Inside the smaller parties’ struggles to get attention in the Alberta election

CALGARY (660 NEWS) – Many have described this Alberta election as a fight between Rachel Notley and the NDP versus Jason Kenney and the United Conservatives. Yet there are smaller parties that just aren’t getting the same kind of attention.

There are at least three ridings up for grabs according to a political scientist at Mount Royal University, Duane Bratt.

“David Khan is definitely competitive in (Calgary) Mountain View and could win that, the Liberal leader. Greg Clark is definitely competitive. He is the incumbent in Calgary-Elbow. He could win that for the Alberta Party. Let’s see what happens with Stephen Mandel, the former popular mayor of Edmonton running in Edmonton.”

Bratt argues there have been struggles for the smaller parties.

“In 2018, the UCP raised $6.6 million, the NDP was at $3.3 million and then the next highest party was around $350,000. That’s a huge gap.”

Only the Alberta Party has been able to put forward a full slate of candidates.

He contends the Alberta Party has had its own struggles trying to occupy the territory between the social issues with the United Conservatives and the economic policies of the New Democrats.

“It’s been tough. It has been very tough for them.”

If you look at the latest polling numbers, all of the parties outside of the New Democrats and United Conservatives combine for less than 10 per cent of the expected vote.

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