About the Democratic Renewal Project

Our Mission

We are building a grassroots coalition of people who are Alberta Liberals, Alberta New Democrats, greens, truly progressive Tories and independents to create change

To renew democracy and put an end to one-party rule
To elect a progressive government
To create a just province that represents all Albertans

Our Vision & Values

Alberta is the wealthiest place on the planet, thanks to its natural resources. We need a thoughtful and progressive government that makes sure the money lasts, that everyone benefits from the wealth and that the environment is safe for generations to come. We envision a province that respects diversity and is committed to equity and fairness. The spirit of entrepreneurship, cooperation and compassion that marked our province's early years needs to be revived.

Priority Issues for the DRP Include. . .

Job security and a living wage
Elections where every vote counts
Commitment to public health care
Investment in a diverse & green economy
Sustainable environment
Well-supported public services (e.g. education, long-term care)
Safe, healthy workplaces
Accessible, transparent & accountable government

Key Questions & Answers

1. Why is a ‘united alternative’ necessary in Alberta?
The Conservative Party in Alberta is the strongest provincial political force in the country. We have changed the government once in 80 years. It is highly unlikely that any single political party, centre or left, can defeat the Conservatives with a ‘go it alone’ strategy.

A coalition of the opposition parties could introduce a system in which every vote counts. Electoral systems, such as proportional representation, invite parties to distinguish themselves from one another while working to effectively address our serious environmental and social issues.

2. How would a cooperative strategy increase the chance of electing progressive candidates?
Voter turnout is falling with each election. With strategic cooperation, we give progressive people, particularly disillusioned non-voters, a reason to vote and a reason to believe their vote will count. People want to see a real contest rather than a foregone conclusion. By attracting and supporting single winnable candidates in winnable ridings, we eliminate vote-splitting among progressive candidates. Rather than limiting choice, we can support a candidate in any riding for the benefit of all Albertans.

3. Does the Democratic Renewal Project (DRP) want to see the Alberta Liberals and the Alberta New Democrats merge?
The DRP does not support a merger and does not support the idea of creating a new party, splitting the vote even further. The DRP includes members from the centre/left parties, greens, disillusioned Tories and Albertans who do not belong to any party. The DRP supports opposition parties working together, with a fair distribution of seats, to elect a new, progressive government in Alberta.

4. What do the Alberta New Democrats and Alberta Liberals have in common?
Stated party positions overlap on key issues, including health, a green economy and education. Political activists who looked at a list of eight policies from the parties could not distinguish which policies belonged to which party, beyond the level of random guessing. We should focus on what we have in common rather than emphasize our differences so that we can change the direction of Alberta politics.

5. Who would decide which party runs a candidate in the winnable ridings?
In a 'non-compete' arrangement, the Alberta Liberals and Alberta New Democrats agree on a fair division of seats across the province. A ‘fair division of seats’ means more than simply allocating each seat to last election's second-place winner. The non-compete agreement creates the possibility of significant increases in the number of seats held by each party, and sets the stage for an overall electoral victory for the ‘united alternative.’

6. Are coalition governments allowed in Canada and do they work?
Coalition governments – provincial and federal – are legal in Canada and the norm in the majority of the world’s parliamentary democracies. Alberta, Manitoba, British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Ontario have had multi-party governments over time. Three-quarters of Western European countries in the post-war era have had multi-party governments.

What would a 'united alternative' look like?

View Election Results - Comparisons & Projections by Phil Elder.
2 versions available:

How will change come about?

We can elect a new and progressive government if we:

Work together as a coalition before elections
Agree on a fair division of seats across the province
Run single winnable candidates in winnable ridings

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