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Globe and Mail
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Globe and Mail
NDP's Nenshi will get chance to secure Alberta seat as Smith calls three by-elections
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has called three by-elections to take place on June 23. The three vacant ridings are Edmonton-Strathcona, Edmonton-Ellerslie and Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills. Alberta NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi will run in Edmonton-Strathcona, which became vacant when former premier Rachel Notley resigned her seat late last year. It'll be Mr. Nenshi's first chance at getting a seat in the legislature since taking the party reins last summer. In an e-mail, NDP executive director Garett Spelliscy criticized Ms. Smith for waiting as long as she did to call Mr. Nenshi's by-election. Ms. Smith, in a statement, said her own candidates are up for the challenge. 'We need strong local leaders who will defend this province and get things done – and that's exactly what our UCP candidates will do,' she said. Facing off against Mr. Nenshi in Edmonton-Strathcona, which has voted NDP in 11 of the past 12 general elections dating back to 1986, will be United Conservative Party candidate Darby Crouch, who has worked as a government press secretary. In a statement Monday, the party described Crouch as a communications professional with experience in public service. Danielle Smith shuffles cabinet, makes major changes to health care roles 'I'm committed to Edmonton-Strathcona and to the people who live here. I'm ready to listen, show up and work hard every day for this community,' Mr. Crouch said. Besides candidates from Alberta's two main parties, Alberta Republican Party Leader Cam Davies is also running in Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills. A long-time conservative activist and organizer, Mr. Davies has become a key figure in Alberta's renewed separatist movement following last month's federal election. He said Monday that he's going into the by-election with a sense of momentum. 'Albertans are ready for change,' he said. 'They're ready to send a strong message.' Mr. Davies said even if he comes up short of winning, any result will be a sign of growth for the movement. The Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills riding became vacant earlier this month when Nathan Cooper, the former legislature Speaker and a long-time United Conservative representative, resigned to become Alberta's delegate in Washington, D.C. The Premier appointed Tara Sawyer, a farmer and former chair of the Grain Growers of Canada, to run under the United Conservative banner in the riding. The party's statement described Ms. Sawyer as a 'respected rural advocate' who would give farmers a strong voice at the table. The NDP has yet to announce its candidate, but a party spokesperson said one would be announced this week. Edmonton-Ellerslie became vacant in March when third-term NDP member Rod Loyola resigned to run for Mark Carney's Liberals in last month's federal election. The NDP's candidate for the riding is Gurtej Singh Brar. 'With strong local roots and a commitment to public service, he's ready to be a strong representative for Edmonton-Ellerslie in the legislature,' the NDP said earlier this month when Mr. Brar won the candidacy nomination. Facing Mr. Brar will be Naresh Bhardwaj, a former Alberta Progressive Conservative associate cabinet minister, who was first elected under the PC banner in 2008 and was re-elected in 2012. In 2013, then-premier Jim Prentice named Mr. Bhardwaj associate minister of persons with disabilities. He withdrew his candidacy heading into the 2015 election after being accused of bribing another prospective Progressive Conservative candidate not to run against him for the nomination. The party cleared him of any wrongdoing after an internal investigation, and the Edmonton Police Service closed its own investigation that fall without laying any charges.
CTV News
26-05-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
Alberta by-elections announced in 3 districts, including where NDP leader will run
Alberta NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi can be seen at a press conference in Edmonton on April 30, 2025. (Sean McClune/CTV News Edmonton) Voters in Edmonton and Olds will take to the polls in June following the issue of writs for Edmonton-Ellerslie, Edmonton-Strathcona and Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills. The announcement comes after three orders in council were approved Monday afternoon. Election day is June 23 with advanced polls opening on June 17 to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta. On Dec. 30, 2024, NDP leader Rachel Notley stepped down, freeing up the stronghold position in Edmonton-Strathcona. Current party leader Naheed Nenshi announced that he will be running in her place earlier this year. Darby Crouch will run in Edmonton-Strathcona for the UCP. Gurtej Singh Brar was nominated as the NDP candidate for Edmonton-Ellerslie following a vote on May 14. Naresh Bhardwaj, who served as MLA for Edmonton-Ellerslie from 2008 to 2015, will seek to return to the position after winning the UCP nomination on May 3. Bhardwaj withdrew from the 2015 general election after being accused – and cleared by the Progressive Conservative Party's investigation – of bribery. In Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills, Tara Sawyer will run for the UCP. An NDP candidate will be chosen on June 14. 'These candidates understand what's at stake,' said UCP leader Danielle Smith in a statement Monday. 'We need strong local leaders who will defend this province and get things done — and that's exactly what our UCP candidates will do." With files from CTV News Edmonton's Alex Antoneshyn
