List of Alberta by-elections

The list of Alberta by-elections includes every by-election held in the Canadian province of Alberta. By-elections occur whenever there is a vacancy in the Legislative Assembly, although an imminent general election may allow the vacancy to remain until the dissolution of parliament. Until 1926 incumbent members were required to recontest their seats upon being appointed to Cabinet. These Ministerial by-elections were almost always uncontested.

31st Legislative Assembly of Alberta 2023–present

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By-election Date Incumbent Party Winner Party Cause Retained
Lethbridge-West TBA Shannon Phillips      New Democratic TBD TBD Resigned for personal reasons. TBD

30th Legislative Assembly of Alberta 2019–2023

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By-election Date Incumbent Party Winner Party Cause Retained
Brooks-Medicine Hat November 8, 2022 Michaela Frey      United Conservative Danielle Smith      United Conservative Resigned to provide a seat for new UCP leader and Premier of Alberta, Danielle Smith. Yes
Fort McMurray-Lac La Biche March 15, 2022 Laila Goodridge      United Conservative Brian Jean      United Conservative Resigned to run federally in Fort McMurray—Cold Lake; elected. Yes

29th Legislative Assembly of Alberta 2015–2019

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By-election Date Incumbent Party Winner Party Cause Retained
Fort McMurray-Conklin July 12, 2018 Brian Jean      United Conservative Laila Goodridge United Conservative Resigned several months after losing the UCP leadership election to Jason Kenney. Yes
Innisfail-Sylvan Lake July 12, 2018 Don MacIntyre      United Conservative Devin Dreeshen United Conservative Resigned after being charged with sexual interference with a minor.[1] Yes
Calgary-Lougheed December 14, 2017 Dave Rodney      United Conservative Jason Kenney      United Conservative Resigned to provide a seat for new UCP leader Jason Kenney Yes
Calgary-Greenway March 22, 2016 Manmeet Bhullar      Progressive Conservative Prabhdeep Gill      Progressive Conservative Killed in highway accident Yes
Calgary-Foothills September 3, 2015 Jim Prentice      Progressive Conservative Prasad Panda      Wildrose Disclaimed seat and resigned as party leader following government's defeat in general election No

28th Legislative Assembly of Alberta 2012–2015

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By-election Date Incumbent Party Winner Party Cause Retained
Calgary-West October 27, 2014 Ken Hughes      Progressive Conservative Mike Ellis      Progressive Conservative Resignation Yes
Calgary-Foothills October 27, 2014 Len Webber      Independent Jim Prentice      Progressive Conservative Resignation to run federally. Independent MLA originally elected as PC. No
Edmonton-Whitemud October 27, 2014 Dave Hancock      Progressive Conservative Stephen Mandel      Progressive Conservative Resignation Yes
Calgary-Elbow October 27, 2014 Alison Redford      Progressive Conservative Gordon Dirks      Progressive Conservative Resignation Yes

27th Legislative Assembly of Alberta 2008–2012

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By-election Date Incumbent Party Winner Party Cause Retained
Calgary-Glenmore September 14, 2009 Ron Stevens      Progressive Conservative Paul Hinman      Wildrose Alliance Resignation to be appointed a judge No

26th Legislative Assembly of Alberta 2004–2008

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By-election Date Incumbent Party Winner Party Cause Retained
Drumheller-Stettler June 12, 2007 Shirley McClellan      Progressive Conservative Jack Hayden      Progressive Conservative Resignation Yes
Calgary-Elbow June 12, 2007 Ralph Klein      Progressive Conservative Craig Cheffins      Liberal Resignation No

25th Legislative Assembly of Alberta 2001–2004

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By-election Date Incumbent Party Winner Party Cause Retained
Wainwright April 8, 2002 Robert Fischer      Progressive Conservative Doug Griffiths      Progressive Conservative Resignation Yes

