Alberta’s emerging Progressive Tory Party has officially selected its initial candidate and is gearing up to field a contender in the upcoming byelection in Calgary-Shaw. The provincial party, under the leadership of Airdrie-Cochrane MLA Peter Guthrie, underwent a name change last year following Guthrie’s revival of the dormant Alberta Party. A former UCP MLA and cabinet minister, Guthrie now holds a seat in Alberta’s legislature as a member of the Progressive Tory party.
Bonnie Critchley, a retired member of the Canadian Armed Forces who contested against Pierre Poilievre in the federal byelection in Battle River-Crowfoot in August 2025, has been designated as the Progressive Tory candidate in the provincial Camrose riding. Poilievre secured 81% of the votes in the federal byelection, with Critchley coming in second with 9.8% of the total ballots cast.
In an interview with CBC News, Critchley mentioned that she had not initially planned to pursue another political role after her previous bid against Poilievre. However, her decision changed following the passage of a bill by the UCP government, which swiftly ended a teachers strike last fall using the notwithstanding clause to shield the legislation from legal challenges. Critchley stated that public outcry prompted her to take action, leading her to reluctantly enter the race for the 2027 provincial election after consulting with Guthrie.
Expressing her preference for a more relaxed retirement, Critchley emphasized the urgency of defending Canadians’ rights, citing the need for action against unacceptable governmental overreach. She outlined the Progressive Tory party’s commitment to introducing robust accountability measures as a top priority to hold politicians accountable for corruption.
Guthrie, who had attempted to revive the Progressive Conservative Party after being expelled from the UCP caucus, opted to use “tory” instead of “conservative” in the party’s name due to restrictions imposed by the UCP government on new political party names. Since January, Guthrie has been diligently establishing the party’s infrastructure, including forming constituency associations, with 30 already in place. The party aims to nominate additional candidates in the following weeks and field a full slate of contenders in the fall 2027 provincial election.
While Critchley’s nomination marks a significant milestone for the burgeoning party, both she and Guthrie have rebuffed concerns about potential vote-splitting with the UCP, asserting their party’s distinct positioning. Guthrie underscored the Progressive Tory Party’s commitment to maintaining Alberta’s status within Canada, a stance he believes aligns with the majority sentiment in the Camrose constituency.
Regarding the potential electoral impact of the Progressive Tories, opinions vary among political observers. Former NDP MLA Shannon Phillips suggested that the new party’s centrist positioning could have mixed implications for the UCP and the NDP, emphasizing the importance of a clear party identity beyond mere opposition to existing entities. Guthrie remains optimistic about the party’s prospects, acknowledging the fluidity of political dynamics and the need for readiness to seize opportunities for change.
Critchley highlighted conversations with constituents disillusioned with their past UCP votes, emphasizing the importance of voting for representation rather than fear. Her rallying cry for a return to a more distinct Wildrose identity reflects a broader desire for clearer political choices among voters.
