CALGARY -- With the Alberta election campaign in its final days, NDP Leader Rachel Notley launched another attack on the integrity of the United Conservative's Jason Kenney at a raucous rally in Calgary. Kenney, a former federal Conservative cabinet minister, is Notley's main rival in Tuesday's vote. "We've made sure Albertans know exactly who Jason Kenney is and we've made sure they know the risk that he presents to Calgary because those risks are real," Notley said Saturday to about 400 screaming supporters as many chanted "four more years" during her speech. Notley has pledged that if she's re-elected premier, she would offer an honest, scandal-free government that would diversify the economy, build a pipeline and defend public services. In addition to revelations of racist and homophobic remarks by UCP candidates in open nomination contests and during the campaign, the party is also under investigation by elections officials and the RCMP into the leadership race that delivered Kenney to victory in 2017. Earlier this week, RCMP searched an auto-repair shop owned by Calgary UCP candidate Peter Singh. Mounties seized a computer hard drive, other electronic devices and a suitcase but have not released the nature of the investigation or who is being investigated. The UCP issued a statement saying the RCMP had not contacted the party or Singh regarding the investigation but had been in contact with Singh's son. Singh also said in a statement that he has done nothing wrong and accused political opponents of undermining his campaign and his party. Notley said Saturday that Kenney should have removed Singh from the party. "It is quite striking and shocking to me that Mr. Singh is still a candidate for the UCP," Notley said. "We should not be voting for people who are under active criminal investigation and it is clear that is what is going on now." Notley told reporters she knows the campaign has been negative but isn't apologizing for it. "These are things that people need to know about. I wish it wasn't so negative but at the end of the day I think these are things that people need to consider," she said. Calgary is considered a battleground in the election and the NDP took out a front page ad in a major newspaper on the weekend showing an unflattering photo of the UCP leader with the headline: "Jason Kenney is TOO RISKY for Calgary." The NDP isn't without controversy. Two members of Notley's caucus have been accused of inappropriate behaviour since 2015 and, following independent investigations and the adoption of recommendations, the names of the politicians were not made public to protect the privacy of the complainants. Notley was asked Saturday whether the two MLAs are running again in the election. "I can't answer that," she replied. Kenney spoke Saturday at rally at an oil services company in Valleyview, northwest of Edmonton. He didn't mention the RCMP's search of Singh's business. Instead, he repeated his pledge to call a public inquiry into foreign-funded anti-oilsands campaigns and promised those in the cheering crowd that had moved to Alberta for work that he would fight for more jobs. "You're Albertans by choice and not chance. You or your parents came here to pursue opportunity," Kenney said. "We need the ability to be that beacon of opportunity for generations to come. We need to stand up without apology to fight for this province, to fight for our resources, to fight for jobs and, in so doing, fight for Canada and for an Alberta that is strong and free."<doc-sep>Open this photo in gallery Alberta NDP Leader Rachel Notley visits an oil and gas pipe fabrication plant in Calgary, Alta., on April 15, 2019. Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press NDP Leader Rachel Notley and UCP Leader Jason Kenney spent the final day of the Alberta election campaign declaring themselves the best advocate to jump-start stalled pipelines, leaving voters with a choice between two starkly different approaches to the province’s economy and the rest of the country. Tuesday’s election will determine whether Alberta stays the course with Ms. Notley’s cautious tack of the past four years to build consensus on the Trans Mountain pipeline, or Mr. Kenney’s promise to attack anyone he perceives as standing in the way – a list that includes Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, the premiers of B.C. and Quebec, environmentalists and others. Record turnout at advance polls has suggested high enthusiasm in the province, but delays in counting more than 200,000 ballots could also leave the ultimate outcome in doubt for days if the results are close. For Mr. Kenney, the final stretch of the campaign was also complicated by an RCMP raid involving one of his candidates. Story continues below advertisement Mr. Kenney is widely viewed as the front-runner, with a Globe and Mail poll released on the weekend adding to a list of survey results that have given the United Conservative Party a comfortable lead over the New Democrats. The Alberta