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CBC
7 days ago
- Business
- CBC
NDP still waiting for Nenshi wave: poll shows party farther behind UCP with new leader
EDITOR'S NOTE: CBC News commissioned this public opinion research to be conducted immediately following the federal election and leading into the second anniversary of the United Conservative Party's provincial election win in May 2023. As with all polls, this one provides a snapshot in time. This analysis is one in a series of articles from this research. More stories will follow. Naheed Nenshi, the Alberta NDP leader and prolific public speaker, spent 55 minutes delivering a speech to his party's convention in early May about the state of Alberta politics and where he wants to take his movement and province. Well, at least most of it was present- and future-focused. He spent 11 minutes near the top of his address looking back at the Calgary flood — the defining moment of his mayoralty. A dozen years ago. At one point in that reminiscence, he became self-aware he was dwelling on the past. "So I know this feels like an old story," Nenshi said. "Why is he going back to the greatest hits?" He then tried to bridge his storytelling about Calgary's flood-time resilience into a metaphor about the UCP government. "It's a flood of economic uncertainty. It's a flood of attacks on our public services. It's a flood of policies that divide rather than unite. And today, my friends, we're going to start stopping that flood." But it seems like the hero of 2013 Calgary isn't stirring hearts in 2025 Alberta, according to new polling from Janet Brown Opinion Research. Ex-mayor behind in cities The massive enthusiasm that surrounded his big win last year as the Opposition party's leader appears to have failed to resonate beyond his base. He was a star recruit from outside the NDP ranks, selected to deliver victory after former premier Rachel Notley had failed in her second and third bids to return the party to that electoral Jerusalem. However, NDP fortunes have fallen sharply in Calgary under its first Calgarian leader. They'd narrowly won the popular vote and won the most seats in the province's largest city in 2023, but now trail the UCP there by 13 percentage points, the poll shows — nearly as far back as they are provincewide. And in Edmonton, the city they swept (again) and won by 29 points in 2023, it's nearly a tie. Nenshi is running in a by-election in Notley's former riding of Edmonton–Strathcona, and is even mingling among the city's hockey fans in a newish team sweater. But he has a lot of ground to make up in his newly adoptive political home base to even bring the NDP back to its 2023 levels of success, let alone faring better than that next election. "Our life's work is not to be the biggest Opposition Alberta has ever seen," Nenshi told his party convention. "Our life's work is to be the best government Alberta's ever had." While the NDP brand often struggled, Notley in her latter years tended to enjoy higher personal support than her UCP rivals Jason Kenney and Danielle Smith. The progressive party's current leader holds no such edge, compared to the current premier. In both Edmonton and Calgary, more poll respondents are likely to say they have a negative impression of Nenshi than a positive one. Brown said he may have Smith to blame for his fortunes, as impressions of the premier have edged upward over her time in office. "It's always difficult to look at a leader in isolation because how well a leader is doing is always related to how well the person on the other end of the teeter-totter is doing," the pollster told CBC News. "So Danielle Smith probably owes something to Nenshi for how well she's doing, and Nenshi probably has to acknowledge that Smith is one of the reasons that he's not performing as well." Brown cites Smith's "dynamic" communicating skills — say, wasn't that Nenshi's reputation too? — but also her ability to dominate the agenda as premier. "She just takes up so much of the energy, it's hard for Nenshi to get into the debate," Brown said. Over his nearly one year as leader, Nenshi hasn't been able to get onto the legislature floor for any formal debate; but with a by-election win on June 23, he'll have that opportunity when the assembly resumes sitting in October. But getting in four weeks of question period jousts this fall won't likely matter much — not with so many other modern ways to make his political message heard, said Keith McLaughlin, a former NDP senior aide and strategist. To him, Nenshi should change the content and approach of his message, rather than expect the venue to improve things for him. "Voters want fighters, not feelers," McLaughlin said in an interview. "They don't want to go for a bleeding heart." While Nenshi's recollections of the Calgary spirit during the flood were well received by convention-goers, McLaughlin said, the partisans were far more energized by their leader's more spirited rhetoric about labour strife among education staff and about their rivals' flirtation with provincial separatism. David Climenhaga, a provincial NDP supporter and blogger, wrote after the Alberta convention that Nenshi's been "weirdly passive" when he's had the opportunity to take on Smith. "There are lots of social media videos, but I don't get the feeling Mr. Nenshi's professorial lectures have homed in on the issues that matter the most to the working Albertans