Alberta NDP accuses UCP candidate of getting government help in Calgary-Shaw byelection campaign

Advertisement 1 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Breadcrumb Trail Links HomeNewsLocal NewsPolitics Alberta NDP accuses UCP candidate of getting government help in Calgary-Shaw byelection campaign Official Opposition files complaint to Elections Alberta over alleged infraction of campaign contribution rules Author of the article: By Devon Dekuyper Published Sep 06, 2026 3 minute read Join the conversation A voter submits their ballot during an election in Calgary on Monday, May 29, 2023. Azin Ghaffari/Postmedia file Article content Alberta’s NDP is raising eyebrows at a UCP campaign video ahead of the Calgary-Shaw byelection. Article content The video, shared by Calgary-Shaw candidate Mike Derry and Premier Danielle Smith on Sept. 1, included footage of the new Evanston Heights School, which had not yet been opened to the public at the time the video was posted. Article content Article content The same footage was also used in a video shared by Infrastructure Minister Martin Long on Sept. 3. Article content Article content In a letter sent to Elections Alberta Friday, NDP director Heather Wilson requested an investigation into whether the video footage constitutes a use of Government of Alberta resources toward the campaign, as prohibited by the Election Finances and Contributions Disclosure Act. Article content Noon News Roundup Your weekday lunchtime roundup of curated links, news highlights, analysis and features. Sign Up By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Article content “The video footage is clearly government footage that only could be ascertained by the Government of Alberta,” Wilson said in the letter. Article content “Government resources are not a permitted source of contributions, and the production of advertising or promotional material constitutes a campaign expense and may also constitute a non-monetary contribution.” Article content In response to the NDP’s letter, UCP director of communications Dave Prisco called out the NDP’s use of a U.S. ad agency, as reported by CBC last fall. Article content “The United Conservative Party paid a third party in Alberta to make this video, unlike the NDP, who hired an American ad agency in New York City, the same one behind socialist Mayor Zohran Mamdani, to make their campaign ads,” Prisco said in an emailed statement. Article content Wilson…