Calgary-Greenway byelection set for March 22 despite opposition

Premier Rachel Notley confirmed Tuesday that the byelection to fill the seat left vacant by Manmeet Bhullar's death will take place on March 22, and justified the decision by citing her own father's death.

Calgary-Greenwayconstituents will go to the polls in four weeksto elect a new representativeafter their 35-year-old PC MLA was killed in a highwaycrash in November.

The NDP have already selected Roop Rai as their candidate, butthe opposition parties have yet to hold nomination meetings andhave accused the government of calling the byelectiontoo soon.

• Rachel Notley accused of disrespect in setting date for Calgary-Greenway byelection
• Roop Rai to represent Alberta NDP in Calgary-Greenway byelection
• Alberta PC MLAManmeetBhullarkilled in highway crash

Notley, however, said the timing is nothing out of the ordinary in Alberta's history and cited her own father as an example.

Grant Notley served asAlberta NDP leader from1968 until 1984, when he was killedin a plane crash.

"When my father was thevictimof a tragic accident, (then premier)Peter Lougheedcalled thebyelection96 days after the accident," Notley said.

"Thisbyelectionwas called 92 days after the accident. So Ibelieve we're within the realm of reasonable timing."

But Jason Nixon, the Wildrose critic for democracy and accountability, said the byelection timing"calls into question this government's commitment to accountability and doing politics differently."

Nominations rescheduled

TheWildroseplans to hold itsnominationforCalgary-Greenwayon Friday, rescheduledfrom anoriginal meetingdate ofMarch 5.

The Alberta Liberals also moved up their candidate selection to Wednesday, from a previously scheduled date of Feb. 29.

The Progressive Conservatives plan to nominate a candidate on Saturday.

TheGreen Party of Alberta has already selectedThana Boonlertas its candidate and thereis no date yet set for an Alberta Party nomination.

Bhullar 'will not be forgotten'

In announcing the byelection,Notleydescribed it as one "we all wish that I didn't have to call."

"The seat was left vacant by a terrible tragedy that shocked and saddened allAlbertans," the premier said.

"ManmeetBhullarwas a fierce and tireless advocate for his community and the legacy he left in and outside of the legislature will not be forgotten."