NDP wins south Calgary byelection by nearly 600 votes over UCP
Premier Danielle Smith's office blames a conservative vote split and low turnout for the loss, while critics point to the upcoming independence referendum.
Why it matters
The result signals possible political fallout from Smith's referendum on Alberta's future in Canada ahead of the October 19 vote.
Alberta's Opposition NDP won Monday's byelection in south Calgary, defeating Premier Danielle Smith's United Conservative Party candidate by nearly 600 votes. Smith's office attributed the loss to a split conservative vote and low voter turnout.
The riding has gone NDP only twice in four decades, the first time in 2015 during the wave that elected former premier Rachel Notley. This byelection marked the first electoral test for former UCP cabinet minister Pete Guthrie's new Progressive Tory party, whose candidate finished a distant third with just under 1,000 votes, or six per cent of the total.
Several political figures across the spectrum said the October 19 referendum on Alberta's future in Canada was a bigger factor than vote-splitting. Former UCP premier Jason Kenney said the referendum is alienating conservative voters who support staying in Canada, pushing some toward the NDP.
NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi said voters told him they were upset about the referendum and wanted to send Smith a message. Guthrie said he frequently heard concerns about the referendum during the campaign and argued Smith has lost support by appearing to side with separatists.
Compiled by the Alberta Daily Desk — an AI-written summary of reporting from the credited sources below, produced and reviewed under our editorial policy.