2023 Alberta general election explained

The 2023 Alberta general election was held on May 29, 2023. Voters elected the members of the 31st Alberta Legislature. The United Conservative Party under Danielle Smith, the incumbent Premier of Alberta, was re-elected to a second term with a reduced majority.^[2] Across the province, 1,763,441 valid votes were cast in this election.^[3]

The writs of election were issued on May 1, triggering the campaign. This was the first election following 2021 amendments to Alberta's Election Act which had set the date of the election to the last Monday of May, subject to the lieutenant governor's usual authority to dissolve the legislature sooner in accordance with the conventions of the Westminster system.

Background

The 2019 Alberta general election resulted in a majority government for the United Conservative Party led by Jason Kenney. The election of the new United Conservative government was widely predicted by pollsters and academics during the campaign. The United Conservatives captured 54.88 per cent of the popular vote and won 63 of the 87 seats in the Alberta Legislature. The incumbent New Democratic Party, led by Premier Rachel Notley, experienced a drop in its popular vote share from 40.62 per cent in the 2015 Alberta general election to 32.67 per cent, and formed the Official Opposition with 24 seats. The Alberta Party, led by former Edmonton mayor Stephen Mandel, received 9.08 per cent of the popular vote but failed to win any seats in the legislature. Various other parties and independent candidates combined for 3.37 per cent of the popular vote, without gaining any seats in the legislature. Journalist Graham Thomson described the 2019 election campaign as "more vicious, more personal, and more divisive" than any other campaign in Alberta's history.

The United Conservatives were formed through the merger of the two major conservative parties in Alberta, the Progressive Conservative Association of Alberta and the Wildrose Party, in 2017. Jason Kenney, a former member of Parliament and minister in Stephen Harper's Conservative Party of Canada federal government, won the 2017 Progressive Conservative Association of Alberta leadership election on a platform of uniting the right-wing parties in Alberta. The merger took place after 95 per cent of Wildrose Party members voted in favour of joining the new United Conservative Party and forming the Official Opposition. In the same year, Jason Kenney won the 2017 United Conservative Party leadership election and became the leader of the Opposition.

Initially, the Kenney government enjoyed substantial support among Albertans, with an approval rating of 60 per cent in June 2019. Kenney's approval rating started to decline with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in Alberta, dropping below 50 per cent in February 2020 and falling further to below 33 per cent by June 2021. Growing dissatisfaction within the United Conservative Party led to calls for a leadership review, with discontent primarily centred around the Kenney government's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, Central Peace-Notley MLA Todd Loewen resigned, and the United Conservative Caucus voted to expel both Loewen and Cypress-Medicine Hat MLA Drew Barnes on May 13, 2021. On May 18, 2022, Kenney announced his intention to resign as the leader of the United Conservative Party, after receiving only 51.4 per cent support during the party's leadership review.

The 2022 United Conservative Party leadership election was held on October 6. Former Wildrose Party leader Danielle Smith returned to politics and defeated five other candidates to become the party leader. After being sworn in as the premier of Alberta on October 11, the Smith ministry was presented on October 21.^[4] On May 1, 2023, acting on the premier's advice, the lieutenant governor dissolved the legislature and called an election for May 29.^[5]

Procedure

Procedures for provincial elections in Alberta are governed by the Election Act, and financial regulatory aspects are governed under the Election Finances and Contributions Disclosure Act. Eligibility to vote in 2023 was limited to Canadian citizens aged 18 years of age or older, and who was an ordinary resident of an Alberta electoral district.^[6]

Under the Election Finances and Contributions Disclosure Act, total expenses by political parties were limited to a total of $3,208,127 during the election period from when the writ was dropped to the election day, which was $1.16 per registered elector. Individual candidates expenses were limited to $53,100 during the election period. Third-party advertisers were limited to $159,200 during the election period.^[7]

In 2021, the Alberta Legislature passed the Election Statutes Amendment Act, 2021 (No. 2), which amended both the electoral acts to fix the election date to be the last Monday in May unless the lieutenant governor dissolves the Legislature sooner. The bill raised total election expense limits for each political party from $2 million to a formula of $1.16 per elector, which was expected to be near $3.2 million. The bill also prohibited an entity from registering as a third-party advertiser if someone who is a affiliated with a political party holds a "significant position" on in the entity.^[8]

Electoral system

Alberta's 87 MLAs are elected through single-member contests by plurality, also known as first past the post.

