Alberta by-elections announced in 3 districts, including where NDP leader will run

Albertans in three ridings will head to the polls on June 23, including the Edmonton-Strathcona riding, where NDP leader Naheed Nenshi will run.

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.

• Download our app to get Edmonton alerts on your device

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.

• Both major parties confirm nominations for undated Edmonton-Ellerslie by-election

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