Alberta general election, 1989

Alberta general election, 1989

March 20, 1989 (1989-03-20)

83 seats in the Legislative Assembly of Alberta 42 seats needed for a majority Turnout 53.60%   Majority party Minority party Third party   Leader Don Getty Ray Martin Laurence Decore Party Progressive Conservative New Democratic Liberal Leader since November 1, 1985 1984 October 9, 1988 Leader's seat Edmonton-Whitemud (lost re-election) Edmonton-Norwood Edmonton-Glengarry Last election 61 seats, 51.4% 16 seats, 29.2% 4 seats, 12.2% Seats before 61 16 4 Seats won 59 16 8 Seat change 2 ±0 4 Popular vote 367,244 217,972 237,787 Percentage 44.3% 26.3% 28.7% Swing 7.1% 2.9% 16.5%

Premier before election Don Getty Progressive Conservative Premier-designate Don Getty Progressive Conservative

The Alberta general election of 1989 was the twenty-second general election for the Province of Alberta, Canada. It was held on March 20, 1989 to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta.

Many political observers were surprised by the early election call - less than three years had passed since the previous election. Premier Don Getty, in his second election as Progressive Conservative Party leader, led it to its sixth consecutive term in government, despite losing a significant share of the popular vote and two seats in the legislature, including his own seat of Edmonton-Whitemud to Liberal candidate Percy Wickman.

The New Democratic Party led by Ray Martin largely held its share of the popular vote, and also its 16 seats in the legislature.

The Liberal Party, under new leader Laurence Decore, was the principal beneficiary of the voters' continuing distrust of Don Getty. The Liberals' share of the popular vote increased to over 28%, more than the NDP, but the party's legislative caucus increased from four to only eight members.

The Representative Party, which had elected 2 candidates in the previous election, did not run any candidates in 1989 (although it remained registered). Leader Ray Speaker defected to the Progressive Conservatives, while Walt Buck retired. The party disbanded soon after the election.

Results

Overall voter turnout was 53.60%.^[1]

Note:

* Party did not nominate candidates in the previous election.

Members elected

For complete electoral history, see individual districts

Note:

• ¹ Nancy Betkowski later changed her last name to MacBeth
• ² Pat Black later changed her last name to Nelson

References

1. ↑ Election Alberta (July 28, 2008). 2008 General Report (PDF). p. 158. Retrieved April 29, 2011. 

See also

• List of Alberta political parties

Elections and referendums in Alberta
General elections	1905 1909 1913 1917 1921 1926 1930 1935 1940 1944 1948 1952 1955 1959 1963 1967 1971 1975 1979 1982 1986 1989 1993 1997 2001 2004 2008 2012 2015 next
Senate nominee elections	1989 1998 2004 2012
Municipal elections	1968 1971 1974 1977 1980 1983 1986 1989 1992 1995 1998 2001 2004 2007 2010 2013
Referendums	1915 1920 1923 1948 1957 1967 1971
See also: List of Alberta by-elections