Timeline

2019

• April 16: The United Conservative Party (UCP) wins a majority government in the 30th Alberta general election, defeating the previous Alberta New Democratic Party (NDP) government which had governed since 2015. No other parties won seats in the election.
• April 30: Jason Kenney is sworn in as the 18th premier of Alberta. The first UCP cabinet is likewise sworn in.^[9] Derek Fildebrandt resigns as leader of the Freedom Conservative Party of Alberta.^[10]
• May 21: Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills MLA Nathan Cooper is elected Speaker of the Legislative Assembly.^[11]
• June 30: Stephen Mandel resigns as leader of the Alberta Party.^{[12] [13]}
• September 4: Cheryle Chagnon-Greyeyes resigns as leader of the Green Party of Alberta. Will Carnegie is appointed interim leader.^{[14] [15]}

2020

• February 10: Former PC MLA Jacquie Fenske is announced as acting leader of the Alberta Party.^{[16] [17]}
• March 28: Jordan Wilkie is elected leader of the Green Party of Alberta.^[18]
• June 29: Members of Wexit Alberta and the Freedom Conservative Party of Alberta voted to approve a merger into the Wildrose Independence Party of Alberta (WIP).^[19]
• July 17: The WIP announced that Paul Hinman would serve as interim leader until the party's founding convention and leadership contest.^[20]
• November 22: Alberta Liberal Party Leader David Khan resigns.^[21]

2021

• January 4: Six UCP MLAs are demoted by Jason Kenney for travelling internationally during the COVID-19 pandemic in Alberta.^[22]
• March 6: John Roggeveen is appointed interim leader of the Alberta Liberal Party.^[23]
• April 7: 17 UCP MLAs sign an open letter criticizing the Alberta government for reimposing more stringent public health restrictions aimed at combatting COVID-19.^{[24] [25]}
• July 13: Paul Hinman is elected leader of the WIP.^[26]
• August 31: Barry Morishita is acclaimed as leader of the Alberta Party.^[27]
• November 15: 22 UCP constituency associations announce they have passed special motions calling for a review of Jason Kenney's leadership by March 1, 2022.^[28]

2022

• March 24: UCP MLAs Jason Stephan and Peter Guthrie call on Jason Kenney to resign.^[29]
• May 18: Jason Kenney won 51.4% of votes in favour of him staying as leader in a UCP leadership review vote. However, he announced he would resign shortly after the result was revealed.^[30]
• May 19: The UCP caucus meets and decides to keep Jason Kenney as party leader and premier until a successor is chosen.^[31]
• October 6: The results of the 2022 UCP leadership election were announced, with former Wildrose Party leader Danielle Smith elected leader and therefore the next premier. In her victory speech, she invited former UCP MLA and fellow leadership candidate Todd Loewen back into caucus.^[32]
• October 11: Danielle Smith is sworn in as the 19th premier of Alberta.^[33]
• October 21: Wildrose Independence Party leader Paul Hinman is removed as leader by a court decision. Jeevan Mangat is named interim party leader. Hinman is appealing the decision.^{[34] [35]}
• December 8: John Roggeveen is appointed permanent leader of the Alberta Liberal Party.^{[36] [37]}

2023

• May 1: Writs of election issued.
• May 6: A state of emergency is declared in Alberta due to ongoing wildfires throughout the province.^[38]
• May 18: The Alberta Ethics Commissioner released a report finding UCP leader Danielle Smith violated the Conflict of Interest Act over a conversation with Justice Minister Tyler Shandro regarding a COVID-19 prosecution.^[39]
• May 18: Smith-Notley Debate.
• May 23–27: Advance voting.
• May 29: Election day.

