BY JOHN MATHER

It was the wee hours of the morning on May 30, but when the count was finally concluded Danielle Smith and the United Conservative Party had racked up a narrow majority government win over Rachel Notley and the NDP.

With ridings flipping back and forth between the two parties for most of the night, the final count was 48 seats for the UCP while Notley and the NDP grew the official opposition to 39 seats.

“To paraphrase our friend Ralph Klein, ‘Welcome to another Miracle on the Prairies’,” Smith bellowed over a raucous crowd at her Calgary victory party.

“We faced the most expensive, fierce and coordinated opposition and third party political campaign in provincial history.

“Many folks wrote us off as recently as last month, but folks chose to move our province forward by re-electing a strong, stable majority government.”

She thanked all candidates regardless of whether they ran for the UCP or any other party.

Smith easily held on to her own seat in Brooks Medicine Hat where she was up against Alberta Party leader Barry Morishita, who finished a distant third behind the chief, another deputy fire chief, and two firefighters among a class action lawsuit brought upon the City of Leduc by two former female firefighters. The lawsuit contained

The Lamont Leader (Lamont, Alberta), Wednesday, May 31, allegations of sexual harassment, discrimination and bullying but have not been proven in court.

Although Moore was not named in the suit, according to reports he was mentioned in an external investigation report as not properly addressing the issues brought forward by the women. sources, with the absence of confirmation from Lamont County, it cannot be substantiated that Moore’s appointment to Regional Fire Chief will take place.

NDP candidate.

In fact the Alberta Party, which ran a limited number of candidates hoping for a breakthrough, was thoroughly decimated as this was strictly a two-horse race throughout the night.

“The election is now over,” continued Smith.

“It is time to put aside partisanship, division, personal and political attacks in the rearview mirror. It’s time to move forward as all Albertans no matter who we voted for.”

In mentioning the NDP leader had called to concede the election, Smith stated she believed Rachel Notley was a loyal Albertan who truly cares about the province.

Speaking to Albertans who hadn’t cast a vote for the UCP, Smith said “I want you to know that my mandate is to work for all Albertans no matter how you voted.

“I will work every day to demonstrate to you that I can be trusted to work to improve on the issues that are important to you.”

She said she wasn’t perfect but if she heard about concerns she could then work to improve on them.

Smith did take a swipe at the Justin Trudeau Liberals and stated she was fully prepared to stand up to him,

Continued on Page 15