Along a quiet street in Pincher Creek there’s a spattering of houses with bright orange signs that contrast the surrounding sea of blue.
Juneva Green was running errands when her husband stepped the NDP banner into their lawn.
“When I came back and he’d gotten the sign up I said, ‘Gee, Jim, the neighbours are going to think we’re communists,” she said laughing.
The Greens live in Livingstone-Macleod — a riding the NDP hasn’t won since 1966 but that houses pockets of progressive voters.
The election has broadly been a neck-and-neck race. But the NDP aren’t competitive in much of rural Alberta.
The UCP is at 65 per cent support and the NDP at 31 per cent outside Edmonton and Calgary, per polling aggregator 338 Canada. Seat projections show them as serious challengers in only a handful of the 41 ridings outside the two major cities.
The UCP’s greatest concentrations of strength continue to be in those constituencies, of which they currently hold 39.
The fewer small city and rural seats the NDP wins, the harder its path to victory. If the NDP forms the next government, it’s poised to do so largely without rural representation.
Juneva Green, a voter in Livingstone-Macleod, says there’s more support for the NDP in her community in this election than she’s seen in past years. (Elise von Scheel/CBC)
Lately, it’s been lonely to vote progressive in small town Alberta or be a conservative supporter in NDP-held Edmonton. CBC News is featuring stories from both those groups of voters during this election.
“In the last election, we put up NDP signs on both sides of the house and realized we’re the only ones with signs,” said Sharron Toews, a resident of Nanton who has voted across the political spectrum.
Progressive voters in places like Nanton, Claresholm and the Crowsnest Pass would quietly vote for their parties in the past, but the support is more visible this time. It’s the first election in decades where Alberta has solidified into a competitive two-party system.
“We’ve been a conservative-reigned province for many years … I think maybe people are looking for more options.”
This year, orange dots a dozen lawns on Toews’s small street.
Sharron Toews, a voter in Nanton, says in the last election she was the only house on the street with an NDP lawn sign. (Elise von Scheel/CBC)
“The fact that we are in a two-party system where opposition to the conservatives has largely coalesced around the NDP, that’s a really big deal,” said Clark Banack, the director of the Alberta Centre for Sustainable Rural Communities at the University of Alberta.
He added that political cultures in small towns have shifted in the last 20 years as government dollars pool in cities and rural residents are confronted with the changing nature of living and livelihoods outside of urban centres.
“Is it going to flip 10 seats? No, I don’t think so. Are there going to be a few races that are far closer than we would have ever seen 10, 15, 20 years ago? Absolutely.”
Tory blue, all the way through
“Other” Alberta, as pollsters sometimes call the areas outside the two metropolises, hasn’t been reliable for the NDP. In 2019, the party had only 23 per cent of the 927,000 votes cast in “otherland.”
Livingstone-Macleod elected a UCP MLA in 2019 with more than 70 per cent of the vote to the NDP’s 21 per cent. It’s a stronghold of conservative support and home base for UCP Leader Danielle Smith (the constituency was also her first choice to get a seat in the legislature last fall).
Just under 50,000 people live in the riding, where people over 45 make up the majority. The riding is a patchwork of ranchers, farmers, health-care workers, energy sector employees, retirees and young families.
“People have this sense that rural Alberta is all one thing. People think it’s Tory blue all the way through,” said Kevin Van Tighem, the NDP candidate in Livingstone-Macleod.
“And a lot of people are concerned about the same things they’re worried about everywhere else in the province.”
He’s facing a well-known rookie UCP challenger, Chelsae Petrovic. Each has encountered controversy: Petrovic proactively apologized for yet-to-be-released social media posts and Van Tighem had to clarify a comparison he made between the oil and gas sector’s impact on the environment and slavery.
Those 41 seats also include places like Red Deer and Lethbridge, which are more of a toss up. And the issues across the province are consistent: Health care and the cost of living are just as much of a preoccupation outside the cities as they are in them.