24th Legislative Assembly of Alberta 1997–2001

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By-election Date Incumbent Party Winner Party Cause Retained
Red Deer-North September 25, 2000 Stockwell Day      Progressive Conservative Mary Anne Jablonski      Progressive Conservative Resignation to run federally Yes
Edmonton-Highlands June 12, 2000 Pam Barrett      New Democratic Brian Mason      New Democratic Resignation Yes
Edmonton McClung June 17, 1998 Grant Mitchell      Liberal Nancy MacBeth      Liberal Resignation Yes

23rd Legislative Assembly of Alberta 1993–1997

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By-election Date Incumbent Party Winner Party Cause Retained
Redwater May 21, 1996 Nicholas Taylor      Liberal Mary Anne Balsillie      Liberal Appointed to the Senate Yes
Calgary-McCall April 20, 1995 Harry Sohal      Progressive Conservative Shiraz Shariff      Progressive Conservative Death Yes

22nd Legislative Assembly of Alberta 1989–1993

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By-election Date Incumbent Party Winner Party Cause Retained
Three Hills October 26, 1992 Connie Osterman      Progressive Conservative Don MacDonald      Liberal Resignation No
Calgary-Buffalo July 21, 1992 Sheldon Chumir      Liberal Gary Dickson      Liberal Death Yes
Little Bow March 5, 1992 Raymond Speaker      Progressive Conservative Barry McFarland      Progressive Conservative Resignation Yes
Edmonton-Strathcona December 17, 1990 Gordon Wright      New Democratic Barrie Chivers      New Democratic Death Yes
Stettler May 9, 1989 Brian C. Downey      Progressive Conservative Don Getty      Progressive Conservative Resignation to provide a seat for Premier Getty, after he lost his seat in the general election. Yes

21st Legislative Assembly of Alberta 1986–1989

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By-election Date Incumbent Party Winner Party Cause Retained
Chinook November 23, 1987 Henry Kroeger      Progressive Conservative Shirley McClellan      Progressive Conservative Death Yes

20th Legislative Assembly of Alberta 1982–1986

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By-election Date Incumbent Party Winner Party Cause Retained
Edmonton-Whitemud December 11, 1985 Robert Keith Alexander      Progressive Conservative Don Getty      Progressive Conservative Resignation to provide a seat for Premier Getty after his election as PC leader. Yes
Spirit River-Fairview February 21, 1985 Grant Notley      New Democratic Jim Gurnett      New Democratic Death (airplane crash) Yes

19th Legislative Assembly of Alberta 1979–1982

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By-election Date Incumbent Party Winner Party Cause Retained
Olds-Didsbury February 17, 1982 Robert C. Clark      Social Credit Gordon Kesler      Western Canada Concept Resignation No
Barrhead November 21, 1979 Hugh Horner      Progressive Conservative Ken Kowalski      Progressive Conservative Resignation Yes

18th Legislative Assembly of Alberta 1975–1979

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no by-elections

17th Legislative Assembly of Alberta 1971–1975

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By-election Date Incumbent Party Winner Party Cause Retained
Calgary-Foothills June 25, 1973 Len Werry      Progressive Conservative Stewart McCrae      Progressive Conservative Death Yes
Stettler February 14, 1972 Jack Robertson      Progressive Conservative Graham Harle      Progressive Conservative Death Yes

16th Legislative Assembly of Alberta 1967–1971

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By-election Date Incumbent Party Winner Party Cause Retained
Edson October 28, 1969 William Switzer      Liberal Robert Wagner Dowling      Progressive Conservative Death No
Strathcona East February 10, 1969 Ernest Manning      Social Credit William Yurko      Progressive Conservative Resignation concurrent with his retirement as Premier. No
Lac La Biche August 20, 1968 Michael Maccagno      Liberal Damase Bouvier      Social Credit Resignation to run federally No

15th Legislative Assembly of Alberta 1963–1967

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By-election Date Incumbent Party Winner Party Cause Retained
Pincher Creek-Crowsnest October 6, 1966 William Kovach      Social Credit Garth Turcott      New Democratic Death No
Edson March 29, 1965 Norman Willmore      Social Credit William Switzer      Liberal Death No
Three Hills January 20, 1964 Petrie Meston      Social Credit Roy Davidson      Social Credit Death Yes

