Last November, The Alberta Government put up a license plate survey asking Albertans if they wanted to keep the existing “Wild Rose Country” slogan on our license plates. The survey also included questions to see whether we supported bringing back the front license plates, color schemes, as well as the design of the plate itself.

Beyond.ca members vehomently opposed bringing back the front license plates as they ruin the asthetics of our front bumpers and provide no real value, and besides it costs more to make two plates for every car! Forum members encouraged other members to vote to ensure that the front plates were not brought back and it looks like it may have worked! Its impossible to conclusively say whether the number of beyond members voting had any real impact on the results but from what the survey results show, I’d say beyond.ca members may have skewed the outcome :)

Nearly 34,000 responses to the survey were received by the Government, mostly men. Calgary was also the source of most of the responses (hmm!). 35% of internet survey respondents liked the “Wild Rose Country” slogan, but when the Government did a telephone survey of 1,000 Albertans a staggering 74% liked the “Wild Rose Country” slogan.

In addition to the slogan change, the colors and design will also change. The province will consider offering custom designs with the images of certain sports teams or other organizations (affinity plates). If given the opportunity to, Beyond.ca will definitely submit a member chosen design. The unveiling of the design will occur in early 2009 and the roll out of the new license plate designs will begin in mid 2009. The new license plates will cost taxpayers $11.7 Million.

Survey Results:

• In the online survey, 74% supported a new plate design.
• In the public opinion poll, 51% said the province should introduce a new plate design.

• In the online survey, 36% supported a visual theme with mountains.
• In the public opinion poll, 57% want a graphic on the plate and the most popular graphic was mountains or the wild rose.

• In the online survey, 46% preferred Strong and Free, 34% preferred Wild Rose Country, and 20% suggested other mottos.
• In the public opinion poll, 74% liked Wild Rose Country.

• In the online survey, 61% supported the province offering the option of affinity plates.
• In the public opinion poll, 65% thought the province should offer the option of affinity plates.

• In the online survey, 80% did not support a front plate being reintroduced.
• In the public opinion poll, 60% did not support a front licence plate being reintroduced.

For more information, or to view the detailed report visit The Alberta License Plate Consultation website