whose votes the provincial NDP requires to push it over the top," Climenhaga wrote. However, time and circumstances may have prevented Nenshi from capitalizing on two of the biggest fights his NDP have taken to the United Conservatives. The opposition was girding for a big fight last fall, when Smith put forth her legislation making major policy changes on transgender youth health care and in schools in late October. But soon afterward, headlines were dominated by Donald Trump's victory south of the border, and his subsequent threats on Canadian sovereignty. Months later, controversy erupted over Alberta Health Services' contracting practices and the ouster of CEO Athana Mentzelopoulos. Nenshi's NDP swiftly branded it a scandal and demanded another ouster, that of Health Minister Adriana LaGrange. The Trump bump (of all else off the agenda) But other events dominated the headlines as those health-management stories broke, too. A newly inaugurated President Trump ramped up his tariff threats on Canada, and the rise of Liberal Leader Mark Carney and the federal election became the main story in Alberta and elsewhere, perhaps giving less spotlight to provincial politics, where Nenshi and his MLAs were busy fervently denouncing their rivals and trying to highlight the AHS saga. Brown also said she believes the recent evaporation of federal NDP support is helping drag down the provincial party. Nenshi's team has recently started referring to themselves as "Alberta's New Democrats" instead of using the NDP acronym — a subtle attempt to distance themselves from their federal cousins. That's on top of a more formal separation of federal and provincial branches. At the same convention where Nenshi shared his flood reminiscences, members voted to end automatic membership in the federal NDP for all provincial card-holders. They also showed unity behind their leader with an 89.5 per cent vote of support in his leadership review. The party is leaning on him in these by-elections. Not only is Nenshi's name on his own candidate lawn signs in Strathcona, but his cross-town colleague running in the vacant Edmonton-Ellerslie has a "Team Nenshi" logo in one corner that's larger than the party's logo in another corner. Despite his subpar performance in polls to date, there's far more patience than discontent among New Democrats with Nenshi, McLaughlin said. There's also awareness that he has time to make up ground before the next Alberta election in fall 2027. While his NDP remains united, there's sharp division At the end of Nenshi's speech, he spent three more minutes on one last 2013 Calgary flood story — about one family wracked by the disaster, and the shepherd's pie that strangers made for them. He spoke about the deep kindness and generosity of Albertans in the face of adversity, and then spoke of tapping into that spirit to overcome what Smith's UCP have wrought. It may have been a new anecdote to many of the non-Calgarians at this Alberta NDP event, but it's one that by 2014 had already been well-worn in Nenshi's rhetorical repertoire. He may choose to refresh the content of his speeches as he continues in his bid to overtake the UCP and Smith. Or, he could stick with his greatest hits, the pivotal moment of his past political career and for Calgary. But if the flood is still his favourite reference point come next election, he'll be seized by something that happened 14 years ago, when voters will be concerned about the next four years. The CBC News random survey of 1,200 Albertans was conducted using a hybrid method between May 7 to 21, 2025, by Edmonton-based Trend Research under the direction of Janet Brown Opinion Research. The sample is representative of regional, age and gender factors. The margin of error is +/- 2.8 percentage points, 19 times out of 20. For subsets, the margin of error is larger. The survey used a hybrid methodology that involved contacting survey respondents by telephone and giving them the option of completing the survey at that time, at another more convenient time, or receiving an email link and completing the survey online. Trend Research contacted people using a random list of numbers, consisting of 40 per cent landlines and 60 per cent cellphone numbers. Telephone numbers were dialed up to five times at five different times of day before another telephone number was added to the sample. The response rate among valid numbers (i.e. residential and personal) was 12.8 per cent.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Buffalo Common Council asks for amendments to proposed budget
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — The Buffalo Common Council is asking for six amendments to acting Mayor Chris Scanlon's 2025-26 proposed budget. Council members said the amendments focus on making affordability a priority while 'reining in' increasing overtime costs and maintaining public services. Scanlon announced his $622 million budget in April, which includes a hotel occupancy tax, selling city-owned parking ramps, a proposed property tax increase and more. His proposal has been met with critiques from local leaders about its ability to fill the $70 million budget hole. Scanlon announces $622M city budget, proposes 8% property tax increase One of the amendments asks for formal agreements to be made between the city and venues or organizers who use the city's police, fire and sanitation services for events. More specifically, the council