2022 Fort McMurray-Lac La Biche provincial by-election

The 2022 Fort McMurray-Lac La Biche by-election took place on March 15, 2022. The seat was left vacant on August 15, 2021, when incumbent MLA Laila Goodridge resigned to run in that year's federal election as the Conservative candidate in the riding of Fort McMurray—Cold Lake.[1]

2022 Fort McMurray-Lac La Biche provincial by-election
March 15, 2022 (2022-03-15)
Seat of Fort McMurray-Lac La Biche
Registered24,048
Turnout24.27% (Decrease33.98 pp)
  First party Second party Third party
 
NDP
Candidate Brian Jean Ariana Mancini Paul Hinman
Party United Conservative New Democratic Wildrose Independence
Popular vote 3,714 1,081 628
Percentage 63.6% 18.5% 10.8%
Swing Decrease2.73 pp Decrease6.01 pp N/A
MLA before election

Laila Goodridge
United Conservative

 Elected MLA

Brian Jean
United Conservative

The by-election was won by former MLA Brian Jean of the United Conservative Party, who previously led the Wildrose Party before its merger with the Progressive Conservative Association of Alberta in 2017.

Background

Riding profile
This section is an excerpt from Fort McMurray-Lac La Biche § Geography.[edit]
The district is located in northeastern Alberta and is named for its main communities: it includes all of Lac La Biche County and the southern half of Fort McMurray (Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo). It also contains two reserves belonging to the Fort McMurray First Nation (Clearwater 175 and Gregoire Lake 176), all three reserves of the Chipewyan Prairie First Nation, the Heart Lake First Nation (on Heart Lake 167), the main reserve of the Beaver Lake Cree Nation, Beaver Lake 131, and one of the Saddle Lake Cree Nation's reserves (Whitefish Lake 128). Major transportation routes include Alberta Highways 36 (Veterans Memorial Highway), 55 (Northern Woods and Water Route), 63, and 881.

Resignation of Laila Goodridge

On August 14, 2021, incumbent Conservative MP for Fort McMurray—Cold Lake David Yurdiga decided not to seek re-election and communicated his decision to party leader Erin O'Toole the same day.[2] The announcement was made public on August 15, with a party spokesman citing health concerns for his decision.[2]

The same day, Lalia Goodridge resigned her seat in the Legislative Assembly and was chosen by the Conservative Party as Yurdiga's replacement.[3][1] Her appointment as candidate was criticized by party's local electoral district association in a Facebook post on August 20, stating the association was preparing to hold a nominating contest and was "blindsided" by the federal party's appointment.[4]

Results

Brian Jean won the by-election in a landslide, retaining the seat for the United Conservative Party.[5]

Alberta provincial by-election, 15 March 2022: Fort McMurray-Lac La Biche
Party Candidate Votes%±%
United ConservativeBrian Jean3,71763.6%-2.73
New DemocraticAriana Mancini1,08118.5%-6.01
Wildrose IndependencePaul Hinman62810.8%–
LiberalAbdulhakim Hussein2113.6%–
Alberta PartyMichelle Landsiedel981.7%-4.08
IndependentBrian Deheer571.0%–
Alberta Advantage PartyMarilyn Burns250.4%–
Alberta IndependenceSteven Mellott240.4%-1.43
Total valid votes 5,841
Total rejected ballots 0
Turnout 24.27%
Eligible voters 24,048

References
  1. Beamish, Laura (2021-08-16). "Laila Goodridge running as Conservative MP candidate for Fort McMurray-Cold Lake, resigned as UCP MLA". Edmonton Journal. Archived from the original on 2021-08-16. Retrieved 2022-11-22.
  2. McDermott, Vincent (2021-08-15). "Yurdiga not seeking reelection as Conservative MP for Fort McMurray-Cold Lake". Fort McMurray Today. Archived from the original on 2021-08-15. Retrieved 2022-11-22.
  3. French, Janet (2021-08-16). "Laila Goodridge resigns seat as Fort McMurray MLA to run for federal Conservatives". CBC News. Archived from the original on 2021-08-16. Retrieved 2022-11-22.
  4. Joannou, Ashley (2021-08-20). "Fort McMurray board 'apalled' Laila Goodridge appointed to run for Conservatives in federal election". Edmonton Journal. Archived from the original on 2021-08-20. Retrieved 2022-11-22.
  5. "Provincial Results". Elections Alberta. 2022-06-29. Archived from the original on 2022-06-29. Retrieved 2022-11-22.
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