'We don't have to vote by default': Calgary-Shaw byelection win had little to do with separatism, NDP says

Advertisement 1 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Breadcrumb Trail Links HomeNewsLocal NewsPolitics 'We don't have to vote by default': Calgary-Shaw byelection win had little to do with separatism, NDP says Kyle Campbell won the riding with 7,461 votes, but said that throughout the campaign, constituents brought up the referendum less often than expected Author of the article: By Devon Dekuyper Published Sep 15, 2026 Last updated 2 hours ago 4 minute read Join the conversation Alberta NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi and Kyle Campbell, newly elected NDP MLA for Calgary-Shaw, speak at a press conference in Calgary on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026. Campbell won in the riding byelection held on Monday. Jim Wells/Postmedia Article content NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi and newly elected Calgary-Shaw MLA Kyle Campbell say the Oct. 19 separation vote was not the top issue for most constituents in Monday’s byelection. Article content Campbell, who won the riding with 7,461 votes, beating UCP candidate Mike Derry by 582, said that throughout the campaign, constituents brought up the referendum less often than expected. Article content Article content Article content “I’ve had the opportunity to speak with thousands of residents in the Calgary-Shaw riding,” Campbell said. 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 “They told me about the pressure of rising costs of living and the bills that seem to be piling up, about their struggle to access health care and the concerns about whether they would receive care when they need it, and about their overcrowded schools.” Article content Those conversations, coupled with the result of Monday’s vote, indicate an overarching disillusionment with the UCP government in a riding that has historically been primarily conservative, Nenshi said. Article content “I was a little surprised. I thought everyone would want to be talking about the referendum,” he said. “I think that this byelection really proved that our party understands the needs of Calgary.” Article content Nenshi described the Calgary-Shaw riding as “the most rock-ribbed conservative riding in the province,” making the result all the more significant. Article content “This wasn’t just people…