Changes in MLAs

Changes in seats held (2019–2023)

Seat	Before				Change
	Date	Member	Party	Reason	Date	Member	Party
Lesser Slave Lake	January 14, 2021	Pat Rehn		Removed from caucus due to lack of constituency work[40]
	July 14, 2021			Returned to caucus[41] [42]
Central Peace-Notley	May 13, 2021	Todd Loewen		Expelled by caucus over criticism of then premier Jason Kenney's COVID-19 policies [43] [44]
	October 7, 2022			Returned to caucus[45]
Cypress-Medicine Hat	May 13, 2021	Drew Barnes		Expelled by caucus over criticism of then premier Jason Kenney's COVID-19 policies
Fort McMurray-Lac La Biche	August 15, 2021	Laila Goodridge		Resigned to stand for election to Fort McMurray-Cold Lake in the 2021 Canadian federal election[46]	March 15, 2022	Brian Jean[47]
Edmonton-South	December 21, 2021	Thomas Dang		Resigned from caucus after RCMP investigation was conducted
Calgary-Elbow	August 31, 2022	Doug Schweitzer		Resigned from Legislature; retired from politics for private sector[48]
Brooks-Medicine Hat	October 7, 2022	Michaela Frey		Resigned from Legislature to allow Danielle Smith to stand in a by-election[49]	November 8, 2022	Danielle Smith[50]
Calgary-Lougheed	November 30, 2022	Jason Kenney		Resigned from Legislature; left politics[51]

Incumbent MLAs not seeking re-election

In the months leading up to the 2023 Alberta general election, several members of the Legislative Assembly announced they would not seek re-election. This included three members of the Smith ministry including leadership contest runner-up Travis Toews (Minister of Finance and president of Treasury Board),^[52] Sonya Savage (Minister of Environment and Protected Areas),^[53] and Rajan Sawhney (Minister of Trade, Immigration and Multiculturalism). Shortly after Sawhney's decision not to run again, she was nominated by Smith as the United Conservative candidate for Calgary-North West.^[54] Other United Conservative members of the Legislative Assembly who decided not to run again included former Ministers in the Kenney ministry: Leela Aheer,^[55] Ron Orr,^[56] Tracy Allard,^[57] and Brad Rutherford;^[58] as well as caucus members Mark Smith,^[59] Roger Reid,^[60] and Richard Gotfried.^[61] Dave Hanson, member for Bonnyville-Cold Lake-St. Paul, lost his nomination contest against former Bonnyville-Cold Lake representative Scott Cyr;^[62] and Tany Yao, member for Fort McMurray-Wood Buffalo, lost his nomination contest to Zulkifl Mujahid, who was subsequently removed by the provincial board and replaced by Yao due to ongoing legal matters.^[63]

New Democratic members of the Legislative Assembly deciding not to run in 2023 included members of the Notley ministry, such as Deron Bilous,^[64] along with Richard Feehan,^[61] as well as caucus member Jon Carson. Chris Nielsen, member for Edmonton-Decore, lost his nomination contest to Sharif Haji.^[65] Two independent members of the Legislative Assembly decided not to run in 2023: former New Democrat Thomas Dang,^[66] along with former United Conservative Drew Barnes.^[67]

MLAs who did not run again in 2023

Retiring incumbent			Electoral district	Subsequent party nominee		Elected MLA
Thomas Dang	Independent				Rhiannon Hoyle			Rhiannon Hoyle
Deron Bilous	New Democratic	Edmonton-Beverly-Clareview			Peggy Wright			Peggy Wright
Jon Carson	New Democratic	Edmonton-West Henday			Brooks Arcand-Paul			Brooks Arcand-Paul
Richard Feehan	New Democratic	Edmonton-Rutherford			Jodi Calahoo Stonehouse			Jodi Calahoo Stonehouse
Drew Barnes	Independent				Justin Wright			Justin Wright
Leela Aheer	United Conservative				Chantelle de Jonge			Chantelle de Jonge
Richard Gotfried[68]	United Conservative				Myles McDougall			Myles McDougall	Ron Orr	United Conservative				Jennifer Johnson			Jennifer Johnson	Pat Rehn[69]	United Conservative				Scott Sinclair			Scott Sinclair	Roger Reid	United Conservative				Chelsae Petrovic			Chelsae Petrovic	Brad Rutherford	United Conservative				Brandon Lunty			Brandon Lunty
Mark Smith	United Conservative	Drayton Valley-Devon			Andrew Boitchenko			Andrew Boitchenko
Sonya Savage	United Conservative				Rajan Sawhney			Rajan Sawhney
		Rajan Sawhney[70]	United Conservative				Inder Grewal			Gurinder Brar	Travis Toews	United Conservative				Ron Wiebe			Ron Wiebe
Tracy Allard	United Conservative				Nolan Dyck			Nolan Dyck

