Alberta’s emerging Progressive Tory Party has officially chosen its first candidate and is preparing to field a contender in the upcoming byelection in Calgary-Shaw. The provincial party, led by Airdrie-Cochrane MLA Peter Guthrie, rebranded as the Progressive Tory Party last year following Guthrie’s leadership transition from the inactive Alberta Party. Guthrie, a former UCP MLA and cabinet minister, now represents the Progressive Tory Party in Alberta’s legislative assembly.
Bonnie Critchley, a retired member of the Canadian Armed Forces who previously contested Pierre Poilievre in the August 2025 federal byelection in Battle River-Crowfoot, has been selected as the Progressive Tory candidate for the provincial Camrose riding. Poilievre secured 81% of the vote in the federal byelection, with Critchley placing second with 9.8% of the ballots.
In an interview with CBC News, Critchley revealed that she had not initially planned to return to political office after challenging Poilievre in a riding where he had no ties. However, her stance shifted when the UCP government swiftly passed legislation to end a teachers’ strike last fall, utilizing the notwithstanding clause to protect the bill from legal challenges.
Feeling compelled by the circumstances, Critchley engaged with Guthrie and reluctantly decided to enter the race for the 2027 provincial election. She emphasized the urgency of defending Canadians’ rights and highlighted the need for a Progressive Tory government to introduce new accountability measures to combat corruption.
Critchley’s nomination marks a significant milestone for the nascent political party, which was essentially built from the ground up. Following his expulsion from the UCP caucus for advocating a public inquiry into Alberta Health Services’ procurement practices, Guthrie endeavored to revive the Progressive Conservative Party, eventually settling on the name Progressive Tory Party to comply with legislation restricting certain terms in political party names.
Since January, Guthrie has been diligently establishing the party’s infrastructure, forming 30 constituency associations with plans to nominate additional candidates in the coming weeks. The party aims to field a full slate of candidates in the fall 2027 provincial election and intends to participate in the upcoming Calgary-Shaw byelection to replace former UCP MLA Rebecca Schulz, who resigned in May.
While the UCP remains confident in retaining voter support, Guthrie and Critchley dismiss concerns about vote-splitting and its potential impact on the NDP. Guthrie emphasized the Progressive Tory Party’s commitment to maintaining Alberta’s unity within Canada, a stance that Critchley believes resonates with the majority of voters in Camrose.
The involvement of the Progressive Tories in the provincial election raises questions about their impact on the political landscape, with differing perspectives on how they might influence the electoral dynamics. Former NDP MLA Shannon Phillips suggests that the Progressive Tories could disrupt the NDP’s position as the centrist option in Alberta, emphasizing the importance of defining a clear purpose and message to engage with voters effectively.
Guthrie remains optimistic about the party’s prospects, recognizing the evolving nature of politics and the potential for rapid shifts in public sentiment. Critchley echoes the sentiment by underlining the significance of allowing voters to support representatives who align with their values rather than voting out of fear, emphasizing the need for a distinct political identity for the Progressive Tory Party.