Kent Hehr named federal Liberal candidate for Calgary-Centre

Calgary MLA Kent Hehr will be the federal Liberal Party candidate for Calgary Centre in the next election.

In a press release issued Friday, Hehr announced he had been confirmed as the Liberal candidate by party members in a meeting held earlier that day. He said there is a willingness in the party to listen to westerners and their concerns.

"Justin Trudeau and the Liberals are very receptive to having more of a western perspective at the caucus table," Hehr said in the release. "I'm prepared to get out there in every corner of this riding to understand the voters' concerns so I can bring their perspective to Ottawa."

The riding is currently held by Conservative MP Joan Crockatt.

Hehrsays membership in the Liberal Party's Calgary Centre riding association has nearly doubled since he announced his campaign for the nomination this past summer and that about 300 people have signed up as volunteers for his campaign so far.

As part of his efforts to win over the riding which has never elected a Liberal MP Hehr says he will be holding events in different neighbourhoods in the riding so people can get to know him.

Events have already been hosted in the Beltline and Inglewood, with Killarney next on the agenda.

Hehr has been the MLA for the riding of Calgary-Buffalo since 2008.

The federal election is tentatively set for Oct. 19, 2015.