Alberta's new riding map skews Lethbridge, Banff, Calgary seats toward UCP, voter data suggests

Edmonton - Alberta's ruling United Conservatives have officially supported a revised map of provincial electoral districts, which the opposition New Democratic Party alleges is designed to give the UCP an advantage in the upcoming election. The proposed changes were approved by the UCP caucus following a split vote, and are now set to be introduced as legislation for debate in the legislature.

Premier Danielle Smith's government intends to have the new boundaries implemented by year-end, in time for the scheduled 2027 election. The proposed boundaries were produced by a panel whose membership was largely determined by the UCP. Justice Minister Mickey Amery has expressed a desire to see the new districts in place before the election.

The NDP contends that the revised map dilutes urban populations in Lethbridge and Calgary by combining them with nearby rural areas, a tactic known as gerrymandering. The UCP maintains that the hybrid ridings are a legitimate method for drawing electoral boundaries. This report by The Canadian Press was originally published on November 4, 2026.