Party is hoping for a breakthrough, while the Alberta Liberals are seeking a seat for the party’s new leader. Mr. Kenney spent Monday campaigning in the Edmonton area, where his party believes it can pick up seats in traditionally NDP ridings. He arrived in his blue pickup truck to greet about 50 people gathered at the constituency office in a strip mall and delivered what has become a standard stump speech, promising to get pipelines on track while targeting the “Trudeau-Notley alliance.” “We must have leadership that will stand up with strength and clarity to defend jobs and our vital economic interests,” Mr. Kenney said. Open this photo in gallery United Conservative Party leader Jason Kenney speaks at a rally before the election, in St. Albert, Alta., on April 15, 2019. JASON FRANSON/The Canadian Press Mr. Kenney plans to sue Ottawa over the federal carbon tax and environmental legislation; threaten to cut off oil shipments to B.C. ; hold a referendum on equalization; and challenge the charitable status of environmental groups. His plan also includes corporate tax cuts and a spending freeze to end years of deficit spending while also promising improvements to health care and education Ms. Notley, who donned a hard hat for her final news conference of the campaign at a pipe fabrication yard in Calgary, said her pipeline strategy has worked and the Trans Mountain expansion is within sight. She warned Mr. Kenney would reverse that progress. She took specific aim at Mr. Kenney’s promise to cancel the NDP government’s oil-by-rail program, which would see the province lease rail cars to ship crude, and his renewed threats to cut off oil shipments to B.C. “I must say that Mr Kenney’s plan on the pipeline worries me, and I think it should worry everyone,” Ms. Notley said. “Some of the rhetoric that we’re hearing from him actually puts the pipeline at risk.” Ms. Notley has promised to continue adding new spending to social programs while taking a measured approach to deficits that would balance the budget a year later than Mr. Kenney’s plan. The NDP’s “path to balance” relies heavily on oil revenues rebounding. Story continues below advertisement Ms. Notley also brought up the involvement of the province’s election commissioner and the RCMP after allegations related to the UCP leadership race in 2017. “As voters consider their decision tomorrow, I ask again: Who do you trust to fight for you?” The latest cloud over Mr. Kenney’s party came last Thursday, when the RCMP executed a search warrant at a business owned by Peter Singh, the UCP candidate in Calgary-East. Neither the RCMP nor the party provided any details about what prompted the search. Mr. Kenney said he had not reached out to Mr. Singh, although he said his campaign staff had been in touch. Mr. Kenney said Mr. Singh had not been contacted by police, but that his son had. “I’ve learned nothing more than what I’ve read in the media,” Mr. Kenney said. “And as far as I know, he’s not been accused of anything.” Mr. Singh previously issued a statement that confirmed police seized several items that were later returned. His campaign said he would not be speaking publicly until after the election. Story continues below advertisement RCMP spokesman Fraser Logan confirmed the search, but declined to provide any details. Documents related to the search warrant have been sealed. The RCMP and the province’s election commissioner are both looking into donations to one of Mr. Kenney’s rivals. Separately, a former UCP MLA, Prab Gill, wrote a letter to the RCMP with allegations that Mr. Kenney’s team used fake e-mails in the leadership vote. Mr. Kenney has denied any wrongdoing and has threatened to sue Mr. Gill. With a report from Jana G. Pruden in Edmonton<doc-sep>Jason Kenney has capped his three-year goal of uniting Alberta's political right, leading his United Conservative Party to a majority election win over the province's first NDP government. "Today Albertans have chosen hope over fear, and unity over division," a jubilant Kenney told supporters in Calgary on Tuesday night. "They have chosen free enterprise values over the politics of resentment. "Friends, tonight the silent majority has spoken." Created in 2017 through a merger of the Wildrose and Progressive Conservative parties, the UCP is projected to win or be leading 63 of 87 seats. Equalization, pipelines in Kenney's sights In his victory speech, Kenney vowed to get a "fair deal" with Ottawa on equalization payments and to fight other provinces and the federal government for pipelines. He also promised to combat "foreign-funded special interests" such as the Tides Foundation and the David Suzuki Foundation, which he accused of leading "a campaign of economic sabotage" against Alberta. "Your days of pushing around Albertans with impunity just ended," Kenney said as the crowd roared and chanted his name. 'Your days of pushing around Albertans with impunity just ended.' CBC News Calgary 0:59 'Your days of pushing around Albertans with impunity just ended.' 