It’s known as the Wild Rose province, and, ironically, it's the Wildrose that could be the potential source of political upheaval in staid Alberta.

The Progressive Conservative Party of Alberta has ruled the province more than 40 years, but a young upstart, the Wildrose Party led by Danielle Smith, will be the biggest challenge in a provincial election expected to begin before the start of spring. The incumbent premier is the newly-named leader of the Alberta PC Party, Alison Redford. In a few short months since winning the party leadership in a closely-contested bid, Redford has infused her party with new popularity, and a new voter base – one that is much closer to the centre. Who will win the province this year? The disaffected right which has flocked to Smith and the Wildrose party, or the redefined Red Tories led by Redford?

This is the big question our Alberta political panel will discuss tonight. An added bonus: Premier Alison Redford herself will kick off the hour with an interview on her energy strategy for Canada, and the role of the oilsands and transcontinental pipelines in that vision.

Politics and Pipelines, tonight on The Agenda. I hope you watch, at 8:00 or 11:00 p.m., or visit our homepage at 8:00 p.m. for a live stream of the program – especially great if you happen to live in Alberta, and aren't able to watch TVO on television.

And please come back and let me know what you thought of the program, or drop me a line via Twitter.