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But as polls showed leading up to the election, voters were not distracted from their overriding concern this time — an economy dazed by body blows to energy and agriculture dealt through volatile energy prices, lack of pipeline access to markets and China’s ban on canola. A stubborn downturn entering its fifth year has claimed 130,000 jobs while regulatory and legal setbacks keep delaying the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion.

Many Albertans, too, are increasingly unnerved by the province’s growing ocean of red ink and angry at the federal government and the provinces of Quebec and British Columbia for grievances including pipeline obstructionism, perceived unfairness in federal spending and seeming indifference for Alberta’s troubles.

While Notley smartly targeted the UCP’s ethics and bozo eruptions, Kenney tapped into the anger and anxiety over the economy that is top of mind for most Albertans.

As he settles into the government side, Kenney must not forget the issue that got him there. Voters decided to back Kenney’s plan to cut taxes, get tougher in the fight for pipelines and reign in government spending.

But the UCP cannot mistake that mandate as licence to reverse the clock on hard-fought human-rights gains such as women’s reproductive rights and protections for gay-straight alliances.

Albertans may be fiscally conservative by nature but they are nowhere as socially hidebound as the stereotype suggests.

At their hearts, Albertans are hard workers who eschew debt but they are also tolerant, fair-minded and generous. Kenney would be well-advised to remember this, and as they’ve shown in voting out the NDP, they won’t be patient in waiting for economic revival.

Local editorials are the consensus opinion of the Journal’s editorial board, comprising Mark Iype, Dave Breakenridge, Sarah O’Donnell and Bill Mah.