CALGARY — The byelections haven’t been called yet but most of Alberta’s main political parties are already gearing up for campaigns in Calgary and Edmonton.
The Wildrose party says John Fletcher, a retired army colonel, will carry its flag in Calgary-Elbow, the constituency recently held by former premier Alison Redford.
The New Democrats have nominated Stephanie McLean, a defence lawyer.
The Progressive Conservatives say the deadline for people to declare they want to run for the Tory nomination in Calgary-Elbow is 4 p.m. today.
That is also the deadline the Tories have set for candidates who want to seek the nomination in Edmonton-Whitemud, the constituency held by outgoing former premier David Hancock.
It is expected that former Edmonton mayor Stephen Mandel will run in Edmonton-Whitemud.
Premier Jim Prentice is also expected to run in a byelection in Calgary and has promised the byelections will be wrapped up before the legislature resumes business on Nov. 17.
There are no other seats open in Calgary, but backbencher Neil Brown has said he will resign in Calgary-Mackay-Nose Hill if Prentice wants to run there.