‘Nastiest campaign in Alberta’s history’: Alberta Party leader

EDMONTON – The Alberta Party’s leader is hoping other parties and their leaders will be “civil” in the final 48 hours before the voting day. Stephen Mandel says this campaign has been the nastiest ever in the province.

The comments come after one of his party’s supporters received a robocall from someone falsely claiming to be Mandel. The call urged the voter to cast a ballot in favour of the UCP and its leader Jason Kenney.

READ MORE: Mandel calls on RCMP, Elections Commissioner to take action following robocalls

Mandel says he’s almost embarrassed to be involved in the aggressive campaign.

I’ve just had enough of it. Where is the morality of politics. It’s become despicable I think this is an honourable profession. Robo-calls impersonating me telling voters to strategically vote is wrong #abvotes #ableg #ChooseYourAlberta pic.twitter.com/BOlYJH3GJ7

— Stephen Mandel (@SMandel_AB) April 14, 2019

“This campaign has become one of the nastiest campaigns, I think, in the history of Alberta. One that I’m ashamed almost to be a part of. It’s been so difficult to go through some of the days where people are calling names and passing out literature…We go to the doors and it’s the number one thing we’re hearing from people: ‘Why is it like this?'”

He calls this robocall the straw that breaks the camel’s back. “It’s getting so despicable. It really is just so disappointing…We’re losing all that respect [we had].”

“One of the nastiest elections ever”. Mandel is almost ashamed to be part of. Alleging a robot call that pretended to be Stephen Mandel promoting the UCP. He is calling for an investigation from RCMP or @ElectionsAB #abpoli #ableg #yeg pic.twitter.com/xCoxGHOF3c

— Carly Robinson (@CarlyDRobinson) April 14, 2019

Alberta Party candidate for Strathcona-Sherwood Park Dave Quest agrees he’s never seen such a filthy campaign.

“This is my fourth campaign…I’ve never seen a low where somebody would impersonate a party leader on a robocall endorsing another party leader,” said Quest. “I’m gravely concerned…There are people out there that will believe it.”

The robocall was made in the Strathcona-Sherwood Park riding. Mandel calls the latest in the campaign drama a “new low” that sets a “new standard”.

Even the man who received the robocall, Bob Wispinski, says he’s disappointed at how dirty parties have become.

“I am not impressed. I don’t know how to word it without cussing. It really ticks me off that this is what we’ve resorted to.”

NDP leader Rachel Notley admitted Saturday that she “regrets that the campaign has become so negative.”

-with files from Carly Robinson