Three Alberta byelections will be held on June 23rd in Edmonton-Strathcona, Edmonton-Ellerslie, and Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills. The Edmonton-Strathcona seat, previously held by Rachel Notley, will see a high-profile contest between NDP leader Naheed Nenshi and UCP candidate Darby Crouch. Edmonton-Ellerslie, vacated by Rod Loyola, will feature a race between the NDP’s Gurtej Singh Brar and former PC MLA Naresh Bhadwaj of the UCP, alongside a candidate from the Alberta Republican Party. Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills is being vacated by Nathan Cooper, with UCP leader Danielle Smith appointing Tara Sawyer as the candidate. The NDP’s candidate will be Bev Toews, while the Alberta Republican Party’s leader, Cameron Davies, is also running in the conservative stronghold. These byelections will fill the three vacant seats in a legislature currently composed of 46 UCP MLAs, 36 NDP members, and two independents. Nominations for all three races close on June 5th.
Alberta is redrawing its electoral boundaries in response to rapid population growth, which has pushed the province past five million residents. A new Electoral Boundaries Commission has launched public consultations ahead of adding two new ridings, which will increase the total number of MLAs from 87 to 89. Hearings began May 29th, with a draft map expected in October along with a final version in March 2026. The Commission, chaired by Justice Dallas Miller, includes bipartisan appointed members from the UCP and NDP. Major urban centres like Calgary and Edmonton have seen growth exceeding 40% in some ridings, while others have declined. Legislative changes now allow ridings to cross city boundaries, raising concerns about urban-rural splits. The Commission will attempt to balance population parity with fair representation. This is Alberta’s first boundary review since 2017 and will shape the next provincial election. Written submissions from the public are encouraged as part of the consultation process.
The release of the independent report on Alberta Health Services (AHS) procurement practices has been delayed. Initially due on May 30th, investigation leader (and former Manitoba judge) Raymond Wyant requested extra time to complete his work, and the interim report will now be provided to the government on September 24th, with a final report expected by October 15th. The investigation, focused on AHS’s pharmaceutical purchases and chartered surgical services, has been slowed by the volume of documents and interviews involved. The delay comes amid ongoing RCMP and Auditor General investigations and follows whistleblower allegations tied to a $1.7 million wrongful dismissal suit. Critics, including NDP leader Naheed Nenshi, have called for a public inquiry, arguing that the current review lacks transparency.
The Alberta government is rejecting a new report that gave the province a D+ grade on affordable housing, calling it politically driven and misleading. The report, commissioned by the Task Force for Housing and Climate, praised reforms in Calgary and Edmonton but criticized the provincial government for lacking investment in social housing and not addressing climate and regulatory issues. Alberta officials dismissed the report as biased, highlighting the province’s record housing starts and affordability levels. Critics of the report, including industry leaders, argued it focused too much on opinions on policy over actual housing outcomes. Meanwhile, supporters such as student advocates and housing organizations say the report highlights real problems, especially for vulnerable populations. Opposition MLAs and municipal leaders called on the province to take the recommendations seriously and collaborate with other levels of government.
A new CBC News poll shows that Premier Danielle Smith and the United Conservative Party continue to enjoy strong support two years into their mandate, with 52% of decided and leaning voters backing the UCP. The poll suggests the UCP would win 61 seats if an election were held today, while NDP support has weakened, particularly in Edmonton and among younger voters. Despite public concerns about controversial policies like an Alberta-only pension plan and health system reforms, Smith’s personal approval rating has slightly improved since last year. In contrast, new NDP leader Naheed Nenshi is struggling to gain traction, with 40% of respondents unimpressed and a general perception that he is ideologically too far left. While Smith performs better among men and middle-aged voters, the NDP still holds a lead among women.
Premier Danielle Smith and a delegation of Alberta ministers will travel to Washington, DC from June 2nd to 7th to promote Alberta as a leader in responsible and innovative energy development. The mission aims to strengthen North American energy partnerships and expand Alberta’s market access, particularly for ethically produced oil, gas, and minerals. Smith emphasized the importance of the US as Alberta’s top trading partner and highlighted the province’s role in supporting secure and reliable energy for global markets. Ministers Brian Jean and Nathan Neudorf stressed Alberta’s value in reducing reliance on resources from conflict zones and attracting investors through a competitive, business-friendly environment. Parliamentary Secretary Chantelle de Jonge noted the importance of cross-border collaboration to unlock mutual benefits in the energy sector. This visit builds on the momentum from Alberta’s participation in CERAWeek and is part of a broader strategy to navigate global trade and geopolitical complexities. The government also pointed to Alberta’s Emissions Reduction and Energy Development Plan as a foundation for sustainable growth.
