Over the past year, the provincial government has improved its standing on issues, particularly crime and public safety.

Calgary, AB – The United Conservative Party (UCP) is currently the most popular option for voters in Alberta, the Insights West “Alberta Government Report Card” has found.

The online survey of a representative sample of Albertans also shows that the province’s residents have a better opinion of the way their current government has dealt with specific issues and decisions.

Issues and Governance

More than half of Albertans (53%, -17 since an Insights West poll conducted in December 2016) say the economy and jobs is the most important issue facing the province, followed by health care (8%) and housing, poverty and homelessness (also 8%).

At least two-in-five Albertans are satisfied with the way the provincial government is managing five issues: the environment (46%, +9), crime and public safety (41%, +13), climate change (41%, +7), education (41%, +4) and energy and pipelines (40%, -1). The rating is lower for health care (38%, +7), accountability (37%, +10), housing, poverty and homelessness (35%, +13) and the economy and jobs (33%, +10).

A majority of Albertans are satisfied with the provincial government’s decisions to reduce the small business tax rate from 3% to 2% (58%, =), ban political donations from corporations and unions (54%, -3) and increase the minimum wage (53%, +6). At least one third are happy with the government’s policies to reduce Alberta’s greenhouse gas emissions (43%, +6), deal with pending pipeline projects (41%, -1), handle relations with Alberta’s First Nations (37%, +8), deal with Fentanyl and drug abuse in the province (35%, +9) and the implementation of a carbon tax (34%, +6).

Politics

If a provincial election took place tomorrow, the United Conservative Party (UCP) would garner the support of 47% of decided voters. The governing New Democratic Party (NDP) is second with 33% (+6), followed by the Liberal Party at 10% (+5) and the Alberta Party at 7% (+5).

The UCP is particularly popular among Albertans aged 35-to-54 (53%) and those aged 55 and over (57%), while the NDP dominates among those aged 18-to-34 (46%).

The UCP retains 92% of the voters who supported the Progressive Conservatives in the 2015 provincial election, as well as 79% of those who cast a ballot for the Wildrose Party.

Across the province, two-in-five residents (40%, +3) approve of the way Premier and NDP leader Rachel Notley is handling her duties. The numbers are similar for UCP leader Jason Kenney (39%), but lower for Liberal Party leader David Khan (25%).

All three party leaders post a negative momentum score this month, with Notley at -29, Kenney at -14 and Khan at -11.

“One year ago, 61% of decided voters in Alberta said they would vote for either the Wildrose Party or the Progressive Conservatives,” says Steve Mossop, President of Insights West. “The current level of support for the UCP is 14 points lower, and their rivals have improved their standing.”

About Insights West:

Insights West is a progressive, Western-based, full-service marketing research company. It exists to serve the market with insights-driven research solutions and interpretive analysis through leading-edge tools, normative databases, and senior-level expertise across a broad range of public and private sector organizations. Insights West is based in Vancouver and Calgary.

Most of our surveys are conducted through our Your Insights panel. The Your Insights panel is comprised of 30,000 Canadians who share their opinions on a variety of political, economic, social and other issues while earning the opportunity to get paid and win great prizes. If you’re interested in joining, please register at yourinsights.ca.

About this Release:

Results are based on an online study conducted from November 21 to November 24, 2017, among 701 adult Albertans. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.7 percentage points. View the detailed data tabulations.

For further information, please contact:

Steve Mossop

President,Insights West

778-379-1140

stevemossop@insightswest.com