Alberta by-election: a precursor for a Chinook wind of change?

With the upcoming by-elections in Calgary Elbow (Klein’s old riding which has been held by the PC’s since 1971 when it was first drawn) and Drumheller-Strathmore an exciting time in the province of Alberta is upon us. We Albertans do not get much excitement with elections as we already know the outcome even before an election is called, however the proverbial Chinook winds of change has warmed our province as the ice-cold grasp of the provincial PC’s have started to melt.

Although the Drumheller-Strathmore by-election may be a long shot, the candidate is a great choice (little biased as I am good friends with his son). Calgary Elbow, as Rod Love stated today on CBC Radio Calgary, that Calgary Elbow will be a challenge for both parties and that it will be a snapshot of the approval of leadership for both Eddie and Taft.

With the PC government seemingly digging themselves into deeper hole everyday over their inability (or lack of desire) to grasp the concerns of Albertans, with the unfair treatment of Calgary with their broken promises of infrastructure monies, refusal to address the affordable housing crisis and their now supposed favoritism of UofA over UofC (this one gets me fired up as a UofC student), it seems as if this party is running itself right off the cliff at Head Smashed in Buffalo Jump.

The sad reality is when it comes to these by-elections and the future provincial election, will Albertans be able to change their habits and put a check mark next to another party? After 35 years of PC domination, will a change in government ever come?

There is hope however, with the changing demographics and the substantial population growth we have experienced here in Alberta over the past five years, the Chinook winds may come sooner and stay longer than us liberals in Alberta could have ever dreamed of.