14th Legislative Assembly of Alberta 1959–1963

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By-election Date Incumbent Party Winner Party Cause Retained
Bonnyville November 27, 1961 Karl Nordstrom      Social Credit Romeo Lamothe      Social Credit Death Yes
Peace River October 26, 1961 William Gilliland      Social Credit Euell Montgomery      Social Credit Death Yes
Medicine Hat January 19, 1961 Elizabeth G. Robinson      Social Credit Harry Leinweber      Social Credit Death Yes
Didsbury November 30, 1960 James Lawrence Owens      Social Credit Robert Curtis Clark      Social Credit Death Yes

13th Legislative Assembly of Alberta 1955–1959

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By-election Date Incumbent Party Winner Party Cause Retained
Olds February 9, 1959 Frederick Niddrie      Social Credit Roderick Macleod      Social Credit Death Yes
Calgary October 2, 1957 Arthur Ryan Smith      Conservative Ernest Watkins      Conservative Resignation to run federally Yes
Stettler November 15, 1956 John Etter Clark      Social Credit Galen Norris      Social Credit Death (Committed suicide after murdering seven people) Yes

12th Legislative Assembly of Alberta 1952–1955

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By-election Date Incumbent Party Winner Party Cause Retained
Red Deer February 15, 1954 David A. Ure      Social Credit Cam Kirby      Conservative Death No
Medicine Hat December 21, 1953 John Lyle Robinson      Social Credit Elizabeth G. Robinson      Social Credit Death Yes

11th Legislative Assembly of Alberta 1948–1952

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By-election Date Incumbent Party Winner Party Cause Retained
Grouard June 21, 1951 John Barrett Wood      Social Credit Joseph Desfosses      Liberal Resignation No
Olds November 16, 1950 Norman E. Cook      Social Credit Frederick Niddrie      Social Credit Death Yes

10th Legislative Assembly of Alberta 1944–1948

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By-election Date Incumbent Party Winner Party Cause Retained
Warner August 6, 1945 Solon Earl Low      Social Credit Leonard Halmrast      Social Credit Resignation to run federally Yes

9th Legislative Assembly of Alberta 1940–1944

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By-election Date Incumbent Party Winner Party Cause Retained
Red Deer December 16, 1943 Alfred Speakman      Independent David A. Ure      Social Credit Death No
Edmonton September 22, 1942 David Milwyn Duggan      Independent Elmer Ernest Roper      Cooperative Commonwealth Death No
Camrose February 6, 1941 David Bertrum Mullen      Social Credit Chester Sayers      Social Credit Death Yes
Vegreville June 20, 1940† George Woytkiw      Social Credit Solon Earl Low      Social Credit Resignation to provide a seat for Low Yes

† Won by acclamation

8th Legislative Assembly of Alberta 1935–1940

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By-election Date Incumbent Party Winner Party Cause Retained
Athabasca November 7, 1938 Charles Cathmer Ross      Social Credit Clarence Tade      Social Credit Death Yes
Lethbridge December 2, 1937 Hans Wight      Social Credit Peter M. Campbell      Unity Resignation No
Edmonton October 7, 1937 George Van Allen      Liberal Edward Leslie Gray      Liberal Death Yes
Grouard December 7, 1936 Leonidas Giroux      Liberal Joseph Tremblay      Liberal Death Yes
Edmonton June 22, 1936 William R. Howson      Liberal Walter Morrish      Liberal Appointed a judge Yes
Okotoks-High River November 4, 1935† William Morrison      Social Credit William Aberhart      Social Credit Resignation to provide a seat for Aberhart Yes
Athabasca November 4, 1935† Clarence Tade      Social Credit Charles Cathmer Ross      Social Credit Resignation to provide a seat for Ross Yes

