Local Political Candidates

The Yellowhead riding in Alberta is one of the constituencies for the 2025 Canadian federal election, scheduled for April 28, 2025. This riding, which has been reconfigured following the dissolution of the former Red Deer-Mountain View riding, covers a vast and diverse area including Sundre, Cremona, Caroline, Rocky Mountain House, Clearwater County, Banff, Canmore, Crossfield, Edson, Hinton, Jasper, and several other communities and municipal districts1256. Elections Canada confirmed the list of candidates for the Yellowhead riding on April 9, 2025, after nominations closed on April 7146. Below is a detailed overview of the five candidates running in this riding for the 45th Canadian Parliament.

Candidates for Yellowhead Riding

• Vicky Bayford (People’s Party of Canada - PPC): Bayford, a former leader of the Independence Party of Alberta, is capitalizing on the PPC’s strong performance in Yellowhead during the 2021 election, where the party secured over 12% of the vote, the highest in any Alberta riding at that time3. Her platform focuses on reducing government size, disengaging from global organizations like the United Nations, and advocating for Alberta’s independence through a referendum3. Bayford emphasizes the need for more local representation, proposing multiple MP offices and regular town halls to address constituent concerns3. She is confirmed to attend the candidates’ forum in Banff7.

• Michael Fark (Liberal Party of Canada - LPC): Fark, who has served as the director of recovery in Jasper following last year’s wildfires, is the Liberal candidate aiming to improve the party’s standing after a fourth-place finish in 20213. He advocates for stronger federal representation for rural Alberta, criticizing past political decisions for ignoring local challenges3. Fark has expressed concerns about his party’s pledge to eliminate national park admission fees, highlighting the need for a plan to offset revenue loss3. He is confirmed to attend the Banff forum7.

• Dale Heath (Christian Heritage Party of Canada - CHP): Heath represents the Christian Heritage Party in the Yellowhead riding, though specific details about his platform or background are not widely covered in the provided information124. His candidacy adds to the diversity of perspectives in this five-way race.

• Avni Soma (New Democratic Party - NDP): Based in Canmore, Soma is taking a long-term approach to building NDP support in a traditionally Conservative-dominated riding35. As co-founder of Farm Box, she has been engaging with the community for over six months, focusing on sustained relationship-building3. Despite facing vandalism of her campaign signs with slurs, Soma attributes this to broader political frustrations and remains committed to returning in future elections if unsuccessful this time3. She is confirmed for the Banff forum7.

• William Stevenson (Conservative Party of Canada - CPC): Stevenson, a Mountain View County resident, is described by the Conservative Party as an accountant, farmer, and father who understands key local issues like affordability and crime35. While he has experience in financial roles within the party, he did not respond to interview requests from CBC News3. The Yellowhead riding has historically been a safe Conservative seat, and Stevenson aims to maintain this trend3. He is confirmed to attend the Banff forum7.

Election Details and Public Engagement

The Yellowhead riding election is set for April 28, 2025, with advance polling available from April 18 to 21256. Public engagement opportunities include a meet-and-greet event hosted by the Sundre and District Chamber of Commerce on April 16, 2025, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Sundre Community Centre, where candidates will present their platforms and interact with attendees26. Additionally, an all-candidates forum in Banff, moderated by Mountain FM Radio Host Rob Murray, will allow candidates to share their visions for Canada and the Bow Valley, with public questions accepted via QR code during the event7. Four candidates (Bayford, Fark, Soma, and Stevenson) are confirmed to attend, while a potential Green Party candidate, William Marshall, has been invited but remains unconfirmed7.

Key Issues in Yellowhead

Voter concerns in this geographically diverse riding include housing affordability, cost of living, tourism, wildfire mitigation, and oil and gas development3. Candidates are addressing these issues through varied platforms, with some focusing on local representation and others on broader policy changes like sovereignty and federal-provincial relations3. Historically, the Conservatives have dominated Yellowhead, with the NDP often finishing second in recent elections, though the PPC’s strong 2021 performance indicates a shifting political landscape3.

Citations:

1. https://www.stalbertgazette.com/2025-federal-election-canada/ponoka-didsbury-yellowhead-riding-federal-election-candidates-confirmed-10499865
2. https://www.mymountainviewnow.com/24634/featured/meet-the-candidates-for-yellowhead-on-april-16-in-sundre/
3. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/yellowhead-housing-affordability-1.7515997
4. https://www.bigwestcountry.ca/2025/04/10/elections-canada-finalizes-list-of-federal-election-candidates-across-the-country-five-certified-in-yellowhead/
5. https://www.stalbertgazette.com/2025-federal-election-canada/yellowhead-ponoka-didsbury-candidates-readying-for-april-federal-election-10425718
6. https://www.westernwheel.ca/2025-federal-election-canada/ponoka-didsbury-yellowhead-riding-federal-election-candidates-confirmed-10499865
7. https://www.banffcentre.ca/events/2025-federal-election-candidates-forum-yellowhead
8. https://www.elections.ca/Scripts/vis/candidates?L=e&ED=48037&EV=62&EV_TYPE=1&PROV=AB&PROVID=48&QID=-1&PAGEID=17
9. https://www.townandcountrytoday.com/2025-federal-election-canada/ponoka-didsbury-yellowhead-riding-federal-election-candidates-confirmed-10499865
10. https://cochranenow.com/articles/3-of-5-yellowhead-candidates-appearing-at-springbank-forum
11. https://rdnewsnow.com/2025/04/11/federal-election-candidates-set-for-local-ridings/
12. https://www.elections.ab.ca
13. https://www.rmoutlook.com/2025-federal-election-canada/federal-election-2025-conservatives-forecasted-to-win-yellowhead-but-political-scientist-warns-of-complex-election-10541503
14. https://www.elections.ca/Scripts/vis/candidates?L=e&ED=48037&EV=62&EV_TYPE=1&PROV=CA&PROVID=99&QID=-1&PAGEID=17
15. https://www.jasperlocal.com/2025/03/27/jaspers-director-of-recovery-tapped-as-liberal-candidate-in-yellowhead/
16. https://www.ctvnews.ca/calgary/article/here-are-the-federal-election-candidates-running-in-and-around-calgary/
17. https://www.rmoutlook.com/2025-federal-election-canada/final-list-of-election-candidates-confirmed-for-foothills-10499824
18. https://www.elections.ca/content2.aspx?section=can&dir=cand%2Flst%2FAB&document=index&lang=e

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