is asking for reimbursements from the entities for 'city-related expenses' through a memorandum of understanding. A property tax circuit breaker program was also proposed, citing concerns of effects of the proposed tax increase on low-income homeowners. The council said it would provide 'targeted relief' to people whose tax liabilities are higher than a 'defined percentage' of their yearly income. The council wants representation on the Buffalo Parking Authority — which has received approval in the state's budget and would pave the way for city-owned parking ramps to be sold off to the authority — to 'promote transparency' to the public. Caps to departmental overtime, particularly in police and fire services, was listed as an amendment, along with switching to one annual bulk trash pickup model. Any reduction in trash services would be returned to residents through fee reductions. The council requested the restoration of funding for art programs that was cut in December 2024 and $403,000 in funding for cultural and anti-violence initiatives. The amendments follow concerns from local leaders since the announcement of the proposed budget. Buffalo Comptroller Barbara Miller-Williams previously called the budget 'technically balanced,' but took issue with the city relying on nonrecurring revenue sources. New York State Senator Baskin, along with Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz and Buffalo mayoral candidate and State Senator Sean Ryan, questioned the proposed sale of parking ramps and whether it will fill the budget gap. Poloncarz concerned by 'serious issues' in proposed Buffalo budget Scanlon has previously said that his proposals are not one-time revenue sources and that the Buffalo Parking Authority, would bring around $40 to $50 million in cash, as well as $2.5 million in revenue every year. 'It's not a gimmick, it's money that would come in — a large sum of money — that we could use over the course of several years while we fix the budget,' Scanlon told WIVB News 4 on Friday. 'If you look at the four-year plan, it's laid out, how we would do that, but also, it would provide a yearly revenue as well and again, alleviate the City of Buffalo of any maintenance and capital costs associated with those.' The council will vote on the budget amendments on Tuesday, May 27. Katie Skoog joined the News 4 team in April 2024. She is a graduate from the University at Buffalo. You can view more of her work here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Sun
17-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Sun
Major driving licence change for 50 MILLION Brits to be launched this summer – check how to apply now
A MASSIVE shake-up to driving licences for nearly 50 million Brits is gearing up to launch this summer – and it could change how you prove your identity, drive, and even buy booze. The Government has confirmed that it will begin rolling out digital driving licences as part of a major tech upgrade aimed at modernising public services. 3 3 The move will affect around 50 million Brits who currently hold a provisional or full driving licence. Initially, the digital version will sit alongside existing plastic photocards, which will remain valid, but it's expected to eventually be accepted in all the same situations, such as hiring a car, proving your age, or showing ID at the airport. When are digital driving licences coming? A Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) spokesman confirmed to This is Money that a digital driving licence will arrive later this year. "The Wallet will be launched this summer with the first credential being a digital Veteran card. "Later in the year, we plan to begin rolling out a digital driving licence, which will eventually be usable for everything your paper licence is currently used for. "We're working closely with DVLA and industry to meet this timeline." Is it compulsory to get one? Importantly, the department also made it clear that the digital version is not compulsory. Those who prefer to keep using their plastic cards can continue doing so. The aim is to offer flexibility while making life easier for people who already use their smartphones for banking, health services and travel. Once launched, drivers who wish to get the digital version will need to download the Wallet app from official app stores. After that, they'll be asked to verify their identity using facial recognition, upload any necessary documents and follow a few simple steps. Once approved, your licence will appear on your phone and be ready to use. It's expected to work similarly to existing digital railcards, giving people quick access to their details and allowing for instant updates. You'll also be able to view things like your driving record, renewal dates, and any endorsements through the app. The change is part of a wider plan to save the Government billions by moving services online. According to ministers, the goal is to improve how people interact with official services and help achieve efficiency savings of up to £45 billion. