Calgary Political Profile: A History of Conservatism and Shifting Trends
Calgary stands as the most conservative major city in Canada, a political identity deeply rooted in the region's early development. This leaning dates back to the era before Alberta became a province, specifically when Prime Minister John A. Macdonald oversaw the selection of the Kickinghorse Pass in Southern Alberta over the Yellowhead Pass in Central Alberta for the route of the new Canadian Pacific Railway.
Before Alberta joined the confederation in 1905, the area was represented by the Alberta (Provisional District) riding. From 1904 to 1917, the city was served by the Calgary riding before it was eventually divided into Calgary East and Calgary West.
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Key Facts
- Conservative Stronghold: Historically, Calgary has been a clean sweep for right-wing parties in nearly every election from 1972 to 2011.
- Party Evolution: The city's right-wing support shifted from the Progressive Conservatives (through 1988) to Reform (1993, 1997), the Canadian Alliance (2000), and finally the Conservative Party (2004–present).
- Affluent Hubs: The highest Conservative support (often exceeding 70%) is found in Calgary Heritage and Calgary Midnapore.
- Recent Shifts: While historically dominant, the Conservatives have faced challenges in urban centers like Calgary Centre and Calgary Skyview.
The Era of Right-Wing Dominance
For decades, Calgary mirrored the political landscape of rural Alberta. Between 1972 and 2011, the city almost exclusively supported the primary right-wing party of the era. The only notable exception occurred in 2000, when former Prime Minister Joe Clark won Calgary Centre for the Progressive Conservatives. This anomaly was attributed to Clark's personal prominence and voter dissatisfaction with Canadian Alliance candidate Eric Lowther regarding Stockwell Day's stances on same-sex marriage.
Following Clark's retirement, the city returned to a Conservative sweep from 2004 to 2011. During this period, the Conservatives secured outright majorities in every riding, as the remaining votes were split among the Liberals, New Democratic Party (NDP), and Greens.
Emerging Political Diversification
The trend of total dominance began to shift during the November 26, 2012, by-election in Calgary Centre. Liberal candidate Harvey Locke captured nearly 33% of the vote, leaving Conservative Joan Crockatt with just under 37%. This marked the closest a centre-left party had come to winning a Calgary seat in recent memory.
By 2015, the political landscape shifted further. Kent Hehr, a longtime Liberal MLA, won Calgary Centre, and Darshan Kang won Calgary Skyview. These were the first Liberal MPs elected in Calgary since Pat Mahoney served Calgary South from 1968 to 1972. Prior to 2015, the Liberals had only ever elected three MPs from Calgary-based ridings, each serving only a single term.
The 2019 election saw a return to form with a "blue wave" across Alberta, where Conservatives won all ten Calgary seats by margins of 10,000 votes or more. However, the 2021 election saw the Liberals reclaim Calgary Skyview, though vote-splitting between the Liberals and NDP allowed Conservatives to retain the remaining seats.
Current Trends and Demographics
In 2025, the political map shifted again. While the Liberals lost Calgary Skyview and failed to capture Calgary McKnight, they gained the downtown seat of Calgary Confederation for the first time. This left the Liberals with a single seat in the city.
Demographically, Conservative support remains strongest in affluent, ethnically homogeneous areas. Conversely, visible minority communities are concentrated in northeastern ridings such as Calgary McKnight, Calgary Skyview, and Calgary Forest Lawn, though these areas frequently record some of the lowest voter turnout levels in urban Canada.
Historical Voting Data
The following table outlines the distribution of votes by party in Calgary across several decades.
| Election | Liberal | Conservative | NDP | Green | People's | PC | Reform/Alliance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | 25.4% | — | 9.1% | — | — | 63.5% | — |
| 1984 | 14.9% | — | 11.7% | 0.5% | — | 70.4% | — |
| 1993 | 23.8% | — | 2.7% | 0.5% | — | 16.2% | 53.1% |
| 2004 | 23.1% | 60.9% | 7.9% | 7.5% | — | — | — |
| 2011 | 13.7% | 65.9% | 12.4% | 7.7% | — | — | — |
| 2015 | 33.1% | 56.3% | 7.1% | 2.5% | — | — | — |
| 2019 | 18.1% | 65.8% | 9.9% | 3.7% | 1.9% | — | — |
| 2021 | 22.5% | 53.4% | 16.7% | 1.8% | 4.5% | — | — |
| 2025 | 37.2% | 58.1% | 3.0% | 0.6% | 0.5% | — | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Calgary historically so conservative?
Calgary's political leaning is linked to its early development, specifically the decision by Prime Minister John A. Macdonald to route the Canadian Pacific Railway through the Kickinghorse Pass in Southern Alberta.
Which ridings are the strongest Conservative bastions?
Calgary Heritage and Calgary Midnapore are the most consistently conservative ridings, often seeing support levels exceed 70% due to their affluent and ethnically homogeneous populations.
When did the Liberals last make significant gains in Calgary?
The Liberals saw a significant breakthrough in 2015, electing MPs in Calgary Centre and Calgary Skyview, the first such wins since the early 1970s.
How has the right-wing party structure changed in Calgary?
Support has transitioned through several iterations: from the Progressive Conservatives until 1988, to the Reform Party (1993–1997), the Canadian Alliance (2000), and finally the unified Conservative Party from 2004 onward.
What is the current status of Liberal representation in Calgary?
As of 2025, the Liberals hold a single seat in Calgary, having gained the downtown riding of Calgary Confederation while losing Calgary Skyview.