Kevin Van Tighem is the NDP candidate in Livingstone-Macleod, a riding the UCP won by 50 points in 2019. (Elise von Scheel/CBC)
“The small scale family farm has really withered away thanks to kind of broader economic shifts. Same with other industries that tended to be rural have been kind of corporatized to a degree,” Banack said.
“This has kind of created a bit of an opening for new forms of rural identity to kind of sprout out.”
In the Crowsnest Pass, longtime residents say the demographics have shifted in the last five years. Younger families have moved into communities like Bellevue and Blairmore. An uptick in mountain biking has brought people with environmental leanings to the region. A vibrant arts and tourism scene has emerged.
The NDP campaign is aiming for some gains outside the cities. Five rural seats would be the goal, flipping 10 would be the ceiling.
Don’t expect to see the majority of efforts focused in rural areas, a senior strategist said, but do expect the NDP to “take a few nibbles of their territory here and there.”
Van Tighem is trying to defy the odds and be one of the 10, using a perhaps counterintuitive strategy. He’s asking “light” blue conservatives to — just this once — put the UCP in the penalty box for four years and loan the NDP their vote.
“We’ve got a lot of the same beliefs except we drive on gravel roads, we’ve got longer driveways and we have far more grass to cut,” Karen Shaw said. She was raised in a conservative family, ranching in the northern half of Alberta. She’s now the NDP’s candidate in Morinville-St. Albert.
Shaw’s riding is a tighter race but still a bit of a toss up, polling aggregates say. The orange wave that swept the NDP to power in 2015 included a win in that region. No such luck four years later, in the 2019 election. She’s working to convince undecided voters the NDP should get another shot at government.
The candidates running in Livingstone-Macleod participated in a forum in Claresholm on May 15. (Elise von Scheel/CBC)
Orange is the new blue?
The UCP is working to convey the opposite.
“There is nothing conservative or moderate about the NDP or its leader,” Edmonton-South West candidate Kaycee Madu wrote.
The party notes Notley’s record on economic issues, and Smith has poked at her attempt to appeal to more voters.
“She wants to portray herself as some kind of progressive conservative. She’s even wearing blue these days, you may have noticed,” the UCP leader said.
Jean Pultz voted NDP for the first time in 2019, and while she may not be a lifetime convert to the centre-left of the spectrum, she says Alberta needs to give something different a try.
“I think people are fed up.”
Pultz says she’s taking a chance on the NDP again but is skeptical of the party’s ability to deliver on its promises.
“Are they going to carry through once they get in? I don’t know.”
That hesitation voters may have on both major parties is what the Alberta Party would like to capitalize on.
“There’s the true and true blue that are going to vote blue no matter what,” said Kevin Todd, the candidate in Livingstone-Macleod.
“And I want them to just go for better representation.”
Ridings like Banff-Kananaskis, the two Lethbridge seats and Edmonton’s more rural ‘doughnut’ constituencies are opportunities for the NDP, but the odds don’t favour them for most of these 41 otherlands.
That isn’t much of a deterrent for some of these progressive voters.
“Every vote counts, my vote is just as important as anyone else’s,” said Tahvo Laukkanen, an NDP supporter in Grand Prairie.
EDMONTON – Canada’s Employment Minister Randy Boissonnault is apologizing after shifting claims about his Indigenous identity came under scrutiny.
The Liberal member of Parliament said at an unrelated announcement in Edmonton on Friday that he’s sorry he wasn’t as clear as he could have been “with everything that I know now.”
“I apologize that I wasn’t as clear as I could have been about who I am and my family’s history,” he said, adding that he’s still learning about his family’s heritage “in real time.”
Boissonnault has previously referred to himself as “non-status adopted Cree” and said his great-grandmother was a “full-blooded Cree woman.”
He said Friday he’ll have to confirm his great-grandmother’s status, but his mother and brother are citizens of the Métis Nation of Alberta.
“I apologize if that particular way of referring to myself — I apologize that it was inaccurate.”
