Although Danielle Smith’s United Conservative Party is polling ahead of the Alberta NDP, more Albertans than not disapprove of her government’s handling of most key issues.
According to a survey conducted by Leger360, Albertans disapprove of the government’s handling of 16 out of 20 key issues facing the province – despite the government’s eight-point voting intention lead over the rival NDP party.
The survey was conducted by asking a sample of 1,005 Albertans, statistically weighted to represent Canada’s demographics according to Canada’s census figures, what they thought on key issues, government, and voting intentions. A probability sample of this size typically has a margin of error of over or under 3.1%, 19 times out of 20.
Smith and Alberta NDP leader Naheed Nenshi were neck in neck in approval ratings each scoring 39% with voters. However, a look at the voting intentions along party lines shows the United Conservatives carrying an eight-point lead over the NDP with 48% and 40% respectively.
United Conservative MLA Garth Roswell, Chair of the Alberta First cabinet policy committee, is optimistic about the province’s direction but admits there’s work to be done to earn the trust and confidence of Albertans.
“Like every other province, Alberta is facing some complex challenges, but we also have the fastest-growing economy in the country, the lowest taxes, the highest wages, and more,” Roswell told True North in an email. “While there’s always more that we can do, this poll shows the UCP with a near ten-point lead over the NDP, suggesting Albertans feel good about the overall direction of their province and government.”
However, 52% of those asked in the poll said that they believe Alberta is on the wrong track, while only 37% said it is going in the right direction. Outside the Conservatives and NDP, no other party received more than 4% support.
Albertans said the most important issues were healthcare, inflation and rising interest rates, housing prices and affordability, and the economy.
Out of those who said healthcare was the most critical issue, 32% were Alberta NDP voters. For those saying it was the second most important issue 50% of voters were provincial NDP supporters.
UCP voters were more likely to prioritize inflation and the economy, with around 20% support for each issue as their most important issue. Out of those who said it was their second priority, 38% of United Conservative supporters said inflation was, and 30% said the economy was.
Regarding housing prices and affordability, the two voter streams were pretty even about what was a priority for them. Of those who said housing was their most important issue, 12% of Albertans would vote United Conservative, and 13% would vote NDP. Of those saying housing was the second biggest priority, 21% were UCP voters, and 24% were for the provincial NDP.
More Albertans approved of the government’s handling of four issues out of 20 than disapproved.
More said that they approved of the government’s handling of wildfires and its policies on energy and pipelines, transportation, and reconciliation with Indigenous and First Nations people than those who disapproved.
More than 50% of Albertans disapproved of the government’s handling of housing prices, affordability, homelessness, health care, poverty, and taxes in each issue.
For those issues that were most important to Albertan constituents, 60% disapproved of the government’s handling of the healthcare system, and 59% disagreed with it on housing prices and affordability. Nearly half disapproved of the government’s approach to the economy, and 46% disapproved of the provincial government budget.