The mention of taxation was a classic "left shooting itself in the foot with honesty" moment.
They could have had that as a central plan, they just didn't need to talk about it. In fact, I would assume that virtually everyone in the know already realized and understood that was the plan (how else could they fund better social programs while also adding to the heritage fund as discussed in their plan?!!)
But, this is where the unscrupulous win. They know that they can have plans that they don't campaign on, whereas the NDP take is that transparency should roll through everything and they should lay their plans bare on the table.
If the UCP ran on the actual positions they are currently following they would have lost. In fact, we can see direct evidence of them downplaying APP and the curriculum during the election, only to revive them immediately and use them as foundational pieces once government was formed.
If the NDP hadn't had Todd Hirsch tell everyone the secret sauce they probably would have won.
In current state, I don't think they can win again. Notley had really good name recognition and remarkably wasn't hated. Begrudging acceptance. Without Notley IMO the brand remains unelectable in alberta. This is also why Nenshi won't run as an NDP candidate (IMO).
It's a shame the AB party moniker was already used up by a bunch of losers. We need a new party to take up the fight.
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