Notes and References

1. Web site: Alberta election set to officially begin today. CBC News. May 1, 2023. May 1, 2023. von Scheel. Elise. May 1, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230501143933/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/alberta-provincial-election-begins-1.6826423. live.
2. Web site: Alberta election: Danielle Smith's UCP to form next government after tight race Globalnews.ca . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230530062608/https://globalnews.ca/news/9731337/alberta-election-2023-danielle-smith-ucp-wins/ . May 30, 2023 . 2023-05-30 . Global News . en-US.
3. Web site: Election Results . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230531015222/https://results.elections.ab.ca/8400 . May 31, 2023 . May 31, 2023.
4. News: French . Janet . October 21, 2022 . New Alberta cabinet includes familiar faces in prominent portfolios . . October 22, 2022 . October 21, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221021224641/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/alberta-united-conservative-party-government-cabinet-1.6625263 . live .
5. News: Toy . Adam . Alberta election called Monday for May 29 vote Globalnews.ca . May 19, 2023 . Global News . May 1, 2023 . May 19, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230519172854/https://globalnews.ca/news/9663744/danielle-smith-alberta-election-writ/ . live .
6. Web site: Who Can Vote . elections.ab.ca . . May 21, 2023 . May 22, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230522004438/https://www.elections.ab.ca/voters/who-can-vote/ . live .
7. Web site: Expense Limits . elections.ab.ca . . May 21, 2023 . May 22, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230522004436/https://www.elections.ab.ca/finance/expense-limits/ . live .
8. Web site: Set election date, lifting of $2M cap on election spending proposed in new Alberta bill . November 4, 2021 . . Michelle . Bellefontaine . February 13, 2022 . February 13, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220213194916/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/set-election-date-lifting-of-2m-cap-on-election-spending-proposed-in-new-alberta-bill-1.6237637 . live .
9. News: April 30, 2019. Jason Kenney sworn in as 18th premier of Alberta, names his UCP cabinet. August 28, 2020. thestar.com. en. Leavitt. Kieran. Maimann. Kevin. September 14, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200914200538/https://www.thestar.com/edmonton/2019/04/30/jason-kenney-set-to-be-sworn-in-and-name-his-united-conservative-cabinet-tuesday-morning.html. live.
10. News: Derek Fildebrandt resigns as leader of upstart Freedom Conservative Party. September 2, 2020. Calgary Herald. en-CA. April 30, 2019. The Canadian Press. September 14, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200914202108/https://calgaryherald.com/news/politics/derek-fildebrandt-resigns-as-leader-of-upstart-freedom-conservative-party. live.
11. Web site: Leavitt. Kieran. May 21, 2019. United Conservatives lay out agenda as new Speaker named to Alberta legislature. live. April 8, 2021. thestar.com. en. https://web.archive.org/web/20190522141531/https://www.thestar.com/edmonton/2019/05/21/alberta-legislatures-new-speaker-named-after-united-conservative-agenda-laid-out.html . May 22, 2019 .
12. June 28, 2019. Alberta Party leader Stephen Mandel steps down to pursue his role as Chancellor at Concordia University.. August 27, 2020. Alberta Party. en. September 14, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200914201015/https://www.albertaparty.ca/alberta_party_leader_stephen_mandel_steps_down. live.
13. News: Graney . Emma . Alberta Party leader Stephen Mandel steps down . April 2, 2021 . . June 28, 2019 . February 25, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210225155844/https://edmontonjournal.com/news/politics/alberta-party-leader-stephen-mandel-to-resign-june-30/ . live .
14. September 4, 2019. Green Party Leader Steps Down, Interim Leader Appointed. August 28, 2020. Green Party of Alberta. en-CA. September 14, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200914202638/https://greenpartyofalberta.ca/green-party-leader-steps-down-interim-leader-appointed/. live.
15. News: Alberta Green Party leader resigns after just 1 year in charge . April 24, 2021 . . September 7, 2019 . Calgary . September 10, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190910064546/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/cheryle-chagnon-greyeyes-green-party-alberta-resigns-1.5274846 . live .
