What will it take to get a 3rd-party MLA in Alberta? Probably a breakup, consultant says
It's no surprise Alberta's election was a two-horse race, but the rate at which every other party stumbled out of the gate is something not seen in the province in more than 100 years.
The UCP or NDP were selected on nearly 97 per cent of all Alberta ballots, according to unofficial results the day after the vote.
The Green Party was sitting third with just 0.8 per cent of popular support, the lowest total for a third-party percentage in the province's history.
A major factor was the party only ran candidates in 41 of 87 ridings and the UCP and NDP were the only ones with a full slate.
After earning nearly 172,000 to finish third in the 2019 vote, the Alberta Party, which last won a seat in 2015 was expected to finish with less than 13,000 votes in 2023.
"That doesn't surprise me, because once you're out of the house, when you're no longer in the legislature, you don't have a platform," said Tom Vernon, communications strategist and former politics reporter.
"That makes it very difficult to fundraise. And if you can't fundraise, you can't advertise, you have a hard time sharing your message."
The first-ever vote in Alberta was in 1905 when "others and independents" combined for five per cent of the vote. In the past 50 years or so, third-party support has ranged between eight and 26 per cent.
On Monday, zero candidates not representing the UCP or NDP were even close to winning.
Alberta Party Leader Barry Morishita grabbed just six per cent of the vote, while Green Party Leader Jordan Wilkie and Liberal Leader John Roggeveen failed to crack five per cent.
On the right side of the spectrum, Solidarity Leader Artur Pawlowski managed just 0.4 per cent, Wildrose Coalition Leader Paul Hinman grabbed five per pent and Wildrose Independence Leader Jeevan Mangat finished with one per cent.
'DISAPPOINTED, FOR SURE'
Alberta Party candidate Sue Timanson tallied 1,293 votes, the highest total of anyone not representing the two big parties. Still, she was almost 12,000 short of victory in Sherwood Park.
"I'm disappointed, for sure. But you know what, I feel proud. My job is to make sure people know that they had a third choice, that they had an option," Timanson told CTV News Edmonton.
"And ultimately, it's up to the voters to get in the booth and colour the right circle."
Timanson believes most Albertans voted out of "fear of the other guy" with the NDP and UCP both campaigning hard against each other's leader.
She spent countless hours knocking on at least 85 per cent of the doors in her riding. Timanson did it because she feels Alberta desperately needs another voice in the legislature.
"Will I be the candidate next time? I don't know the answer to that. It's really difficult. You kinda put your life on hold," she said. Timanson also ran in 2019, grabbing 3,509 votes.
"But do I believe in the need for the Alberta Party and a third choice? I believe passionately about that. So I can't give up on that part of it, at all."
'A HARD TIME STAYING TOGETHER'
Alberta Party officials had discussions with other parties about merging to beef up support before the vote, Timanson said, but explained it's difficult to make that happen when remaining supporters are set in their ways and traditions.
Vernon believes the chances of any party without a seat breaking through in Alberta is very small.
He said it's more likely that a third party becomes a legitimate option when an elected MLA splits off and either joins a small party or starts something new entirely.
"Conservative parties in Alberta tend to have a hard time staying together. They'll come together but they have a hard time staying together," he said.
"Maybe it's the rural base or the more progressive base of the party wanting to have another choice on the ballot because the party currently in power doesn't match with their values."
The UCP was expected to win 49 seats in the Alberta election, with one candidate already told she will not sit with the party.
Elections Alberta said official results will be released on June 8.
Correction
A previous version of this story said the Alberta Party finished third in the 2023 Alberta election, but it was the Green Party, according to unofficial results on Tuesday. We apologize for the error.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their “extremely dangerous” experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
Half of Canadians have negative opinion of latest Liberal budget: poll
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
Teacher shortages see some Ontario high school students awarded perfect grades on midterm exams
Students at a high school in York Region have been awarded perfect marks on their midterm exams in three subjects – not because of their academic performances however, but because they had no teacher.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
An Ontario senior thought he called Geek Squad for help with his printer. Instead, he got scammed out of $25,000
An Ontario senior’s attempt to get technical help online led him into a spoofing scam where he lost $25,000. Now, he’s sharing his story to warn others.
Her fiance has been in prison for 49 years. She's trying to free him before it’s too late
She was lying in bed on a Thursday morning, thinking about the man she loved, hoping to win his freedom before time ran out.