Episode Details

Alberta’s political landscape just got a fresh challenger: the Progressive Tory Party, led by ex-UCP MLA Peter Guthrie, has officially launched with Bonnie Critchley as its first candidate in Calgary-Shaw. A retired Canadian Armed Forces member and former federal byelection runner-up against Pierre Poilievre, Critchley is now targeting provincial power, criticizing government overreach like using the notwithstanding clause to end the teachers’ strike—and vows to hold politicians accountable through new anti-corruption legislation. Guthrie, expelled from the UCP for pushing health procurement probes, rebranded his party from “conservative” to “tory” to skirt legal restrictions. With ambitions to run candidates in all 91 ridings ahead of 2027, the party positions itself as a moderate alternative to the UCP’s rightward shift, arguing voters want authentic representation—not just opposition. While some fear they’ll split conservative votes, others see them drawing from NDP’s centrist base. Critchley remains upbeat, confident her riding’s voters crave voices that speak to their values, not just react to headlines.

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