some ‘rookie mistakes’ should be expected.
On Thursday evening, four leaders: Jim Prentice with the Progressive Conservative Party, Wildrose Party Leader Brian Jean, New Democratic Party Leader Rachel Notley and Liberal Leader David Swann, were set to debate – a meeting that could be a deciding moment for some Alberta voters.
“We’re going to see some rookie mistakes,” Bob Murray with the Frontier Centre for Public Policy said. “It’s not going to be all that exciting and there’s going to be a lot of nerves.”
Murray said the debate will be a chance for Notley to continue riding momentum her party has been building in recent days, especially in Edmonton.
Meanwhile, it will be an introduction of sorts for Jean – as he was only elected leader of his party in March.
For Swann, Murray said he’ll need to convince the electorate his party isn’t dead.
However, it’s believed the stakes may be highest for Prentice, who is looking to get the province behind his party – and on board with their budget and 10-year plan for Alberta.
Going into the debate, the most recent polls showed many voters aren’t sure which party they support.
“If we see Prentice blow it tonight, people are going to say ‘Why did you bring us to the polls if you’re flip flopping on your own policies as part of that ten year fiscal plan, and now you’re not that seasoned leader that we thought you were’,” Murray said. “It makes people incredibly skeptical.”
Taxes are expected to be discussed – Prentice expected to defend the hikes announced in the budget, while Jean expected to highlight his party’s no tax increase plan.
Both of those parties are expected to attack the NDP for their plans to increase taxes and the size of government.
Follow @CTVEdmonton for highlights of the debate.
With files from Breanna Karstens-Smith
