The 2022 Fort McMurray-Lac La Biche by-election took place on March 15, 2022. The seat was left vacant on August 15, 2021, when incumbent MLA Laila Goodridge resigned to run in that year's federal election as the Conservative candidate in the riding of Fort McMurray—Cold Lake.[1]
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Seat of Fort McMurray-Lac La Biche | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Registered | 24,048 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Turnout | 24.27% ( 33.98 pp) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The by-election was won by former MLA Brian Jean of the United Conservative Party, who previously led the Wildrose Party before its merger with the Progressive Conservative Association of Alberta in 2017.
Background
editRiding profile
editResignation of Laila Goodridge
editOn August 14, 2021, incumbent Conservative MP for Fort McMurray—Cold Lake David Yurdiga decided not to seek re-election and communicated his decision to party leader Erin O'Toole the same day.[2] The announcement was made public on August 15, with a party spokesman citing health concerns for his decision.[2]
The same day, Lalia Goodridge resigned her seat in the Legislative Assembly and was chosen by the Conservative Party as Yurdiga's replacement.[3][1] Her appointment as candidate was criticized by party's local electoral district association in a Facebook post on August 20, stating the association was preparing to hold a nominating contest and was "blindsided" by the federal party's appointment.[4]
Results
editBrian Jean won the by-election in a landslide, retaining the seat for the United Conservative Party.[5]
| Alberta provincial by-election, 15 March 2022: Fort McMurray-Lac La Biche | ||||||||
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| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | ||||
| United Conservative | Brian Jean | 3,717 | 63.64 | -2.69 | ||||
| New Democratic | Ariana Mancini | 1,081 | 18.51 | -6.01 | ||||
| Wildrose Independence | Paul Hinman | 628 | 10.75 | – | ||||
| Liberal | Abdulhakim Hussein | 211 | 3.61 | – | ||||
| Alberta Party | Michelle Landsiedel | 98 | 1.68 | -4.10 | ||||
| Independent | Brian Deheer | 57 | 0.98 | –0.58 | ||||
| Alberta Advantage Party | Marilyn Burns | 25 | 0.43 | – | ||||
| Alberta Independence | Steven Mellott | 24 | 0.41 | -1.42 | ||||
| Total valid votes | 5,841 | 99.39 | ||||||
| Total rejected ballots | 36 | 0.61 | -0.02 | |||||
| Turnout | 5,877 | 23.99 | -34.26 | |||||
| Eligible voters | 24,501 | |||||||
| United Conservative hold | Swing | +1.66 | ||||||
References
edit- ^ a b Beamish, Laura (August 16, 2021). "Laila Goodridge running as Conservative MP candidate for Fort McMurray-Cold Lake, resigned as UCP MLA". Edmonton Journal. Archived from the original on August 16, 2021. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
- ^ a b McDermott, Vincent (August 15, 2021). "Yurdiga not seeking reelection as Conservative MP for Fort McMurray-Cold Lake". Fort McMurray Today. Archived from the original on August 15, 2021. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
- ^ French, Janet (August 16, 2021). "Laila Goodridge resigns seat as Fort McMurray MLA to run for federal Conservatives". CBC News. Archived from the original on August 16, 2021. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
- ^ Joannou, Ashley (August 20, 2021). "Fort McMurray board 'appalled' Laila Goodridge appointed to run for Conservatives in federal election". Edmonton Journal. Archived from the original on August 21, 2021. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
- ^ "Provincial Results". Elections Alberta. June 29, 2022. Archived from the original on June 29, 2022. Retrieved November 22, 2022.