Current polls indicate that the year’s contest could be the closest election in Alberta’s history. Canadian poll aggregator 338, in its “path to victory,”  identifies several ridings as toss-ups and crucial races to watch.

Certainly it promises to be one of Alberta’s most consequential elections ever, with the two leading parties proposing distinctly different directions for the province’s future. While both support the energy industry, they diverge on other issues. The UCP under Smith wants to distance Alberta from federal programs and give private enterprise more control over life in Alberta. Rachel Notley’s NDP promises to protect the universal social programs that brought Canada to the top of global quality of life rankings: healthcare, education and environmental protections. The stakes are high.

In this guide we profile key parties and selected constituencies, including the main candidates voters can choose from in each.