Calgary-Shaw byelection tomorrow: five candidates, polling stations open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Calgarians in Calgary-Shaw will vote Monday, September 14 to elect a new MLA for the riding vacated when Rebecca Schulz resigned earlier this year. Schulz, who represented the area since 2019 and served as Minister of Environment and Protected Areas until leaving cabinet in December, stepped down after representing the riding for seven years.

Polling stations open Monday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Five candidates are on the ballot: Mike Derry (UCP), Kyle Campbell (NDP), Kyle Joseph (Progressive Tory Party of Alberta), John Roggeveen (Alberta Liberals), and Rolly Ashdown (independent). The riding includes Chaparral, Legacy, Wolf Willow, Silverado, and Somerset.

Derry, a born-and-raised Calgarian and HR professional who has worked for Telus and Canadian Natural Resources and founded his own firm, said he sees affordability and school capacity as key voter concerns. "We need to continue to get better to plan so that we're not waiting till schools are at 100 per cent capacity," Derry said. He has also said separation comes up regularly in conversations with voters. "I've been very vocal, very loud saying I want Alberta to stay in Canada and we'll be fighting very hard for that."

Campbell, a fourth-generation Albertan and president of Somerset Residents Association, said a cancer diagnosis in 2023 opened his eyes to issues with the province's health-care system. "There's a rich history of Albertans, including in my own family, of stepping up and acting in the public good to advocate for the communities and do what's best for the neighbors around them. And I feel like now is the right time to take action," Campbell said.

As HighOnCity reported in August, Premier Danielle Smith set September 14 as the byelection date after nominations closed at 2 p.m. on August 27. The riding has traditionally voted conservative, though the NDP won Calgary-Shaw in 2015 when the party formed government.