16. February 10, 2020. Acting Leader Appointed - Welcome Jacquie Fenske. August 27, 2020. Alberta Party. en. September 14, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200914190720/https://www.albertaparty.ca/acting_leader_appointed. live.
17. News: French . Janet . Jacquie Fenske appointed acting leader of Alberta Party . April 2, 2021 . . February 10, 2020 . March 12, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210312060135/https://edmontonjournal.com/news/politics/jacquie-fenske-appointed-acting-leader-of-alberta-party . live .
18. Jordan Wilkie Elected Leader of the Green Party Of Alberta. Green Party of Alberta . April 25, 2020 . https://archive.today/20200425232610/https://greenpartyofalberta.ca/jordan-wilkie-elected-leader-of-the-green-party-of-alberta/ . April 25, 2020 . en-CA . March 28, 2020.
19. News: Labby. Bryan. June 30, 2020. Wexit Alberta and Freedom Conservative Party vote to merge as Wildrose Independence Party of Alberta. CBC News. August 27, 2020. August 17, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200817164521/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/wexit-alberta-wildrose-independence-party-merger-freedom-conservative-vote-1.5633172. live.
20. News: Gilligan . Melissa . July 17, 2020 . Paul Hinman named interim leader of Alberta's new Wildrose Independence Party . . July 18, 2020 . July 18, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200718021229/https://globalnews.ca/news/7188915/paul-hinman-wildrose-independence-party-interim-leader/ . live .
21. News: Rieger. Sarah. November 22, 2020. Alberta Liberal Leader David Khan steps down.. en-US. CBC News. December 1, 2020. December 1, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201201035236/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/david-khan-1.5812207. live.
22. Web site: Antoneshyn. Alex. January 4, 2021. 6 Alberta government members demoted amid international travel controversy. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20210116235934/https://edmonton.ctvnews.ca/6-alberta-government-members-demoted-amid-international-travel-controversy-1.5252989 . January 16, 2021 . January 24, 2021. CTV News Edmonton. en.
23. News: Wyld. Adrian. March 6, 2021. Alberta Liberals appoint John Roggeveen as interim party leader. The Globe and Mail. live. March 7, 2021. March 7, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210307005251/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-alberta-liberals-appoint-john-roggeveen-as-interim-party-leader-2/.
24. News: Seventeen UCP MLAs release statement opposing pandemic restrictions - 660 NEWS. April 8, 2021. www.660citynews.com. April 7, 2021. Ritchie. Josh. April 7, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210407224502/https://www.660citynews.com/2021/04/07/fifteen-ucp-mlas-release-statement-opposing-pandemic-restrictions/. live.
25. Barnes. Drew. April 7, 2021. A Statement from 15 UCP MLAs to all Albertans.. 1379880188385710080. live. April 8, 2021. drew__barnes. en. https://web.archive.org/web/20210426165326/https://twitter.com/drew__barnes/status/1379880188385710080. April 26, 2021.
26. Web site: Conroy. Jackie. July 14, 2021. Paul Hinman wins WIP leadership. live. July 31, 2021. Western Standard. https://web.archive.org/web/20210714190151/https://westernstandardonline.com/2021/07/paul-hinman-wins-wip-leadership/. July 14, 2021.
27. News: September 1, 2021. Brooks mayor acclaimed as leader of Alberta Party. CBC News. November 30, 2021. September 2, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210902234340/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/barry-morishita-alberta-party-leader-1.6161063. live.
28. News: November 15, 2021 . UCP constituency associations say they passed vote triggering early Kenney leadership review . November 18, 2021 . . November 17, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211117221304/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/ucp-trigger-early-kenney-leadership-review-1.6249304 . live .
29. Web site: March 24, 2022 . Sean . Amato . UCP MLAs call on Kenney to resign as leadership vote dispute becomes a 'circus' . March 25, 2022 . CTV News . Edmonton . en . March 25, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220325040728/https://edmonton.ctvnews.ca/ucp-mlas-call-on-kenney-to-resign-as-leadership-vote-dispute-becomes-a-circus-1.5833327 . live .
