Albertans skeptical of Danielle Smith, prefer Rachel Notley: poll

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has some competition from NDP leader Rachel Notley, according to polling numbers from Leger released Friday.

The Canadian market research firm found, among decided voters, a neck-and-neck race between the United Conservative Party (UCP) and the NDP, with the latter having 44 per cent support while the former has 42 per cent.

That compares to Leger’s survey during the 2019 provincial election, when 55 per cent of decided voters said they would support the UCP, while 33 per cent opted for the NDP.

Meanwhile, Leger’s latest survey found people in Edmonton were “more likely” to vote for the NDP than those outside of the Alberta capital, though only slightly more than people in rural parts of the city.

Edmontonians also had the “lowest opinion” of Smith, with the lowest percentages in several categories.

A screenshot of stats that Leger released on Oct. 14, 2022. (Courtesy of Leger)

Regarding “improving the lives of Albertans,” 23 per cent of people in Alberta said Smith would do so, while 36 per cent said she wouldn’t. Twenty per cent believe the new premier would be able to fix problems in the health care system, compared to 41 per cent who disagree with that notion.

Less than 30 per cent of Albertans generally agree that Smith “will bring about positive change.”

When asked, “Who would be the best premier?” Rachel Notley was the top preference at 36 per cent. Smith got the support of only 22 per cent of respondents, with another 25 per cent undecided.

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The age group with the highest support for Notley was 65 years and up, compared to 31 per cent for Smith. Nineteen per cent of the 1,000 people surveyed are in this age group.

The poll was conducted online between Oct. 7 and 10, and ended a day before Smith made her remarks about unvaccinated Albertans being the most “discriminated-against” group she has seen in her lifetime.

-With files from Mark Strashok