0:59 Kenney thanked Rachel Notley for her "tremendous public service." Kenney told the people who did not vote for the UCP that he respects and honours their choice. "We will strive to be a government for all Albertans, not just those who voted for us," he said. Notley to lead Official Opposition Notley's NDP is projected to be elected or leading in 24 seats, down from 52, and will become Alberta's Official Opposition. The majority of NDP support was concentrated in Notley's home base of Edmonton. The Alberta Party and the Alberta Liberals were both shut out, electing none of their candidates. The Alberta Party had three seats in the last legislature; the Liberals had one. NDP Leader Rachel Notley and her husband Lou Arab leave after giving a concession speech in Edmonton on Tuesday. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press) Notley confirmed she intends to carry on and lead the Official Opposition. "It has been an incredible honour to serve as a premier, and it will be an honour to serve as leader of Her Majesty's loyal opposition," Notley told supporters in Edmonton. Notley committed to fighting for social issues, such as moving more children out of poverty. She also vowed that the NDP will stand up to bigotry and support the rights of LGBTQ Albertans. "Know you will always have a champion in me and in the Alberta NDP and a champion in the Opposition." Notley thanks supporters, says NDP worked for 'lasting change' CBC News 1:08 After loss in Alberta, Notley says the NDP made 'tremendous progress' in a challenging time. 1:08 The NDP lost most of the seats it won in rural areas in 2015. Several cabinet ministers went down to defeat, including Energy Minister Marg McCuaig-Boyd in Central Peace-Notley, Children's Services Minister Danielle Larivee in Lesser Slave Lake, and Shaye Anderson in Leduc-Beaumont. In Calgary, the UCP was elected or leading in 23 of 26 ridings. The NDP won three seats in Calgary: Kathleen Ganley in Calgary-Mountain View, Irfan Sabir in Calgary-McCall, and Joe Ceci in Calgary-Buffalo. Shannon Phillips was leading by fewer than 400 votes in Lethbridge-West. Kenney, who was a cabinet minister in Stephen Harper's Conservative government, won the leadership of the Alberta Progressive Conservative party in 2016 before leading the PCs into a successful 2017 merger with the Wildrose Party. That same year, he won the UCP leadership handily in a contest later marred by controversy. Liberals, Alberta Party shut out The election was a disappointment for the Alberta Party and the Liberal Party. Liberal Leader David Khan lost in Calgary-Mountain View, the party's only seat in the legislature. "The political pendulum has swung away from moderate, progressive politics toward a more conservative position," Khan said. "That is the will of the people." Alberta Liberal Party Leader David Khan lost in Calgary-Mountain View, the party's only seat in the legislature. (CBC) In his concession speech, Khan urged Kenney to remove UCP members who have expressed intolerant views. "With your victory comes great responsibility. You will be the premier for all Albertans. This includes the vulnerable, those with special needs and the LGBTQ2S+ community," he said. "Do not abuse your authority. Be fair and inclusive in your decisions." WATCH | See what all 4 leaders had to say to supporters after Tuesday's election Alberta's four major party leaders speak on election night CBC News Calgary 1:27 Alberta's four major party leaders speak on election night 1:27 Alberta Party Leader Stephen Mandel finished third in Edmonton-McClung. Greg Clark, the party's former leader, lost his seat in Calgary-Elbow to Doug Schweitzer of the UCP. Despite the loss, Mandel said he was optimistic about the future of the Alberta Party. "I really believe, deeply, this is the party of the future in this province," Mandel told supporters. "When people get away from polarization and start looking at what a party can be, and what our province can be, hopefully, they will begin to look in a different way and see that the Alberta Party is the answer." About 500 Calgarians attend a pro-pipeline rally on Monday, one day before Alberta's election delivered a majority government to the United Conservative Party. (Mike Symington/CBC) The premier-designate will take office with a cloud of allegations from the UCP leadership race of 2017 hanging over his head Last week, CBC News revealed fraudulent emails were used to cast ballots for Kenney, and that the matter has come to the attention of the RCMP who have interviewed at least one person whose name was attached to a fake email address. Kenney has defended the voting process used during the party's internal campaign. Peter Singh, who was elected for the UCP in Calgary-East, had his business searched by the RCMP on Thursday. His lawyer confirmed the search warrant was executed in connection to allegations of voter fraud during the leadership campaign. WATCH | Jason Kenney's full victory speech<doc-sep>Share