† Won by acclamation

7th Legislative Assembly of Alberta 1930–1935

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By-election Date Incumbent Party Winner Party Cause Retained
Calgary January 15, 1934 George Harry Webster      Liberal William Henry Ross      Liberal Death Yes
Calgary January 19, 1933 Harold McGill      Conservative Norman Hindsley      Independent Appointed Superintendent-General of Indian Affairs No
Camrose October 25, 1932 Vernor Smith      United Farmers Chester Ronning      United Farmers Death Yes
Red Deer November 16, 1931 George Wilbert Smith      United Farmers William Ernest Payne      Conservative Death No
Edmonton January 9, 1931 Charles Yardley Weaver      Conservative Frederick Jamieson      Conservative Death Yes

6th Legislative Assembly of Alberta 1926–1930

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By-election Date Incumbent Party Winner Party Cause Retained
Medicine Hat May 1, 1928 Charles Pingle      Liberal Hector Lang      Liberal Death Yes

5th Legislative Assembly of Alberta 1921–1926

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By-election Date Incumbent Party Winner Party Cause Retained
Medicine Hat September 29, 1925 William Johnston      Dominion Labor Charles Pingle      Liberal Death No
Edmonton October 27, 1924 John R. Boyle      Liberal William Thomas Henry      Liberal Resignation. Appointed a judge Yes
Grouard July 11, 1924 Jean Côté      Liberal Leonidas Giroux      Liberal Resignation. Appointed to the Senate Yes
Calgary January 15, 1923 Robert Chambers Edwards      Independent William McCartney Davidson      Independent Death Yes
Whitford July 10, 1922 Andrew Shandro      Liberal Mike Chornohus      United Farmers Result of previous election voided. No
Sedgewick July 10, 1922† Charles Stewart      Liberal Albert Andrews      United Farmers Resignation. Appointed to the federal cabinet No
Ribstone July 10, 1922 Charles O. Wright      United Farmers William Farquharson      United Farmers Death Yes
Vermilion December 9, 1921† Richard Gavin Reid      United Farmers Richard Gavin Reid      United Farmers Sought re-election upon appointment as Minister of Health and Municipal Affairs Yes
Ponoka December 9, 1921† Percival Baker      United Farmers John Edward Brownlee      United Farmers Death Yes
Peace River December 9, 1921† Donald MacBeth Kennedy      United Farmers Herbert Greenfield      United Farmers Resignation to provide a seat for Premier Greenfield and to run federally Yes
Okotoks December 9, 1921† George Hoadley      United Farmers George Hoadley      United Farmers Sought re-election upon appointment as Minister of Agriculture Yes
Medicine Hat December 9, 1921† Perren Baker      United Farmers Perren Baker      United Farmers Sought re-election upon appointment as Minister of Education Yes
Camrose December 9, 1921† Vernor Smith      United Farmers Vernor Smith      United Farmers Sought re-election upon appointment as Minister of Railways and Telephones Yes
Calgary December 9, 1921† Alex Ross      Dominion Labor Alex Ross      Dominion Labor Sought re-election upon appointment as Minister of Public Works Yes

† Won by acclamation

4th Legislative Assembly of Alberta 1917–1921

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By-election Date Incumbent Party Winner Party Cause Retained
Athabasca June 3, 1920 Alexander Grant MacKay      Liberal George Mills      Liberal Death Yes
Cochrane November 3, 1919 Charles W. Fisher      Liberal Alexander Moore      United Farmers Death No
Red Deer October 28, 1918 Edward Michener      Conservative John Gaetz      Liberal Appointed to the Senate No
Grouard October 21, 1918† Jean Côté      Liberal Jean Côté      Liberal Sought reelection upon appointment as Provincial Secretary Yes
Athabasca September 27, 1918† Alexander Grant MacKay      Liberal Alexander Grant MacKay      Liberal Sought reelection upon appointment as Minister of Municipal Affairs Yes
Vermilion November 19, 1917† Arthur Sifton      Liberal Arthur Ebbett      Liberal Appointed to the federal cabinet Yes
Camrose November 9, 1917 George P. Smith      Liberal George P. Smith      Liberal Sought reelection upon appointment as Provincial Secretary Yes

