Electoral battle for Calgary McKnight marked by affordability concerns, low voter turnout

Calgary's far northeast is a different political beast.

In 2019, when the Conservatives nearly made a clean sweep of every riding in the city, Calgary Skyview stood out as the solitary splotch of Liberal red. So as the 2025 election date draws near, political watchers are keeping a close eye on races in the area.

It's an area with a high newcomer population and also a historically lower voter turnout than other parts of the city. When CBC News recently spent a day in the area, it heard the key voter issues are cost of living, affordability and economic development.

This election, the riding boundaries have shifted substantially. The newly created Calgary McKnight riding was formed with portions of the former Calgary Skyview and Calgary Forest Lawn districts. It covers northeast Calgary, running from Deerfoot Trail and Country Hills Boulevard out to the city's eastern edge, before running south to 16th Avenue N.E. and back up along Deerfoot Trail.

In 2021, George Chahal was the lone Liberal to claim a seat in Calgary, in Skyview, while the city's other nine seats were claimed by the Conservatives. Chahal will run in this election in Calgary McKnight, which includes some of the southern parts of his former riding.

In Calgary McKnight, polls suggest Chahal's main competition will be Conservative candidate Dalwinder Gill, a real estate agent. The race also includes NDP candidate Arlington Antonio Santiago, Green Party candidate Evelyn Tanaka and People's Party of Canada candidate Najeeb Butt. 

In Calgary, traditionally a Conservative stronghold, polling suggests the Liberals are leading in Calgary McKnight, while Calgary Skyview, Calgary Centre and Calgary Confederation are all competitive races.

Candidates in this part of the city will need to speak to a diverse riding, with multiple languages spoken and varied cultural perspectives. Many residents are concerned about the rising cost of living and economic pressures.

At the same time, candidates will need to grapple with low voter turnout, with many residents feeling disconnected or too busy to engage in politics. In the 2019 election, Calgary Skyview and Calgary Forest Lawn had the lowest voter turnout percentage in the city.

Rishi Nagar, news director for RED FM Calgary, said some have voiced concerns over how Conservative candidates in the region were chosen, while others are more concerned about affordability, inflation and grocery prices.

"Now, all of a sudden, it's [U.S. President Donald] Trump and tariffs, and who can fight them effectively, is the question now," he said.

Earlier this month, CBC News visited the border of the communities of Skyview and McKnight to discuss voters' priorities and concerns in advance of the upcoming federal election.

Zawar Cheema, a local real estate agent, attributed the low voter turnout to residents feeling pressed with a lack of free time.

"Some people are working hard, and taking extra hours to work and to meet their needs," he said.