Author of the article: Stephanie Babych
Publishing date:Sep 18, 2021 • 
Conservative incumbent Greg McLean (left) and Liberal candidate Sabrina Grover (right) are among candidates vying for the seat in Calgary Centre.
Calgary Centre, a riding that has proven to be a wild card in the Conservative heartland of Alberta, is once again polling too close to call between the riding’s blue and red candidates.
Calgary Centre is bound by Bow Trail to the north, the Bow River to the north and east, Glenmore Trail to the south and 37th Street S.W. to the west. With a younger and more diverse population than many other areas of the city, Calgary Centre is one of the few Alberta ridings considered to be in play this election.
The greater ethnicity and income diversity in the riding lend itself to a more progressive voter base, says Mount Royal University political scientist Lori Williams.
The riding has historically leaned progressive conservative, Williams said. Notably, Calgary Centre elected former prime minister Joe Clark, leader of the Progressive Conservative Party, 21 years ago.
But in 2015, when Justin Trudeau first became prime minister, Kent Hehr in Calgary Centre and Darshan Kang in Calgary Skyview won their seats, becoming the first Liberals elected in Calgary since 1968.
The Tories took back both ridings in 2019, painting the entire city and most of Alberta blue. Conservative candidate Greg McLean beat Hehr with 57 per cent of the vote.
This time, McLean’s biggest competition in the race, according to the polls, is Liberal candidate Sabrina Grover.
Pollster 338Canada has McLean ahead of Grover by about five points, with projected vote shares of 43 per cent and 38 per cent, respectively.
As the most recent MP, McLean will have greater name recognition than his opponents, which could give him the slight edge needed to win a tight race, Williams said. “It’s certainly going to give him a bit more momentum than a brand new candidate.”
But the Liberal candidate’s profile has been raised by hard work and an unfortunate incident.
“A lot of us were a bit surprised by the Liberal candidate in Calgary Centre because we know that it is going to be a riding that will be in play. But I have to say, (Grover) has done a really good job of connecting with people. She’s a strong candidate, personally. She’s just not as well known.”
Hehr was a good candidate for the riding in 2015 because he had previously represented the area at a provincial level. And while Grover doesn’t have the same name recognition, she has done a “remarkable” job of raising her profile, said Williams.
“This is a closer race than I would have expected.”
Where Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole might appeal to the progressive conservative voters, Trudeau’s financial supports likely helped many in the city centre through the pandemic.
“That will be more keenly felt by the population we have in Calgary Centre,” explained Williams, an area where there is a mix of middle-class neighbourhoods, university students and homeless shelters.
Grover said the conversations she’s had over the last few weeks have been positive and engaging.
“My experiences reflect the experiences of a lot of people in this riding,” she said.
“People want an economy that is built, not for the next 18 months, but for the next 18 years. They want an economy that is built on a clean and sustainable future, and they know that Calgary has the potential, the powerhouse, to be a leader in the low-carbon economy. At the end of the day, I think I’m the right person because I have an appreciation for all of those other things that go into building this amazing city that aren’t oil and gas.”
Another one of the greatest concerns people have brought up at the doors is ending the fight against COVID-19.
“We have a federal government that is taking leadership on that, especially where the province has continued to let Albertans down,” said Grover.
Polling third in the riding is NDP candidate Juan Estevez, who said he’s running to have engaging conversations with voters and advocate for a more progressive Calgary.
“I can really connect with the students and younger people in the community,” said Estevez. “A lot of people like what the NDP has put forward on expanded health care and meaningful action on climate change.”
Austin Mullins is running for the Green party for a second time because he sees value in holding other candidates accountable.
“I represent change in a way we don’t often see in politics,” said Mullins. “I’m 23 and queer and working class. I work at Starbucks.
“I’m someone who comes from the bottom and really understands what people need. We’re missing that link in Parliament.”
An election forum with the candidates was scheduled to take place on Thursday at MRU but was cancelled due to the province’s newly introduced health measures.
Also running in Calgary Centre is Dawid Pawlowski with the Christian Heritage party. He and his brother Artur have been before the courts for challenging public health orders on the COVID-19 pandemic.
sbabych@postmedia.com
Twitter: @BabychStephanie
Calgary Centre, a riding that has proven to be a wild card in the Conservative heartland of Alberta, is once again polling too close to call between the riding’s blue and red candidates.
Calgary Centre is bound by Bow Trail to the north, the Bow River to the north and east, Glenmore Trail to the south and 37th Street S.W. to the west. With a younger and more diverse population than many other areas of the city, Calgary Centre is one of the few Alberta ridings considered to be in play this election.
The greater ethnicity and income diversity in the riding lend itself to a more progressive voter base, says Mount Royal University political scientist Lori Williams.
The riding has historically leaned progressive conservative, Williams said. Notably, Calgary Centre elected former prime minister Joe Clark, leader of the Progressive Conservative Party, 21 years ago.
