Smith points to conservative vote split and low voter turnout for Calgary byelection loss

Sep 15, 2026 | 2:21 PM

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s office is blaming a stunning byelection loss in south Calgary on a conservative vote split. It’s also blaming low voter turnout.

Monday’s byelection saw the Opposition N-D-P beat out Smith’s United Conservative Party candidate by almost 600 votes.

It’s only the second time in four decades the N-D-P have won the seat, with the first in 2015 as part of the “orange wave” that brought former premier Rachel Notley to power.

This byelection was also the first to see former Smith cabinet minister Pete Guthrie field a candidate under his new Progressive Tory banner.

Guthrie’s candidate came in a distant third with just under one thousand votes, or six per cent of ballots cast.

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Conservative organizers and voices across the political spectrum say the upcoming referendum on whether Alberta should stay in Canada played more of a role in the byelection result.

Former U-C-P premier Jason Kenney says the October 19th referendum is alienating conservative voters who love Canada and pushing some into the arms of opponents like the N-D-P.

N-D-P Leader Naheed Nenshi says he heard from voters who are upset the referendum is happening and wanted to send Smith a message.

Guthrie also says he regularly heard concerns about the referendum and that Smith has lost support for appearing to side with separatists.

(The Canadian Press)

by The Canadian Press

Smith points to conservative vote split and low voter turnout for Calgary byelection loss

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