Alberta remained a Conservative stronghold in the federal election, what happened to the Liberals and NDP?
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Alberta was a sea of blue with a speck or two of orange and red in the 2025 federal election with the Conservatives picking up 34 of the 37 seats in the province.
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Throughout the five-week campaign, polls suggested there was a chance the federal Liberals would finally break through the long-time Conservative stronghold, but ultimately failed to do so. The final result of the federal election in Alberta ended with the Conservatives regaining two ridings held by Liberal and NDP incumbents.
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Postmedia spoke to Colin Aitchison, Western Canada director at communications firm Enterprise Canada and a former UCP staffer, to discuss why the federal NDP and Liberals failed to break through in Alberta, the role of split votes and why the province remains predominantly blue.
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Canadians were expecting a tight race this federal election and, in Alberta specifically, several ridings were thought to potentially flip to the Liberal party.
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Aitchison said Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and his party were able to appeal to the 'traditional' Alberta Conservative base. He said Albertans have felt disenfranchised by the federal Liberals, despite a change in leadership with Liberal Leader Mark Carney and his positive reception from many Canadians.
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Over the years, some Albertans have felt federal policies are often geared towards Quebec or Ontario and feel that Liberal governments are not pro-energy or resource development — two industries that drive Alberta's economy, according to Aitchison.
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'They often see election results, except for this time around, decided before they even start counting ballots in Alberta and they feel that their role in Canada's Confederation, not to use Jason Kenney language, but they feel like they haven't been getting a fair deal,' Aitchison said.
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'I think that's why we see time and time again, Conservative voters really coalescing and voting conservative federally, because they feel that that is the only party that will get those policies done rightfully or wrongfully.'
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