Flanked by her team of Progressive Conservative candidates, Premier Alison Redford fired up cheering supporters at rallies in both Edmonton and Calgary Saturday to mark the final push ahead of Election Day on Monday.
A room in Edmonton’s Expo Centre was transformed into waves of orange and blue Saturday morning, as roughly 200 supporters hoisted placards in the air and chanted “vote PC, vote PC.”
Redford spoke to the crowd with 24 of her candidates lining the stage behind her, all of them clapping and cheering.
“It’s fun being in a room like this with all of these people, talking with Albertans, listening to what Albertan’s are saying, for me is really energizing – I enjoy it,” Redford said Saturday morning in Edmonton.
“It is something that is a tremendous privilege and it’s an experience like I’ve never had before and I have enjoyed every minute of it.”
Redford is hoping to spread that PC enthusiasm this weekend, but won’t be appealing to NDP or Liberal supporters to back her party to prevent a Wildrose victory.
“I am going to keep doing what we’ve done because what we’re talking about is a positive message for the future of Alberta that we as Progressive Conservatives believe will impact the way people decide to vote on Monday,” Redford said. “At the end of the day, it is their choice as to who to vote for on Monday when they go into that ballot box.”
“We are going to continue to be positive and constructive and talk about public health care and education and infrastructure and our place in the world and we are very optimistic for Monday.”
Even though polls are showing Calgary is coming up Wildrose, Redford doesn’t seem concerned about losing representation in the city.
“Certainly, talking to our candidates in Calgary, they are very optimistic. I think we are going to see good representation for us as Progressive Conservatives across the province and we are going to carry on with doing the service that Albertans ask us to do.”
But it wasn’t all positive for Redford in Calgary. During a photo op at a Sobey’s grocery store, she was asked to leave.
On Saturday, Redford also addressed reports that some third party advertisers, like the Alberta Federation of Labour, are being investigated by Elections Alberta.
“I think it’s unfortunate — this has been a very heated campaign,” she said. “As we move ahead I am sure they will do their job and I would just ask everyone to remember that we need to keep a civilized tone and follow the rules.”
Redford and her team will continue to rally the troops in Calgary on Sunday when they stop at several more local campaign offices.
She is also looking forward to spending some time with her daughter, Sarah, ahead of Monday’s election, who she says has been a very patient 10-year-old, while she has been away from home travelling around the province for the past 26 days.
Calgary Sun, Sat Apr 21 2012
Byline: Lisa Mrazek