It comes after the National Post reported that a company co-owned by Boissonnault unsuccessfully bid on two federal contracts in 2020 while identifying itself as Indigenous and Aboriginal-owned.
The government has pledged to award five per cent of its procurement contracts to Indigenous-owned businesses.
Since that story’s publication last week, Boissonnault has said the family he was adopted into has Indigenous ancestry and his adopted mother and brother are status Métis.
Boissonnault said Friday he never claimed any Indigenous status to his business partner, Stephen Anderson.
“Mr. Anderson should never have claimed that on the particular contract application, and no contract was awarded,” he said.
Boissonnault has previously sat as a member of the Liberal Indigenous Caucus, but he said he joined it as an ally representing many Indigenous people in his community.
When asked about the Liberals’ past claims about his Indigenous identity, he said he corrected the party and asked for the descriptions to be changed as soon as he became aware.
“I never asked the party to refer to me as an Indigenous person. I never clicked any box in any form with the Liberal party. I have never put (an) Indigenous claim to any contract or any application in my entire life,” he said.
The Conservative party has said it wants Boissonnault to testify before the ethics committee so he can “answer truthfully for these serious allegations of fraud.”
“This is even more urgent given the new allegations that his company fraudulently claimed to be Indigenous-owned while applying for government contracts,” said Conservative MP Michael Barrett.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 15, 2024.
The Internet’s most powerful ability is its propensity to spread. This holiday season, amidst the hustle of shopping, party planning, and reflections, let’s use this power to spread joy and generosity. This December, I invite you to transform your social media feeds into a canvas of goodwill, reminding your followers and communities that even small acts of kindness can create waves of joy and inspiration.
Before you dive into creating festive holiday content, it’s crucial to set the stage by updating the aesthetics of your social media profiles to mirror the holiday season. Using Canva (www.canva.com), refresh your banner/cover photo on Facebook, X/Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc. with holiday-themed images. Change your profile picture to one that captures the festive spirit, such as wearing a Santa hat, standing next to a Christmas tree, or under Christmas lights, or wearing a Christmas sweater.
Once your social media profiles reflect your festive mood, consider the following suggestions to inspire others to get into the holiday spirit.
The 12 Days of Kindness Challenge
The English Christmas carol, “The 12 Days of Christmas,” inspired this suggestion, a “12 Days of Kindness” challenge. Starting 12 days before Christmas, or whenever you want, commit to doing one act of kindness daily. It could be paying for someone’s coffee, leaving a heartfelt note for a neighbour, donating to a local charity, or dropping off baked goods at a senior home. Post pictures of each act on your social media channels with the hashtag #12DaysOfKindness. Encourage your followers and tag your friends to do the same, thereby creating a chain reaction of goodwill that spreads far beyond your immediate circle.
Support Local Charities with a Virtual Fundraiser
Use your social media clout to raise money for a local charity by hosting a virtual fundraiser. Invite your followers and friends to join you in a fun activity, like a virtual trivia night or bake-off. Promote donations to a charity of your choice and share updates on the progress. In addition to building community spirit, promoting local causes demonstrates the power of collective action.
Random Acts of Kindness Bingo
Create a bingo card, which you can use Canva to create, filled with random acts of kindness, such as “compliment a stranger,” “donate clothes,” or “help a neighbour.” Once created, post the card on your social media and invite others to join you in completing the challenges throughout the month. As you check off your squares, share photos or stories of your experiences, tagging friends and followers to keep the momentum going. The visual aspect of a bingo card makes it fun and engaging, encouraging participation.
Gratitude and Kindness Posts
Incorporate gratitude into your kindness initiatives by encouraging your followers to share posts about something they’re thankful for and how they plan to pay it forward. Use a specific hashtag, like #ThankfulAndKind, to unify these posts. As people share their gratitude and commitment to kindness, you’ll create a powerful positivity narrative that inspires others to reflect on their lives and actions.
