The Pollcast: How the Alberta NDP won in 2015 and what they face today

It was expected that the 2015 Alberta provincial election would end like the twelve that came before it: with the Alberta Progressive Conservatives being elected to another majority government. Instead, Rachel Notley's New Democrats pulled off what previouslywould have been an unthinkable upsetending 44 years of PC government in the province.

Polls now suggest the NDP will struggle to establish a dynasty of its own this year. So how did the NDP manage to win four years ago, and what would it take for them to do it again on Apr. 16?

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When the 2015 campaign began, Jim Prentice's PCs looked vulnerable. But their chief rival appeared to be Brian Jean and the Wildrose Party, not the NDP. The polls were looking promising for the New Democrats, but the party was only thinking about winning a dozen or so seats at the outset.

Instead, the NDP won a majority government of its own, securing 54 seats. Wildroseformed the Official Opposition with 21 seats, while the PCs were relegated to third party status.

On the latest episode ofThe Pollcastpodcast, host and CBC polls analyst ric Grenierchats withSally Housser, press secretary to Rachel Notley during that campaign, about what it was like to be part of such a memorable election and the challenges the party faces today.

Then, ric and theCBC's Elise von Scheelchat about the latest polls in the province and what to watch for between now and election day.

Listen to the full discussion above or subscribe to the CBCPollcastand listen to past episodes of the show.