30. Web site: May 18, 2022 . Michelle . Bellefontaine . Alberta Premier Jason Kenney resigns as UCP leader . May 18, 2022 . CTV Edmonton . en . May 19, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220519010051/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/alberta-premier-jason-kenney-resigns-as-ucp-leader-1.6457221 . live .
31. Web site: May 19, 2022 . Janet . French . AJason Kenney to remain as premier, party leader until new UCP leader is chosen . May 19, 2022 . CBC News . en . May 25, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220525155933/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/jason-kenney-to-remain-as-premier-party-leader-until-new-ucp-leader-is-chosen-1.6459908 . live .
32. Web site: October 6, 2022 . Adam . Toy . Danielle Smith wins UCP leadership race, to be next Alberta premier . October 7, 2022 . Global News . en-US.
33. Web site: Lachacz . Adam . 2022-10-11 . Danielle Smith sworn in as Alberta's next premier . 2022-10-11 . CTV News Edmonton . en . October 11, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221011210826/https://edmonton.ctvnews.ca/danielle-smith-sworn-in-as-alberta-s-next-premier-1.6103774 . live .
34. Web site: Green . Arthur C. . October 24, 2022 . Hinman says he will appeal ruling to remove him as Wildrose Party leader . Western Standard . en . October 26, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221026131743/https://www.westernstandard.news/news/hinman-says-he-will-appeal-ruling-to-remove-him-as-wildrose-party-leader/article_6d0e21e6-53ee-11ed-b5a7-2bf54dde43a9.html . live .
35. Web site: Green . Arthur C. . Wildrose Party suing Hinman for $180,000 for disrupting AGM . 2022-10-25 . Western Standard . October 25, 2022 . en . October 27, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221027123930/https://www.westernstandard.news/alberta/wildrose-party-suing-hinman-for-180-000-for-disrupting-agm/article_c2a8f7f8-547e-11ed-adb9-37b6e831b00d.html . live .
36. Media Release: Alberta Liberal Party Leadership Update - John Roggeveen Appointed Alberta Liberal Leader . December 9, 2022 . Calgary . Alberta Liberal Party . December 8, 2022 . December 9, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221209003749/https://www.albertaliberal.com/leadership_announcement_22 . live .
37. News: Rodriguez . Michael . Calgary-based lawyer named as leader of Alberta Liberal Party . December 9, 2022 . . December 8, 2022 . December 9, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221209102900/https://calgaryherald.com/news/politics/calgary-based-lawyer-named-as-leader-of-alberta-liberal-party . live .
38. News: Alberta wildfires: Province declares state of emergency to manage 'challenging' situation . May 23, 2023 . . . May 6, 2023 . en-CA . May 15, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230515095742/https://calgaryherald.com/news/alberta-wildfires-state-of-emergency-may-6 . live .
39. News: Alberta Premier Danielle Smith violated conflict of interest rule: ethics probe . May 23, 2023 . . . May 18, 2023 . en-CA . May 22, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230522023942/https://calgaryherald.com/news/politics/danielle-smith-conflict-of-interest-artur-pawlowski . live .
40. Web site: Premier Jason Kenney removes MLA Pat Rehn from UCP caucus. January 14, 2021. Global News. en-CA. Ramsay. Caley. January 14, 2021. January 14, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210114154129/https://globalnews.ca/news/7575882/alberta-mla-pat-rehn-removed-ucp-caucus/. live.
41. July 14, 2021. NEWS RELEASE: United Conservative Caucus welcomes back MLA Rehn. live. July 14, 2021. July 14, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210714202208/https://unitedconservativecaucus.ca/news-release-united-conservative-caucus-welcomes-back-mla-rehn/.
42. News: Riebe . Natasha . Ousted Alberta MLA Pat Rehn invited back into UCP fold . July 19, 2021 . . July 14, 2021 . Edmonton . July 20, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210720034345/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/alberta-ucp-1.6103088 . live .
43. News: Bellefontaine . Michelle . Alberta MLAs Todd Loewen, Drew Barnes booted from UCP caucus . October 8, 2022 . . May 13, 2021 . Edmonton . October 8, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221008151904/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/barnes-loewen-removed-ucp-caucus-1.6025897 . live .