this Story: Voters head to polls in Alberta election as Kenney, Notley await public's verdict Voters head to polls in Alberta election as Kenney, Notley await public's verdict Notley will either be the first Alberta NDP premier to win re-election, or the first leader in the province to fail to win a renewed mandate on the first try Photo by THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson Article content EDMONTON — Voters are heading to the polls in the Alberta election today and advance turnouts suggest it could be busy at the ballot boxes. Almost 700,000 people voted early in malls, airports, recreation centres, public buildings and an Ikea store. That was well ahead of the 235,000 who came out early in the 2015 election that saw Rachel Notley’s NDP deliver a surprise to the 44-year run of the Progressive Conservatives. We apologize, but this video has failed to load. tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or Voters head to polls in Alberta election as Kenney, Notley await public's verdict Back to video This time around, the Progressive Conservatives are no more. The PCs merged with another right-centre party, the Wildrose, to create the new United Conservatives under former federal cabinet minister Jason Kenney. Polls opened at 9 a.m. Tuesday and Notley walked to her polling place with her family in Edmonton around 10:30 a.m. Both of her children were voting in their first provincial election. “Voted,” said Ethan Notley, 20, as his mom filled out her ballot. She then looked up as her 18-year-old daughter walked by to cast her vote. Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content “It’s her first time, too,” Rachel Notley told reporters, before walking over to put her vote in the ballot box. “Here we go. It’s going, it’s going, it’s gone. “Can’t change my mind now,” she added with a laugh. Later Tuesday, Kenney was scheduled to make appearances in Red Deer, Alta., and Calgary. The UCP leader already voted in the advance polls. Photo by Todd Korol/Bloomberg The four-week campaign focused on personal attacks and on Alberta’s fragile economy, which has been struggling with sluggish oil prices and unemployment levels above seven per cent in Calgary and Edmonton. Kenney has argued that Notley’s government has made a bad situation worse with higher taxes, more regulations and increases in minimum wage. Notley, in turn, has said Kenney’s plan to freeze spending and pursue more private-care options in health would have a profound affect on students and patients. Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content Kenney has campaigned on the “Trudeau-Notley alliance” that he says has turned Alberta into a doormat for Trudeau and other oil industry foes with an as yet unrealized promise of one pipeline expansion to the coast. Ontario Premier Doug Ford, whose province is one of three challenging the federal carbon tax, told reporters Tuesday that he hopes Kenney wins the election. “Hopefully today we’ll have another partner with my good friend Jason Kenney,” he said. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was asked in Kitchener, Ont., whether he was concerned about his climate plan should Kenney win. “We have chosen to put a price on pollution right across the country and there are conservative politicians who are using taxpayer money to fight a price on pollution in court,” he responded. “They are using your dollars to try to make pollution free again, which makes no sense. Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content Trudeau said the federal government would continue to work on growing the economy, while tackling climate change. During the campaign, Notley tried to make Kenney’s character an issue. A number of his candidates have either quit or apologized for past comments that were anti-LGBTQ, anti-Islamic or sympathetic to white nationalism. Kenney has called the attacks a “fear-and-smear” red herring to distract from the NDP’s economic track record of multibillion-dollar budget deficits and soaring debt. On the political fringes are the Alberta Party and the Liberals, each of which elected one candidate to the legislature in 2015. The Alberta Party, led by former Edmonton mayor Stephen Mandel, is running a full slate of candidates. It’s promising to be the safe centrist by combining the economic conservatism of the UCP with the social progressivism of the NDP. The Liberals, led by lawyer David Khan, are running a similar platform with one significant exception — a provincial sales tax. History will be made no matter what. Notley will either be the first Alberta NDP premier to win re-election or the first leader in the province to fail to win a renewed mandate on the first try. Share this article in your social network Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Shopping essentials Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. NP Posted Sign up to receive the daily top stories from the National Post, a division of Postmedia Network Inc. Email Address There was an error, please provide a valid email address. By clicking on the sign up button you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. You may unsubscribe any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link at the bottom of our emails. Postmedia Network Inc. | 365 Bloor Street East, Toronto, Ontario, M4W 3L4 | 416-383-2300 Thanks for signing up! A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it please check your junk folder. The next issue of NP Posted will soon be in your inbox. We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again Trending<doc-sep>