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has described the change as a 'game changer' for the millions who rely on their licence daily, particularly for ID purposes. She said having a secure, digital version on your phone is the natural next step in a digital age. Despite the potential benefits, some concerns have been raised. Critics worry that moving to digital documents could exclude older people or those without smartphones, particularly in rural areas with patchy signal. There are also fears about what might happen if your phone runs out of battery or gets stolen. Research by Quotezone revealed that the nation is split over the idea. Around 49 per cent support the change, but 47 per cent are against it — with many citing concerns over security and data sharing. Some users also prefer the reassurance of having a physical card, particularly when travelling abroad, where digital licences may not yet be accepted. Still, DSIT has stressed that the Wallet will have robust security, using the same kind of two-factor authentication found in most banking apps. And if you ever lose your phone, your licence can be remotely deactivated, preventing anyone else from accessing it. Privacy campaigners have also raised the alarm over how much personal data could be stored in one place. The government says no one will be forced to use the digital wallet and that only those who actively choose to download the app will need to upload their ID. Over time, the app will be expanded to include other important documents too, such as Blue Badges, PIP letters, DBS checks, and even marriage or birth certificates. Officials hope that by 2027, people will be able to manage most of their key government documents all from one place. The last big shake-up to licences happened back in 1998 when the paper version was replaced by the plastic photocard. In 2015, the paper counterpart was scrapped altogether. This new digital rollout marks the biggest change in nearly three decades. Applications for the digital driving licence will open once the Wallet goes live later this summer. DSIT says a full announcement will be made nearer the time. Drivers are being urged to only download the official app from Apple or Google Play to avoid scams or fake versions. A recent poll of 1,000 motorists by Regtransfers found that fewer than half — just 43 per cent — even knew the change was coming. As the rollout approaches, ministers say public awareness will grow, especially as more services begin to link into the new system. Meanwhile, the European Union is working on its own version of a digital driving licence, which could eventually make cross-border travel easier. That rollout would affect over 440 million drivers — showing just how fast digital ID is becoming the norm across Europe. For now, though, UK drivers are being given the choice, not the requirement,to switch.
RNZ News
15-05-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Oral Questions for Thursday 15 May 2025
Questions to Ministers Hon BARBARA EDMONDS to the Minister of Finance: Does she stand by her statement about the pay equity changes that "the process that we have set up is fair. It's robust"; if so, how is cancelling 33 pay equity claims under urgency fair? CAMERON BREWER to the Associate Minister of Finance: What recent reports has he seen about tax and spending in New Zealand? RICARDO MENÉNDEZ MARCH to the Minister of Health: Does he support GP services being free, publicly owned, and adequately resourced to reach underserved communities? Hon Dr MEGAN WOODS to the Minister for Women: Has she sought advice on the impact on closing the gender pay gap from moving the pay equity claim threshold from a 60 percent to a 70 percent female-dominated workforce; if not, why not? SUZE REDMAYNE to the Minister of Education: What recent announcements has she made about supporting the Government's target of raising student achievement? Hon JAN TINETTI to the Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety: Is it accurate that 180,000 workers are affected by the cancelling of 33 pay equity claims? TEANAU TUIONO to the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries: Does he believe bottom trawling is damaging; if so, should it be banned? TOM RUTHERFORD to the Minister of Justice: How is the Government progressing with its plan to restore law and order? Hon GINNY ANDERSEN to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: Was cancelling 33 current pay equity claims consistent with her commitment to reduce persistent disadvantage as outlined in her employment action plan; if not, why not? NANCY LU to the Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs: What recent announcements has the Government made about increasing competition in banking? Hon PRIYANCA RADHAKRISHNAN to the Minister for Disability Issues: Does she stand by her statement, "That is why we are prioritising disabled people, their families and carers"; if so, why? Dr PARMJEET PARMAR to the Associate Minister of Agriculture: What recent announcements has he made about strengthening regulation to support the welfare of dogs? To embed this content on your own webpage, cut and paste the following: See terms of use.
Bloomberg
13-05-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
Bytes CEO Says Microsoft Partners Will Be Key in UK's AI Push
Takeaways NEW Bytes Technology Group Plc expects the UK's commitment to using artificial intelligence to make public services more efficient to be a boon for companies that resell and manage Microsoft Corp. services. 'You can see the determination that Microsoft has got, the billions they're spending on data centers in the UK and their ambition is very bold,' Chief Executive Officer Sam Mudd said in an interview. 'Partners like Bytes Technology Group, we're aligned to them with that strategy.'