44. News: United Conservative MLAs vote to kick Drew Barnes, Todd Loewen from caucus . October 8, 2022 . CityNews . . May 13, 2021 . Edmonton . October 8, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221008150901/https://edmonton.citynews.ca/2021/05/13/united-conservative-mlas-kick-drew-barnes-todd-loewen-from-caucus/ . live .
45. Web site: Member Information: Mr. Todd Loewen . 2022-10-14 . www.assembly.ab.ca . October 14, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221014201216/https://www.assembly.ab.ca/members/members-of-the-legislative-assembly/member-information?mid=0890&legl=30&from=mla_home . live .
46. Web site: Beamish. Laura. August 15, 2021. Laila Goodridge running as Conservative MP candidate for Fort McMurray-Cold Lake, resigned as UCP MLA. live. August 16, 2021. dailyheraldtribune. en-CA. https://web.archive.org/web/20210816014516/https://www.fortmcmurraytoday.com/news/laila-goodridge-running-as-conservative-mp-candidate-for-fort-mcmurray-cold-lake-resigned-as-ucp-mla . August 16, 2021 .
47. News: March 15, 2022 . UCP candidate Brian Jean wins northern Alberta by-election in landslide . en-CA . The Globe and Mail . The Canadian Press . Dean . Bennett . March 16, 2022 . March 16, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220316051251/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-ucp-candidate-brian-jean-wins-northern-alberta-by-election-in/ . live .
48. Web site: Short . Dylan . August 31, 2022 . Doug Schweitzer resignation as Calgary-Elbow MLA official at midnight . September 3, 2022 . . en-CA . September 1, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220901155002/http://calgaryherald.com/news/politics/doug-schweitzer-resignation-as-calgary-elbow-mla-official-at-midnight . live .
49. Web site: October 7, 2022 . Spackman . Sheldon . Alberta MLA steps aside, encourages incoming premier Smith to run in the seat . October 7, 2022 . rdnewsnow.com . en.
50. News: Herring . Jason . 2022-11-09 . Premier Danielle Smith wins byelection that gives her seat in Alberta legislature . en . National Post . 2022-11-09.
51. Web site: Karen . Bartko . November 29, 2022 . Jason Kenney quits Alberta politics with critical letter on state of democracy . 2022-11-30 . Global News . en-US . November 30, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221130012730/https://globalnews.ca/news/9313538/jason-kenney-resigns-alberta/ . live .
52. News: Bennett . Dean . Alberta Finance Minister Travis Toews not seeking re-election . 31 March 2023 . Global News . . March 24, 2023 . March 31, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230331144715/https://globalnews.ca/news/9576070/alberta-travis-toews-not-seeking-re-election/ . live .
53. News: Heidenreich . Phil . Alberta Environment Minister Sonya Savage says she won't seek re-election this spring . 31 March 2023 . Global News . March 24, 2023 . March 31, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230331141645/https://globalnews.ca/news/9577383/alberta-environment-minister-sonya-savage-ucp-election/ . live .
54. News: Rajan Sawhney named UCP candidate for Calgary-North West . April 1, 2023 . CBC News . April 1, 2023 . en-CA . April 1, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230401190205/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/ucp-alberta-calgary-north-west-1.6798634 . live .
55. News: Rodriguez . Michael . Former cabinet minister Leela Aheer not seeking re-election with UCP . 31 March 2023 . . October 26, 2022 . en-CA . October 26, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221026190453/https://calgaryherald.com/news/politics/former-cabinet-minister-leela-aheer-not-seeking-re-election-with-ucp . live .
56. News: Lacombe-Ponoka MLA Ron Orr won't seek re-election in spring 2023 . 31 March 2023 . rdnewsnow.com . October 25, 2022 . en . October 25, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221025230141/https://rdnewsnow.com/2022/10/25/lacombe-ponoka-mla-ron-orr-wont-seek-re-election-in-spring-2023/ . live .
57. News: Black . Matthew . Tracy Allard announces she will not be seeking re-election . 31 March 2023 . . February 5, 2023 . en-CA . July 27, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230727011055/https://edmontonjournal.com/news/politics/tracy-allard-announces-she-will-not-be-seeking-re-election . live .