Share this Story: 'Today we begin to fight back': Jason Kenney's UCP wins majority in Alberta election 'Today we begin to fight back': Jason Kenney's UCP wins majority in Alberta election It was not a close call: Within 45 minutes after polls closed, it was clear Kenney would defeat Rachel Notley and the NDP Photo by Jim Wells / Postmedia Article content It was not a close call. Despite all the hand-wringing, all the reminders that the polls had gotten it wrong in Alberta before, in the end the province’s election unfolded precisely as expected: Jason Kenney’s United Conservative Party won, handily. Just after 4 a.m. MT Wednesday, the UCP led or had been elected in 63 of the province’s 87 ridings, with the NDP, diminished to opposition status after their single term in government, leading or elected in the remaining 24. The NDP looked set to hold nearly all of Edmonton, with the UCP sweeping much of the rest of the province. We apologize, but this video has failed to load. tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or 'Today we begin to fight back': Jason Kenney's UCP wins majority in Alberta election Back to video Kenney entered UCP headquarters at Calgary’s Stampede Grounds Tuesday night in the blue pickup truck he made famous on the campaign trail. As a “build that pipe” chant went up in the room, the UCP leader stopped the crowd to correct them. It’s not just one pipeline we need, it’s several, he said. “It’s build those pipes,” said Kenney. Article content “Today, we Albertans begin to fight back.” Photo by Al Charest / Postmedia Kenney’s victory marked the culmination of a years-long plan. The former Conservative cabinet minister left his seat in Ottawa in 2016 — after holding it for nearly two decades — with hopes of uniting Alberta’s fractured provincial conservative movement. The 2015 election saw the Progressive Conservatives, who had governed the province since 1971, hobbled by a split with the breakaway Wildrose Party. Vote-splitting between the two right-wing parties allowed Notley’s New Democrats to take power for the first time in the province’s history. “As proud of I am of our record, the fact is the people of Alberta have spoken,” Notley, fighting a cold, told supporters at NDP headquarters on Tuesday night. It was a fiery concession speech, with Notley, who retained her seat, vowing to assume the role of opposition leader and “make sure that our vision of Alberta endures.” Article content “I believe we have set a much higher standard for ethics and honesty in government.” Photo by David Bloom / Postmedia She could barely get the opening bits of her speech out through the cheering and chants of “Rachel! Rachel! Rachel!” She thanked the “over-caffeinated, under-showered and overworked” campaign staff and volunteers. The rollicking 28-day campaign in Alberta saw sustained attacks on Kenney’s character, as the NDP unearthed and released controversial comments he made on LGBTQ rights. Kenney insisted it was simply a “fear and smear” campaign, meant to distract from the NDP’s economic record. “It was horrible,” said Dan Rose, a voter in Edmonton, told the Edmonton Journal. “I can’t think of a worse, more negative, more caustic campaign in my time. It was just awful.” Article content Photo by Darren Makowichuk / Postmedia More On This Topic Kevin Libin: On election day, Alberta confronts the betrayal that Notley made possible As Alberta election campaign winds down, Notley stays upbeat while Kenney campaigns deep in NDP territory Colby Cosh: With advance polling, prepare for extra suspense in Alberta's election The economy has long been top of mind in the province. Since 2016, when the bottom fell out of the international oil market, Alberta has been in a prolonged recession; recovery, economists say, has stalled coming into 2019, with unemployment hovering around seven per cent. Kenney argued Notley’s government made a bad situation worse with higher taxes, more regulations and increases in minimum wage. Notley, in turn, said Kenney’s plan to freeze spending and pursue more private healthcare options would have a profound effect on students and patients. Article content Sarah Hoffman, the former NDP health minister who held onto her seat in Edmonton, had tears in her eyes as she told reporters she was excited, despite it not being the outcome they’d wanted. “Honestly, it’s just so nice to see all the people who had your back,” Hoffman said.