Alberta Primetime’s Michael Higgins sits down with newly elected Calgary-Shaw New Democrat MLA Kyle Campbell about his narrow win and what constituents can expect ahead of next year’s general election. This article has been edited for length and clarity. Michael Higgins: What was it about your campaign that you feel connected with voters? Why go NDP instead of sticking with the governing party? Kyle Campbell: I am really pleased that our campaign focused on the core issues that are affecting everyday Albertans. That’s affordability, the status of our education system, and of course, the long waits in health care and the uncertainty that it drives for people who seek care. These three themes came up so frequently, and then, of course, always accompanied by a deep concern about the referendum. MH: At the end of the day though, what made this such an incredibly close race? Five-hundred eighty-two ballots – that’s not a whole lot. KC: I credit the amazing leadership of Naheed Nenshi for putting together a fantastic team. We had volunteers from all over the city that believe the Alberta NDP is the best option for government in Alberta. I think voters really had to think about how many of the candidates were speaking about the same things, the same primary issues, but they had to decide who they trust to actually deliver on these things. They can look back at the last seven years and the status of their own life as they send their kids to school just two weeks ago, and say that this current government is failing them, and the Alberta NDP is who they can trust to deliver on what matters most. MH: How challenging was it to connect with voters given the timing of this byelection? KC: I found folks actually really receptive. As soon as they realized that someone who wanted to represent them but first wanted to listen and understand, I was deeply touched actually by people telling me their own personal stories of what they’re struggling with, how they wish they could receive help from the government, or what the government should be doing better to actually deliver on the promises that they’ve made. People, I found, were very open. MH: In electing you, what message do you see voters in Calgary-Shaw sending to the Smith government? KC: I think it’s a resounding message about priorities. Our current UCP government has made referendum and separatism a priority. They’ve crafted nine other referendum questions that do not resonate with voters. They seem to be pushing off our province’s financial difficulties when they can’t manage their own budgets onto immigrants or to remove us from the Canadian Constitution. People here are proud Canadians just like myself, and they really want us to focus on the rising cost of living and the piling up of bills. They really want to see schools built in their communities. Every single Calgary-Shaw resident is pretty well-equipped to point directly to where the empty grass fields are, where their kids should be going to school, and of course, so many folks waiting 18 months, two years for medical treatments. That should not be happening. MH: Naheed Nenshi was pretty emphatic about how the referendum factored into this situation. On the campaign trail, how dominant was the issue of separation? What did voters reflect to you about the October referendum? KC: I heard multiple folks say, ‘I voted Conservative my entire life, and I cannot in this byelection because I cannot support a separatist government.’ It was an undercurrent in every conversation. Rarely was it the leading line item, but it was always lurking in the background. MH: What needs to be your party’s takeaway from this outcome, where a potential path to winning next year’s general election is concerned? I realize you’re kind of a rookie in this whole fray of politics, but are there lessons to be learned that you see your party taking forward to October of next year? KC: I think our clear messaging on what we are going to do for Albertans is what really drove this campaign over the top. In my many conversations with Naheed Nenshi about what we’re doing for folks specifically here in Calgary-Shaw and his frequent presence here, really drove home that we are here to represent people. If we ran a campaign that is based on what we can do better, what hope can we give people? It wasn’t grievance politics. It wasn’t rehashing the past. It’s looking to the future and saying, with the tremendous energy, resources, and talent that Alberta has, how are we going to transform this province for the future? Not just for now, but for our children and grandchildren. MH: What should residents, voters in your new riding expect of you now joining opposition benches in the legislature? How active do you get? KC: Extremely. I had just heard so many people with so many deep concerns – it was just resounding and overwhelming. I need to hold a megaphone to the residents of Calgary-Shaw because they are so clear about what they need and how bad policy is. There is friction in their life, keeping them from living their best lives, from sinking their roots as deep as possible into Alberta. I had many Calgary-Shaw residents say, ‘This referendum has given me pause and cause for concern about keeping my family in Alberta.’ How shocking is that? We welcomed immigrants from across the world and across the country, and all of a sudden, because of our government’s actions, people are wondering about their future in this province. We can’t have that. Top talent will flee, and what does that say for the future of Alberta? So I think what I need to focus on personally, is making sure that good people know there is a place for them here, and they should sink their roots in.
