Alberta looking to change to election dates, citing 2023 state of emergency as factor

Following last year’s devastating wildfires that hit right when the Alberta election campaign began, voters will soon see a change in when they head to the polls, as the province looks to move its fixed election date from May to October.

Premier Danielle Smith made the announcement Thursday, pointing to last year’s state of emergency announced in May, due to record-setting wildfires.

“Albertans need their government’s undivided attention during an emergency,” said Smith. 

Wildfires cast a shadow over last year’s election. Some candidates in affected communities halted their campaigns and Premier Smith found herself answering questions about the election at wildfire briefings and questions about wildfires at campaign events.

“It was bizarre for ministers and other candidates to have to go through these motions while so much of Alberta was burning and so many Albertans were out of their homes,” the premier explained.

Though not entirely opposed to reconsidering the election date, opposition NDP leader Rachel Notley says the UCP is giving themselves more time as a government.

“You know, it could have been February of 2027, or it could have been October of 2026 but giving themselves an extra six months seems very self-serving, and opportunistic from a government that has a strong record of being very self-serving, and opportunistic,” said Notley.

“I would argue that if that concern was a truly good faith concern, they would have engaged us in the conversation and they would of course consider the alternative which was to change the date to October of 2026.”

Alberta Wildfire responds to all wildfires in forest protection areas — but places like Drayton Valley — who battled a blaze threatening their community last spring- use their own resources- and are in charge until they ask for help from the province.

New legislation also announced Thursday means municipalities are required to provide information to the province during a state of local emergency- and the province can take control when they feel it’s necessary.

“If the fire or a potential fire is beyond their capabilities, then the province, through that proper reporting structure, will be able to come in and effectively take over control,” said Mike Ellis, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services.

Alberta’s government says this will allow them to respond to emergencies quickly, although Notley fears this is part of an ongoing pattern.

“It seems to be an opportunity where they exploit the crisis in order to accrue power and to undermine democracy and also transparency,” said Notley.

The changes will apply to the provincial election expected in 2027 and beyond.