As Canada gears up for its federal elections, the Edmonton Northwest riding is making headlines as it returns to the political landscape for the first time since 1993. This riding, which was abolished in 1996, spans nearly 25 kilometers wide and includes parts of the St. Albert-Edmonton, Edmonton West, and Edmonton Griesbach ridings, providing voters with a diverse array of candidates from major political parties.
According to the last census, Edmonton Northwest is home to nearly 113,000 residents, accounting for approximately 10.4 percent of the city’s population. The riding stretches from the western corner of Whitemud Drive near the Enoch Cree Nation, diagonally following the Anthony Henday Drive to the intersection of Anthony Henday Drive and 97 Street in the city’s north end.
With the upcoming election on April 28, 2025, candidates from various parties are positioning themselves to represent this newly re-established riding. Among them is Omar Abubakar, who is running for the New Democratic Party (NDP). This marks Abubakar's first foray into politics, and he expresses enthusiasm about connecting with his community. "It’s a massive riding, and it’s going to be very difficult to cover all of it in just ... weeks," he said, acknowledging the challenges ahead. Abubakar plans to focus on issues such as affordable housing, good jobs, better healthcare, and a fairer economy that benefits everyone.
Another candidate, Lindsey Machona, is representing the Liberal Party. With her background in non-profit social work, Machona aims to assist the middle class and those striving to enter it. She noted that some constituents are confused by the return of the riding, prompting her to prioritize relationship building. "We are definitely in new territory, both figuratively and in the race as well," said Machona. She also aims to address rising concerns about Islamophobia and Antisemitism in the area.
Albert Carson is running for the People’s Party of Canada (PPC) and hopes to enhance the party’s reputation in the region. Carson believes that when constituents read the PPC’s platform, they are more likely to support it. "Get them to read our policies, which I fully endorse all the way, all 21 of them, and I’m trying to get that message out to people," he stated.
Representing the Conservative Party is Billy Morin, the former Chief of the Enoch Cree Nation from 2015 to 2022. Morin, who was the youngest Chief in the history of the Enoch Cree Nation, signed on with the CPC last May and has appeared alongside party leader Pierre Poilievre at recent events in Edmonton.
Colleen Rice is the Green Party candidate, focusing on three primary issues: healthcare access, affordable housing, and increasing livable wages. Rice, who has spent 20 years in the social services sector in Edmonton, aims to bring her experience to the political arena.
As the election approaches, predictions for the Edmonton Northwest riding are challenging due to its recent formation. However, historical voting patterns from previous elections in contributing ridings may provide some insight. In 2021, Blake Desjarlais won the Griesbach riding for the NDP, narrowly defeating the Conservative Party’s Kerry Diotte by just 1,500 votes. In Edmonton West, Kelly McCauley secured over 45 percent of the votes, while in St. Albert-Edmonton, Conservative Michael Cooper claimed the seat with more than 29,000 votes, representing over 47 percent of the ballot.
Meanwhile, advance polling for the upcoming federal elections has begun across Canada, allowing eligible voters to cast their early ballots from April 18 to April 21, 2025. Polling stations will be open from 9 AM to 9 PM CST each day. This advance polling period comes just over a week before the main election date on April 28, 2025.
The Liberal Party, currently led by Prime Minister Mark Carney, is defending its position against the Conservative Party, now led by Pierre Poilievre, who aims to reclaim power after nearly a decade in opposition. Registered voters must cast their ballots at their assigned polling stations, a requirement that differs from provincial elections, where voters can choose any polling station within their province.
For those unable to vote in person, there are options available to vote by mail or in person through a special ballot until 6 PM on April 22, 2025. Citizens can verify their eligibility and polling details on the Elections Canada website. All Canadian citizens aged 18 and older on election day are eligible to vote, including those incarcerated or living abroad. However, the chief electoral officer, responsible for overseeing the electoral process, is prohibited from voting during their 10-year term.
This election will see a total of 343 members in the Canadian Parliament, an increase of five since the last federal elections, and results are expected to be announced by the evening of April 28, 2025. As the political landscape shifts, candidates in Edmonton Northwest and across Canada are gearing up for what promises to be a pivotal election.
