The most recent fundraising totals for political parties in Alberta help paint a picture of the province’s political landscape.
When it comes to raising money, Alberta’s two main parties have out-earned the other parties by hundreds of thousands of dollars, according to Elections Alberta’s Q3 report.
The report shows the Alberta NDP raised $1,435,563.94 in Q3 and the UCP fundraised $974,640.57.
Political scientist Feodor Snagovsky said these Q3 fundraising numbers show a sign of a healthy democracy, with a two-party system clearly established.
He referenced the Progressive Conservatives, who governed for more than 40 years with little alternation of power until the NDP’s “orange crush” in 2015.
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In a startling turn, Rachel Notley’s NDP won a majority government in Alberta on May 4, 2015, ending the 44-year reign of the Progressive Conservatives.
“Now that we’ve moved to a two-party system, I think that’s a really good thing,” he explained.
“There are challenges to the governing party not just from within, but actually two parties that could conceivably form government.”
Prolife Alberta earned third place for fundraising in Q3 with $51,126.94.
The group, which has never held a seat in the Alberta legislature, raised more money than the Alberta Party and Liberal Party combined.
Richard Durr, executive director for Prolife Alberta, said he believes his party’s fundraising totals can be attributed to some Albertans directing their money towards a specific set of values.
“There’s a two-party system, as it were, and both parties are neglecting to address right to life issues and the beneficiary of that is our association,” Durr said.
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