Monday is election day in the Calgary-Shaw byelection, a race that has taken an early look at some of Alberta’s most pressing issues. There are five candidates in the race: United Conservative Party (UCP) candidate Mike Derry, Kyle Campbell running for the New Democratic Party (NDP), Progressive Tory Party candidate Kyle Joseph, John Roggeveed for the Liberals and independent Rolly Ashdown. UCP MLA Rebecca Schulz resigned on Jan. 2, forcing the byelection. Separation, while the topic of a different vote this fall, has been a hot topic during the race for a new MLA in the riding. The frontrunners in the byelection - Derry and Campbell - have tried to steer away from the controversial topic during debates, leaning toward a need for new schools and public spending on health care. However, when asked, both candidates say they want Alberta to remain a part of Canada. “Now’s the time to stand together, united as Canadians, and present a united front,” Campbell recently told CTV News. “I want Alberta to stay in Canada,” Derry said. “So, the good thing is that all candidates running in Calgary-Shaw are running on that same platform, so once people hear that, it becomes a non-issue.” In the last two general elections, Calgary-Shaw has gone to the UCP. Polls are open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. To vote, you must prove your identity and current address. There are more than 50 types of identification that will be accepted. The full list is on the Elections Alberta website. With files from Mason DePatie