† Won by acclamation

3rd Legislative Assembly of Alberta 1913–1917

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By-election Date Incumbent Party Winner Party Cause Retained
Whitford March 15, 1915 Andrew Shandro      Liberal Andrew Shandro      Liberal Void Election Yes
Wetaskiwin November 17, 1914 Charles H. Olin      Liberal Hugh John Montgomery      Liberal Death Yes
Beaver River December 15, 1913† Wilfrid Gariépy      Liberal Wilfrid Gariépy      Liberal Sought reelection upon appointment as Minister of Municipal Affairs Yes
Bow Valley June 12, 1913† George Lane      Liberal Charles Richmond Mitchell      Liberal Resignation to provide a seat for Mitchell Yes

† Won by acclamation

2nd Legislative Assembly of Alberta 1909–1913

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By-election Date Incumbent Party Winner Party Cause Retained
Sturgeon May 27, 1912 John R. Boyle      Liberal John R. Boyle      Liberal Sought reelection upon appointment as Minister of Education Yes
Sedgewick May 27, 1912 Charles Stewart      Liberal Charles Stewart      Liberal Sought reelection upon appointment as Minister of Municipal Affairs Yes
Edmonton May 27, 1912 Charles Wilson Cross      Liberal Charles Wilson Cross      Liberal Sought reelection upon appointment as Attorney General Yes
Claresholm May 27, 1912 Malcolm McKenzie      Liberal Malcolm McKenzie      Liberal Sought reelection upon appointment as Provincial Treasurer Yes
Cardston May 27, 1912 John William Woolf      Liberal Martin Woolf      Liberal Resignation Yes
Pincher Creek October 31, 1911 David Warnock      Liberal John Kemmis      Conservative Resignation to run federally No
Lethbridge City October 31, 1911 William Ashbury Buchanan      Liberal John Smith Stewart      Conservative Resignation to run federally No
Gleichen October 31, 1911 Archibald J. McArthur      Liberal Harold Riley      Conservative Death No
Calgary October 31, 1911 R. B. Bennett      Conservative Thomas Tweedie      Conservative Resignation to run federally Yes
Macleod October 3, 1910 Colin Genge      Liberal Robert Patterson      Farmers* Death No
Gleichen October 3, 1910 Ezra Riley      Liberal Archibald J. McArthur      Liberal Sought reelection in protest against the leadership of the Liberal Party Yes
Vermilion June 29, 1910 Archibald Campbell      Liberal Arthur Sifton      Liberal Resignation to provide a seat for Premier Sifton Yes
Medicine Hat June 29, 1910 William Finlay      Liberal Charles Richmond Mitchell      Liberal Resignation Yes
Lethbridge District June 22, 1910† Archibald J. McLean      Independent Liberal Archibald J. McLean      Liberal Sought reelection upon appointment as Provincial Secretary No
Olds November 23, 1909 Duncan Marshall      Liberal Duncan Marshall      Liberal Sought reelection upon appointment as Minister of Agriculture Yes

† Won by acclamation

*Patterson was elected with Conservative support and sat as a Conservative in the Legislature

1st Legislative Assembly of Alberta 1905–1909

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By-election Date Incumbent Party Winner Party Cause Retained
Lethbridge January 8, 1909† William Simmons      Liberal Donald McNabb      Labour Resignation to run federally No
Gleichen December 7, 1906 Charles Stuart      Liberal Ezra Riley      Liberal Appointed a judge Yes
Vermilion July 16, 1906† Matthew McCauley      Liberal James Bismark Holden      Liberal Appointed Warden of Edmonton Penitentiary Yes
Lethbridge April 12, 1906 Leverett DeVeber      Liberal William Simmons      Liberal Appointed to the Senate Yes

† Won by acclamation

See also

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References

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  • "Past By-Election Results". Elections Alberta. Archived from the original on 2009-06-07. Retrieved 2013-07-10.