Acts of Kindness Story Swap
Engage your audience by hosting a ‘kindness story swap.’ Invite your followers to share their stories of kindness—either acts they’ve done or experiences they’ve had. Create a specific day for these stories and use a designated hashtag like #KindnessSwap. By facilitating the sharing of stories and uplifting your followers, you’ll be connecting people and building a sense of community, which is what social media should be used for.
Kindness Challenge Videos
Challenge your followers to create short videos showcasing their acts of kindness. This could include anything from helping a neighbour with groceries to volunteering at a local shelter. Encourage them to tag you and others in their posts using a hashtag like #KindnessChallenge. Sharing video content is an effective way to spread your message while inspiring others to get involved.
Holiday Cards for Seniors
During the holidays, seniors living in retirement homes often feel isolated. Initiate a “Holiday Cards for Seniors” campaign by encouraging your followers to create and send handmade holiday cards to local retirement homes. List several local retirement homes on your social media and encourage your followers to share photos of their card-making. This simple act will not only brighten someone’s day but also foster cross-generational connections.
Kindness knows no boundaries. In addition to spreading joy, social media offers a powerful tool to foster community and encourage acts of kindness. No matter how small, each act of kindness contributes to a larger narrative of compassion, which the world desperately needs more of. Imagine the joy on a senior’s face when they receive a holiday card or the warmth in a neighbour’s heart when they receive a compliment. Creating and hosting these kindness challenges and sharing your acts of kindness experiences—giving and receiving—will enrich your life and strengthen your community.
This December let’s embrace the spirit of kindness—online and offline. Your social media feeds can become a gallery of kindness, with posts and shares illustrating the joys of doing acts of kindness, making this holiday season a time of connection, generosity, and lasting impact.
HACHINOHE, Japan – Ivanie Blondin helped Canada to a team sprint gold medal before picking up an individual bronze Friday as Canada opened the long-track speedskating season with three medals at the ISU Four Continents championships.
Ottawa’s Blondin combined with Carolina Hiller of Prince George, B.C., and Béatrice Lamarche of Quebec City to win the women’s team sprint in a track record time of one minute 27.87 seconds.
Lamarche used the slingshot technique to launch Blondin into the final lap, which helped the trio maintain their speed. While the move worked, Lamarche said it could be improved.
“The slingshot move felt better yesterday in practice, but it was not at high speed. Maybe we looked smooth, but I personally felt weird and rushed throughout the entire process,” Lamarche said. “I’m excited to try it again during the World Cup in China because I think it can be better.”
South Korea was 1.39 seconds off the pace for silver, while Kazakhstan was 2.49 seconds back of the winners to take bronze.
Later, the 34-year-old Blondin took bronze in the women’s 1,500 metres with a time of 1:57.99.
Japan’s Miho Takagi (1:54.86) and China’s Mei Han (1:56.53) took gold and silver, respectively.
“I feel pretty good about my 1,500,” Blondin said. “I was not able to warm down following the team sprint as we went straight to the medal ceremony. By the time that was over I had to put my skin suit on and get back on the ice.”
“I didn’t have the pop that I normally would — but midway through the race I realized things were going well and my legs were actually feeling pretty decent,” she added. “I was happy with the end time.”
Canada reached the podium for a third time as Anders Johnson of Burnaby, B.C., Laurent Dubreuil of Lévis, Que., and Yankun Zhao of Calgary, Alta., finished third in the men’s team sprint.
The United States (1:19.43) and China (1:19.78) finished ahead of Canada, the defending world champion and world record holder in the discipline.
“I think it was a good race for us,” Johnson said. “It was a new setup for our team today and we executed well and skated well. We’re happy with the result and excited to see what comes in the future.”
The championships continue Saturday with Blondin, Dubreuil, Calgary’s Ted-Jan Bloemen, Valérie Maltais of La Baie, Que., and Ottawa’s Isabelle Weidemann looking to add to Canada’s medal total.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 15, 2024.
