Alberta's New Licence Plates: Public Vote Decides Design and Slogan

Alberta is contemplating a fresh look for its licence plates, with a public election set to determine on eight design and slogan choices. This isn't the province's first attempt at a redesign, as a previous effort in 2014 was scrapped due to cost concerns.

In 2014, the government proposed a redesign that included a new Alberta logo and a push to the government's website, among other changes. The 'Wild Rose Country' slogan was set to be replaced, but the opposition Wildrose Party expressed disapproval on social media. Premier Jim Prentice ultimately cancelled the redesign, citing cost concerns and redirecting funds to schools and other priorities.

This time around, Premier Danielle Smith assures that the choice of the new slogan, 'Strong and Free', is not political. It coincides with Alberta's provincial motto and the governing United Conservative Party's theme song. The existing licence plate design will remain, but with updated safety features. Albertans can now vote on eight design options, featuring photographs of Alberta's monuments and landscapes, and blue plate numbers instead of the current red.

The new licence plate design and slogan will be decided by Albertans through a public election. The process aims to reflect the province's identity and heritage while ensuring safety features are up-to-date. The final choice will replace the current design, which has been in use since 2005.