The United Conservative Party (UCP) of Alberta has announced plans to redesign the province's iconic license plate, just a week after the Supreme Court of Canada decided to retire its traditional red robes. Premier Danielle Smith and Service Alberta Minister Dale Nally revealed the initiative on Wednesday, presenting Albertans with eight design options. The public will vote on these options in a tournament-style format over the next month to determine the final design.

Most of the proposed designs have drawn criticism for their lack of creativity. Seven out of the eight options feature blue text, which aligns with the color schemes of British Columbia and Ontario, moving away from the classic red type that has been in use for 42 years. While one option maintains the traditional red on white, the UCP appears to favor a blue-on-white design that could make Alberta plates less distinguishable from those of neighboring provinces. This change could complicate vehicle identification in police investigations, particularly in cases involving blurry dashcam footage.

The other six options incorporate photographs of Alberta's landscapes, including mountains, trees, and ranching scenes. Each design aims to showcase the province's natural beauty, but critics argue that the busy backgrounds detract from the text's visibility. The new plates will feature the slogan "Strong and Free," which is derived from the national anthem and also serves as the UCP's slogan. This choice has raised concerns among some Albertans who might prefer the previous slogan, "Wild Rose Country," which was used from 1973 to 2014.

Critics have noted that the proposed designs lack aesthetic appeal. The blue text often blends into the backgrounds, making it difficult to read. Additionally, the placement of the wild rose icon, which is intended to replace the hyphen, has been criticized for adding to the visual clutter. Many believe that photography does not belong on a license plate, as the small space cannot adequately showcase detailed images.

Minister Nally stated that the total cost of the redesign initiative is estimated at $50,000. However, some argue that a larger budget could have resulted in a more visually appealing design. The abandonment of traditional design elements has also sparked debate, as license plates serve as symbols of identity and pride for residents.

Previous designs, such as a concept created by Graphos Product in Edmonton in 2014, have been cited as examples of how to effectively represent Alberta's identity. This design featured illustrations of wheat and mountains while retaining the iconic red text. Critics suggest that the government should consider engaging professional designers or hosting a design competition to ensure a more appealing outcome.

As the voting process begins, many Albertans are left wondering what the future of their license plates will look like and whether the changes will truly reflect the province's identity or simply serve a political agenda.