The Conservative Party maintained its longstanding dominance in Calgary during the federal election on April 28, 2025, capturing 10 of the city’s 11 ridings. The lone Liberal candidate to emerge victorious was Corey Hogan, who secured a slim lead in Calgary Confederation over Conservative candidate Jeremy Nixon, with one poll remaining to be counted early Tuesday morning.
Hogan expressed optimism about his victory, stating, "I am looking forward to being a strong Alberta voice in the government caucus, and making sure that Alberta issues are well understood." He emphasized the need to improve relations between corporate Calgary and downtown Ottawa, acknowledging the historical divide that has existed.
Meanwhile, George Chahal, who was the only Liberal to claim a seat in Calgary in the previous election, faced a disappointing defeat in the newly drawn Calgary McKnight riding. Chahal, a former city councillor, trailed Conservative candidate Darwinder Gill by more than 1,000 votes with all but one of the riding’s 196 polls reporting by Tuesday morning.
Chahal had been favored to win, with updated figures from 338Canada on election day giving him a 92 percent chance of victory. However, he acknowledged the unexpected closeness of the race, telling supporters shortly after 11 p.m. on election night, "This election was much tighter than anticipated." The atmosphere at his campaign event was somber, with three large cakes—one decorated with red icing proclaiming, "First ever re-elected Calgary Liberal MP!"—remaining untouched.
Earlier in the day, Chahal had issued a statement thanking voters for their support. “I am deeply grateful to Calgarians for their trust, and I’m committed to continuing to build a stronger future for our city and our country,” he said. Chahal emphasized his dedication to fighting for the families of Northeast Calgary throughout his political career.
The Calgary McKnight riding, which was newly created during the recent electoral boundary redistribution, largely comprises territory from the former Calgary Skyview, the only part of the city that went Liberal red in 2021. It includes neighborhoods such as Martindale, Taradale, and Saddle Ridge. Chahal had previously represented Calgary Skyview, and he noted, "Most of my old riding is in here," during his campaign.
Throughout the election, Chahal highlighted economic concerns stemming from U.S. policies, particularly under former President Donald Trump, and advocated for strong, stable leadership. He stated, "Now more than ever, as Canadians we need to be unified to make sure that we are Canada strong, that we protect our sovereignty and stand up to our neighbors to the south who have threatened us consistently." His campaign focused on diversifying trade relationships and supporting local Canadian workers.
Other candidates in the Calgary McKnight race included Evelyn Tanaka from the Green Party, Arlington Antonio Santiago from the NDP, and Najeeb Butt from the People’s Party of Canada. Santiago finished third with less than three percent of the vote.
As Calgary’s political landscape continued to shift, the Conservative Party easily held onto its other ridings in the city, including Calgary Centre, where incumbent Greg McLean defeated Liberal candidate Lindsay Luhnau. McLean expressed satisfaction with the results, stating, "It is a city that has been held back by this Liberal government's policies." He questioned what more Calgarians needed to see to understand that the Liberal government was not advancing the province or city.
In southern Alberta, the Conservatives maintained their stronghold, with significant victories in ridings such as Lethbridge, where incumbent Rachel Thomas retained her seat, and Yellowhead, which was won by William Stevenson. Blaine Calkins also secured victory in Ponoka-Didsbury, further solidifying Conservative dominance in the region.
Despite the Liberal Party’s hopes for a breakthrough in Calgary, the results reflected a continued trend of Conservative strength in the area. Liberal Leader Mark Carney had visited Calgary in early April to rally support, while Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre held a rally shortly before election day. Carney had planned another appearance in Calgary but canceled it following a tragic event in Vancouver.
Pollster Janet Brown noted the challenges faced by the Liberals in Alberta, stating, "As I’ve always said, polls tend to underestimate conservatives in Alberta, and it seems that’s the case again." This sentiment was echoed by Conservative insiders who expressed confidence in their party’s ability to mobilize voters effectively.
The results of the April 28 election highlighted the ongoing political dynamics in Calgary, where the Conservative Party continues to dominate, while the Liberals managed only a single seat. As the dust settles from the election, both parties will be assessing their strategies moving forward, especially with the next federal election on the horizon.