58. News: Giancola . Dillon . MLA Brad Rutherford reflects on time in office as election looms . May 28, 2023 . The Leduc Rep . March 29, 2023 . en-CA . March 30, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230330133259/https://www.leducrep.com/news/local-news/mla-brad-rutherford-reflects-on-time-in-office-as-election-looms . live .
59. News: Giancola . Dillon . MLA Mark Smith reflects on time in office ahead of election . May 28, 2023 . Devon Dispatch . April 5, 2023 . May 17, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230517232449/https://www.devondispatch.ca/news/local-news/mla-mark-smith-reflects-on-time-in-office-ahead-of-election . live .
60. News: Opinko . David . Southern Alberta MLA not running for re-election . 31 March 2023 . Lethbridge News Now . November 4, 2022 . en . November 4, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221104195559/https://lethbridgenewsnow.com/2022/11/04/southern-alberta-mla-not-running-for-re-election/ . live .
61. News: Lachacz . Adam . NDP MLA Richard Feehan not seeking re-election for Edmonton-Rutherford seat . 31 March 2023 . . 22 April 2022 . Edmonton . November 19, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221119033405/https://edmonton.ctvnews.ca/ndp-mla-richard-feehan-not-seeking-re-election-for-edmonton-rutherford-seat-1.5873151 . live .
62. News: Huser . Janice . Cyr named winner of UCP nomination vote, wins by one . May 23, 2023 . Lakeland Today . December 23, 2022 . en . May 24, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230524032407/https://www.lakelandtoday.ca/local-news/cyr-named-winner-of-ucp-nomination-vote-wins-by-one-6294289 . live .
63. Web site: Tany Yao running again for Fort McMurray-Wood Buffalo after UCP board removes candidate. CBC News. 22 April 2023. 23 April 2023. April 23, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230423164117/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/tany-yao-running-again-for-fort-mcmurray-wood-buffalo-after-ucp-board-removes-candidate-1.6819607. live.
64. News: Johnson . Lisa . Deron Bilous says he won't seek re-election after 10-year political career as NDP MLA . 31 March 2023 . . August 11, 2022 . en-CA . August 12, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220812001540/https://edmontonjournal.com/news/politics/deron-bilous-says-he-wont-seek-re-election-after-10-year-political-career-as-ndp-mla . live .
65. News: Johnson . Lisa . Edmonton-Decore incumbent NDP MLA out of running as UCP candidate acclaimed . May 23, 2023 . . June 26, 2022 . en-CA . July 14, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220714163750/https://edmontonjournal.com/news/politics/edmonton-decore-incumbent-ndp-mla-out-of-running-as-ucp-candidate-acclaimed . live .
66. News: Joannou . Ashley . Edmonton MLA Thomas Dang won't seek re-election, withdraws request to rejoin NDP caucus . 31 March 2023 . Edmonton Journal . July 21, 2022 . en-CA . July 21, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220721203254/https://edmontonjournal.com/news/politics/thomas-dang-expected-to-announce-that-he-wont-seek-re-election . live .
67. Web site: UCP-ousted MLA Drew Barnes won't seek re-election as independent . Rodriguez . Michael . 2023-05-01 . . en-CA . May 1, 2023 . May 5, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230505101930/http://calgaryherald.com/news/politics/drew-barnes-wont-seek-re-election . live .
68. News: Kaufmann . Bill . Calgary UCP MLA Gotfried won't run for re-election . 31 March 2023 . . September 29, 2022 . en-CA . September 29, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220929170216/https://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/calgary-ucp-mla-gotfried-wont-run-for-re-election . live .
69. News: Black . Matthew . Government MLA Pat Rehn not running for re-election . 31 March 2023 . . January 15, 2023 . en-CA . January 15, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230115004433/https://edmontonjournal.com/news/politics/government-mla-pat-rehn-not-running-for-re-election . live .
70. News: Smith . Madeline . Rajan Sawhney, UCP minister and former leadership hopeful, won't seek re-election . 31 March 2023 . . February 18, 2023 . en-CA . May 7, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230507114057/https://edmontonjournal.com/news/politics/rajan-sawhney-ucp-minister-and-former-leadership-hopeful-wont-seek-re-election . live .