But in 2015, when Justin Trudeau first became prime minister, Kent Hehr in Calgary Centre and Darshan Kang in Calgary Skyview won their seats, becoming the first Liberals elected in Calgary since 1968.
The Tories took back both ridings in 2019, painting the entire city and most of Alberta blue. Conservative candidate Greg McLean beat Hehr with 57 per cent of the vote.
This time, McLean’s biggest competition in the race, according to the polls, is Liberal candidate Sabrina Grover.
Pollster 338Canada has McLean ahead of Grover by about five points, with projected vote shares of 43 per cent and 38 per cent, respectively.
As the most recent MP, McLean will have greater name recognition than his opponents, which could give him the slight edge needed to win a tight race, Williams said. “It’s certainly going to give him a bit more momentum than a brand new candidate.”
But the Liberal candidate’s profile has been raised by hard work and an unfortunate incident.
“A lot of us were a bit surprised by the Liberal candidate in Calgary Centre because we know that it is going to be a riding that will be in play. But I have to say, (Grover) has done a really good job of connecting with people. She’s a strong candidate, personally. She’s just not as well known.”
Hehr was a good candidate for the riding in 2015 because he had previously represented the area at a provincial level. And while Grover doesn’t have the same name recognition, she has done a “remarkable” job of raising her profile, said Williams.
“This is a closer race than I would have expected.”
Where Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole might appeal to the progressive conservative voters, Trudeau’s financial supports likely helped many in the city centre through the pandemic.
“That will be more keenly felt by the population we have in Calgary Centre,” explained Williams, an area where there is a mix of middle-class neighbourhoods, university students and homeless shelters.
Grover said the conversations she’s had over the last few weeks have been positive and engaging.
“My experiences reflect the experiences of a lot of people in this riding,” she said.
“People want an economy that is built, not for the next 18 months, but for the next 18 years. They want an economy that is built on a clean and sustainable future, and they know that Calgary has the potential, the powerhouse, to be a leader in the low-carbon economy. At the end of the day, I think I’m the right person because I have an appreciation for all of those other things that go into building this amazing city that aren’t oil and gas.”
Another one of the greatest concerns people have brought up at the doors is ending the fight against COVID-19.
“We have a federal government that is taking leadership on that, especially where the province has continued to let Albertans down,” said Grover.
Liberal candidate Sabrina Grover is not happy to hear a couple of her volunteers were assaulted campaigning in Calgary Centre in Calgary on Tuesday, September 7, 2021.
PHOTO BY DARREN MAKOWICHUK/POSTMEDIA
Recently, two of Grover’s volunteers were hit and spat on by a man while door-knocking in a Beltline apartment building. News about the attack garnered national attention.
Williams argued the incident may have raised Grover’s profile.
“It raised the issue of inappropriate and undemocratic behaviour,” she said. “There might be backlash from some people who move to support her or the Liberal party, in general, as a result of that.”
McLean declined Postmedia’s request for an interview.
McLean served as the shadow minister for Natural Resources under O’Toole and was vice-chair of the standing committee on natural resources. He previously served as the deputy shadow minister for National Revenue and as a member of the justice and human rights committee.
Recently, two of Grover’s volunteers were hit and spat on by a man while door-knocking in a Beltline apartment building. News about the attack garnered national attention.
Williams argued the incident may have raised Grover’s profile.
“It raised the issue of inappropriate and undemocratic behaviour,” she said. “There might be backlash from some people who move to support her or the Liberal party, in general, as a result of that.”
McLean declined Postmedia’s request for an interview.
McLean served as the shadow minister for Natural Resources under O’Toole and was vice-chair of the standing committee on natural resources. He previously served as the deputy shadow minister for National Revenue and as a member of the justice and human rights committee.
Conservative candidate Greg McLean was still door knocking during election day in Calgary on Monday, October 21, 2019.
Darren Makowichuk/Postmedia
Polling third in the riding is NDP candidate Juan Estevez, who said he’s running to have engaging conversations with voters and advocate for a more progressive Calgary.
“I can really connect with the students and younger people in the community,” said Estevez. “A lot of people like what the NDP has put forward on expanded health care and meaningful action on climate change.”
Austin Mullins is running for the Green party for a second time because he sees value in holding other candidates accountable.
“I represent change in a way we don’t often see in politics,” said Mullins. “I’m 23 and queer and working class. I work at Starbucks.
“I’m someone who comes from the bottom and really understands what people need. We’re missing that link in Parliament.”
An election forum with the candidates was scheduled to take place on Thursday at MRU but was cancelled due to the province’s newly introduced health measures.
Also running in Calgary Centre is Dawid Pawlowski with the Christian Heritage party. He and his brother Artur have been before the courts for challenging public health orders on the COVID-19 pandemic.
sbabych@postmedia.com
Twitter: @BabychStephanie
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