2023 Provincial Election Platform Analysis
Are Alberta’s provincial parties committing to The Nonprofit Vote priorities? We’ve got the scoop!
We’re analyzing party platforms and costing for alignment with our platform priorities. We’re focusing on the NDP and UCP, who both have a full slate of candidates. We are pleased to hear the Alberta Party has committed to the full $300 million over 3 years that is part of our Appropriate Funding priority, to address challenges faced by our sector since 2019. Read the 2023 State of the Sector, Too Essential to Fail, at this link.
Our review considers commitments made in platforms since the campaign officially began on May 1, 2023 as they relate directly to The Nonprofit Vote’s 5 platform priorities. We have noted a few additional commitments from each platform that have relevance to the nonprofit sector in Alberta. This is not a comprehensive list of all commitments that may be of interest and we encourage you to read all the platforms in full.
The Platforms
While this analysis focuses on party platforms and objectives, individual candidates often make comments within the context of their local campaigns that may or make not align with publicly stated commitments from their respective parties. We encourage readers to find out more about their candidates to discern how their vision and values align with their own.
The Priorities
The Nonprofit Vote partners have outlined 5 priorities parties must include in their platforms to ensure the vitality of our critical sector: 1) Appropriate Funding, including a $300 million Community Prosperity Fund eligible only to nonprofits; 2) A Workforce Strategy; 3) Better Data Collection; 4) A Door to Government and 5) An Empowered Sector. Click on this link to read more about them.
The Analysis
United Conservative Party:
UCP candidates express interest in sector priorities, with some financial commitments.
In her address to the nonprofit sector on May 25, Danielle Smith expressed her willingness to increase funding for Family and Community Support Services, and to make it easier for nonprofits to access government.
The UCP has made a commitment to $80 million over four years for a Community Recreation Infrastructure Fund, above and beyond their current investments in the Community Facility Enhancement Fund, which sits at $50 million for 2023-2024.
Additional UCP commitments of interest to our sector:
$282 million for counselling and addictions with a focus on recovery, including judge-appointed mandatory drug treatment.
Two investments of $10 million over 4 years (2023-2027) in women’s shelters and sexual assault shelters respectively.
$10/day childcare by 2026 through an agreement negotiated with the federal government. This agreement will lead to 15,500 new childcare spaces in the coming year.
The Analysis
New Democratic Party: commits to all Platform Priorities, but financial commitment takes different emphasis.
After addressing the nonprofit sector at An Afternoon with Rachel Notley, the NDP committed to all 5 priorities in a letter sent the CCVO on May 9.
Their commitment to Appropriate Funding for the sector does not include a commitment to a Community Prosperity Fund of $300 million over three years as requested in The Nonprofit Vote priorities. It currently includes:
More Funding for Family and Community Supports: The NDP commits to increase Family and Community Support Services and Family and Community Safety (FCS) by 50%, representing an $80 million increase.
Hometown Alberta: The NDP commits to increasing the Community Facility Enhancement Program by 50%, representing a $25 million increase. It also commits to an annual $100 million capital fund to help “build or improve community halls, legion halls, non-profit spaces, seniors centres, recreation centres, museum, art and culture centres, playgrounds, or places of worship.”
In written response to a campaign led by Alberta arts organizations, they committed to:
Increasing funding to the Alberta Foundation for the Arts by 50%, and an Arts Capital Grants Program. This is not highlighted in their Commitments.
Additional NDP commitments of interest to our sector:
$645 million in capital and $210 million in operating funds to provide affordable housing to 40,000 Albertans
Accelerating $10/day daycare and expanding it to include before and after school care
$225 million for mental health coverage for 5 visits
Support for domestic abuse shelters to weather inflation, cover operational shortfalls and increase wages, amounting to $8 million in the first year.
Thanks for tuning in!