The Central Challenge of a Conservative Leader in Canada

This week on “It’s Political” we check in on the Alberta election. NDP Leader Rachel Notley and UCP Leader Danielle Smith are in a hotly contested race and there’s lots at stake for Albertans and all Canadians. 

First, Toronto Star reporter Kieran Leavitt brings us a report from Lethbridge, in a riding the NDP needs to win if it is to form government. Then, we’ll hear from Abacus Data’s David Coletto and from pollster Janet Brown about their competing polls and what they tell us about the state of the race in Alberta. Finally, we’ll sit down with experienced conservative adviser Ken Bossenkool, from Meredith Boessenkool Policy Advisors, Graham Thomson, a long-time columnist in Alberta, and Lisa Young, political science professor at the University of Calgary, to talk about Thursday’s debate and why this election is important. 

Clips this week were sourced from CPAC, Rachel Notley’s YouTube channel, The U.C.P.’s YouTube channel, Danielle Smith’s Twitter page, CBC, and CTV 

This episode of “It’s Political” was produced by Althia Raj. Kevin Sexton mixed the program. Our theme music is by Isaac Joel.