EDITORIAL: Battle of the Councillors - Local Politics on the Provincial Stage
As the dust of provincial politics begins to stir again, Lethbridge-West is gearing up for a contest like no other.
The stage is set for a fascinating duel, and this time, it’s not just about orange vs. blue; it's a battle of local leadership where two veteran City Councillors—past and present—are squaring off in a provincial race that feels like an extension of City Hall. The stakes? Much more than one can imagine.
On one side, we have Rob Miyashiro, the Alberta NDP’s standard-bearer. A familiar face to many, Miyashiro served as a City Councillor from 2013 to 2021. Then ran in the last provincial election in Lethbridge's other riding Lethbridge-East.
His nomination by the NDP signals their intent to keep the riding, formerly held by former Environment Minister the Hon. Shannon Phillips until her departure on July 1st. Miyashiro embodies continuity for NDP voters in Lethbridge-West who remain loyal to the ideals Phillips represented: social progress, environmental stewardship, and responsible governance.
Phillips even went as far as to endorse Miyahshiro during the nomination battle.
Miyashiro is likely to face scrutiny for his past as a former Alberta Liberal candidate in 2012, when he ran in Lethbridge-East. At the time, he aimed to succeed Liberal MLA Bridget Pastoor, who had crossed the floor to join the Progressive Conservatives under Premier Alison Redford. The Liberals had held Lethbridge-East from 1993 until Pastoor’s defection in 2011.
In 2023, Miyahsiro ran in Lethbridge-East under the Alberta NDP banner against then-Deputy Premier Nathan Neudorf. In a closely contested race, he came within 600 votes of unseating Neudorf.
On the other side is John Middleton-Hope, the UCP nominee, currently occupying a seat in Lethbridge’s City Council. Middleton-Hope was first elected in 2021. His relatively recent entrance into local politics has given him a fresh perspective, perhaps making him the ideal face for the UCP as they look to solidify their base in southern Alberta.
What makes this contest compelling isn’t just the political colours or policies on offer; it’s that both candidates are entrenched in the lifeblood of Lethbridge itself. Unlike many provincial races where some candidates are parachuted into ridings with little connection to local issues, both Miyashiro and Middleton-Hope are deeply familiar with the dynamics of this city. They know the pulse of its streets, the challenges faced by its residents, and the opportunities that could be unlocked with the right leadership. In many ways, Lethbridge-West is about to experience a contest not of provincial vision alone, but one of civic identity.
This by-election won’t change the balance of power in Edmonton, but its implications could reverberate across the province. In 2019, Lethbridge-East was the only seat outside Calgary and Edmonton that the NDP held onto when the UCP swept them from power. The NDP hoped to pick up both of Lethbridge's seats in 2023 but fell short. Now, the focus is on Lethbridge-West, the lone riding south of Calgary where the NDP has consistently found success.
For the UCP, winning back Lethbridge-West could signal a broader conservative resurgence in a region where the NDP has remained competitive. For the Alberta NDP, this is also the first electoral test for newly minted leader Naheed Nenshi. Despite speculation, Nenshi declined to run in the by-election himself, candidly admitting in a press conference after winning the leadership, "I'll be honest, I don't know that city that well" when asked by the Globe and Mail if he would run in the riding left vacant by retiring MLA Phillips.
Nonetheless, Nenshi has since made frequent trips to Lethbridge since assuming leadership, signalling how crucial this race is to his party's fortunes beyond the urban centres of Calgary and Edmonton.
For Nenshi, formerly Calgary’s mayor from 2010 to 2021, this by-election offers him a chance to introduce himself to a broader Alberta audience. His ability to connect with voters outside his stronghold of Calgary will be closely watched. For Premier Danielle Smith, meanwhile, the stakes are equally high. She’ll be looking to secure another conservative stronghold in southern Alberta, an area that has historically favoured right-leaning parties before 2015. The UCP’s choice of Middleton-Hope, a local councillor, signals a strategic play to leverage name recognition in an attempt to bring the seat back into the conservative fold.
The last conservative MLA to hold Lethbridge-West was Greg Weadick, who served from 2008 to 2015 and, like Middleton-Hope, and also had a stint on Lethbridge City Council. The UCP is banking on this local connection to turn the riding blue again after Phillips’ tenure.
As both parties make their pitch, the broader question remains: Will municipal experience translate to success at the provincial level? Can Danielle Smith cement her brand by winning a seat the UCP has been targeting since 2019? And will Nenshi's leadership resonate in a riding that was arguably a Phillips stronghold rather than a natural NDP seat?
One thing is for certain: with local politicians in the spotlight and the province’s political heavyweights rallying behind them, Lethbridge-West is about to experience a full-scale battle of city hall politics on the provincial stage.
Comentarios