Alberta NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi is running in Monday’s byelection for the Edmonton-Strathcona seat, one of three provincial races happening that day. The Canadian Press
Naheed Nenshi, leader of Alberta’s NDP, is now aiming for a seat in the provincial legislature. After nearly a year without one, he’s running in Edmonton-Strathcona. This seat was previously held by former premier Rachel Notley, who won it with 80% of the vote.
His main opponent is Darby Crouch from the United Conservative Party (UCP).
Three Byelections in Play
Nenshi’s race is one of three byelections happening in Alberta on Monday.
In Edmonton-Ellerslie, NDP candidate Gurtej Singh Brar hopes to keep the party strong in the city. But UCP’s Naresh Bhardwaj wants to shift momentum and claim the seat.
Another hot contest is in the rural riding of Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills. Here, Cameron Davies, leader of the Republican Party of Alberta, is running a strong campaign. He’s facing off against UCP’s Tara Sawyer, NDP’s Bev Toews, and Wildrose Loyalty Coalition’s Bill Tufts.
The seat opened after UCP MLA Nathan Cooper stepped down to become Alberta’s representative in Washington, D.C.
Separatist Ideas Stir Debate
The idea of Alberta leaving Canada is once again in the spotlight. This came after April’s federal election gave Prime Minister Mark Carney another term.
Premier Danielle Smith’s UCP government recently passed a new law. It makes it easier for voters to demand a referendum on separating from Canada.
While Smith says she supports staying in the country, she also believes people should have more say in important decisions.
Advance Voting and Turnout
So far, Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills has seen the highest advance voter turnout—13% of eligible voters have already cast their ballots.
Byelections usually see fewer voters than general elections. In 2023’s provincial vote, more than 60% of Albertans voted.
More Candidates in the Race
In Edmonton-Strathcona, the ballot is packed. Along with Nenshi and Crouch, the candidates include:
- Ravina Chand (Republican Party)
- Samuel Petrov (Alberta Party)
- Don Slater (Liberal)
- Jesse Stretch (Wildrose Loyalty Coalition)
Edmonton-Ellerslie also features a busy race. Other candidates are:
- Caroline Currie (Alberta Party)
- Pamela Henson (Wildrose Loyalty Coalition)
- Fred Munn (Republican Party)
- Manpreet Tiwana (Liberal)
This riding had been under NDP’s Rod Loyola until he stepped down to pursue a federal seat.
Voting Deadline
Polling stations in all three ridings will close at 8 p.m. Results will follow shortly after. These elections could shake up the current balance and bring new faces into the Alberta legislature.
