Notley asks Smith to confirm promise to hold Alberta provincial election May 29, not seek delay

Notley says extending the mandate past the next scheduled election on May 29 would, in her words, "be genuinely destabilizing to our provincial economy and our democracy.''

Alberta’s Opposition NDP leader wants a public guarantee from Premier Danielle Smith that she will follow through on her promise to hold the next general election on its scheduled date next spring.

Rachel Notley, in a letter sent Friday to Smith, says the United Conservative premier is trampling on Albertans’ democratic rights by promising to implement radical policy changes without first seeking a popular mandate.

“Since Oct. 6, when you were selected as leader of the United Conservative Party by 1.5 per cent of eligible voters, you have telegraphed an intention to implement several extreme policy choices that have never been put before the people of this province,” wrote Notley.

“To suggest you have a mandate to act on these plans prior to a provincial vote is dismissive of Albertans’ democratic rights.

“To extend the legislated date of this vote would be genuinely destabilizing to our provincial economy and our democracy.

Smith’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Smith has promised to hold the election on May 29 and has not hinted or suggested she is reconsidering such a move.

However, the scope of her planned changes has led to speculation she might delay the vote to its full five-year mandate — an extension that is legal but rarely used.