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Calgary Herald

Alberta NDP launches campaigns for all three byelections

The Alberta NDP is wasting no time after the province called byelections for three constituencies to be held at the end of June, kicking off campaigns on Thursday. Article content Article content Nominations for the races are open until June 5, but the Alberta NDP has already announced candidates for Edmonton-Strathcona, Edmonton-Ellerslie and Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills. Article content Edmonton-Strathcona has been vacant for nearly six months after former premier Rachel Notley stepped down as the constituency's MLA, making room for successor Naheed Nenshi to announce his candidacy for her old constituency. It's been nearly a year since Nenshi was elected as the Alberta NDP leader and, after being out of the legislature for two sittings, he might finally be getting a seat. Article content Article content 'It's time for people to be able to send a message to this government. It is a message that we don't have to settle for what they're doing. We don't have to settle for substandard public services. We don't have to settle for unbridled corruption. We don't have to settle for an incompetent government,' Nenshi said at the Thursday campaign launch. Article content Gurtej Singh Brar, the Alberta NDP candidate for Edmonton-Ellerslie, formerly held by NDP MLA Rod Loyola who stepped down in March to run for the federal Liberals, joined Nenshi at the launch. The former journalist said he's choosing to run to be a voice for Albertans. Article content 'I am a radio and TV host for the last 15 years and I know what people's feelings are, what they actually want from the government. That's not happening right now. That's why I'm here. I want to be their voice,' Brar said. Article content Article content The Alberta NDP have nominated Bev Toews for the Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills constituency, which was previously held by former Alberta Speaker Nathan Cooper who will be the new Alberta representative in Washington. Article content Article content 'Bev Toews is a daughter of Olds. She understands the community. She understands her neighbours. She's been working in schools for over 25 years, working to help local businesses grow, and is just a steward of that community,' Nenshi said. Article content Alberta Premier Danielle Smith announced on Monday that byelections for the three constituencies will be held on June 23. Smith previously told reporters she intended to call all three at the same time, despite calls from the Opposition to hold the Edmonton-Strathcona byelection sooner since it had been vacant the longest.