Canada election 2015: For once, Alberta is a campaign battleground

Battleground Alberta is rarely a phrase heard during federal campaigns. 

Election after election, Alberta has been solidly conservative, whether the party is Progressive Conservative, Reform, Canadian Alliance or Conservative.

When Parliament was dissolved on Sunday, every Alberta riding, except two, was held by the Conservatives.

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 Many people were expecting the same result on Oct. 19. But the election of an NDP provincial government in May suggests Albertans can have an appetite for change. 

"We're used to people flying over and not paying any attention to us," said Lori Williams, an associate professor in policy studies at Mount Royal University. 

"It's interesting to see that vote is not being taken for granted anymore."

The interest in the October vote can be seen by who is choosing to run. 

The Liberals have attracted a number of high profile candidates in Calgary and Edmonton.

The NDP has only seven candidates so far, but many of the upcoming nominations will be contested. In one riding, Calgary Confederation, five people are running to represent the NDP.

In the past couple of weeks, the Conservatives stepped up with announcements from Alberta federal ministers Rona Ambrose, Jason Kenney and Tim Uppal.

Calgary hit the infrastructure jackpot, getting $1.53 billion for the Green Line LRT and another $583 million for the southwest ring road.

Political scientist Anthony Sayers of the University of Calgary says this could be interpreted in two ways.

"Sensible politics to shore up your base or response to some concern about Calgary," he said.

The provincial NDP win isn't the only factor. Alberta gained six new ridings in the last boundary redistribution.

And long-term Conservative MPs like James Rajotte, Laurie Hawn,  Diane Ablonczy, Brian Storseth, Peter Goldring and Rob Anders are not running again, so many ridings won't have incumbents.

Ridings to watch:

Edmonton Mill Woods

Tim Uppal, the Conservative incumbent in Edmonton-Sherwood Park and minister of state for multiculturalism, is being challenged by Edmonton city councillor Amarjeet Sohi, who is running for the Liberals. The NDP candidate will be nominated on Aug. 26.

Edmonton Centre

Incumbent Conservative MP Laurie Hawn isn't running again in this riding that was held previously by Liberal Anne McLellan. Randy Boissonnault is the Liberal candidate this time around. Three people are seeking the NDP nomination: Reakash Walters, Mark Crawford, and Gil McGowan, president of the Alberta Federation of Labour. David Parker is the Green Party candidate. Blaine Bilocerkowec is running for the Libertarian Party. James Cumming is the Conservative candidate. 

Edmonton West

Karen Leibovici, the former MLA, Edmonton city councillor and mayoral candidate, is trying to make a political comeback as the Liberal candidate. She is facing Heather MacKenzie for the NDP, Conservative Kelly McCauley and Pam Bryan of the Green Party.

Calgary Centre

This riding is shaping up as a battle between incumbent Conservative MP Joan Crockatt and Liberal Kent Hehr, the veteran Alberta MLA who left provincial politics last spring. Thana Boonlert is the Green candidate. The NDP candidate has yet to be decided. 

Calgary Confederation

Len Webber, the former MLA who left the PCs in spring of 2014 because he was frustrated with the leadership of former premier Alison Redford, is the federal Conservative candidate.  Liberal Matthew Grant has been running an active campaign. Natalie Odd is the Green Party candidate. At least five people are vying for the NDP nomination: Noel Keough, Arti Modgill, Danielle Nadeau McMillan, Marc Power and Kirk Heuser

Calgary Skyview

Darshan Kang, the former Liberal MLA for Calgary-McCall, is running against Conservative Devinder Shory, the incumbent in the former Calgary-Northeast riding. Edward Reddy is the Green Party candidate and Stephen Garvey is running for the Democratic Advancement party. The NDP has yet to nominate a candidate.

Fort McMurray-Cold Lake 

Conservative David Yurdiga, the incumbent, and Liberal Kyle Harrietha face each other in a rematch of last year's byelection which was triggered by the resignation of former MP, now Wildrose leader, Brian Jean. Only 15 per cent of eligible voters cast a ballot in the June 2014 contest. Scott Berry is running for the Libertarian Party. The NDP has yet to nominate a candidate