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By Josh Hall | @Vancan19

parties couldn't come together

Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills byelection forum cancelled, Chamber says it had no other choice

Jun 3, 2025 | 12:19 PM

Two candidates in the June 23 provincial byelection for Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills are expressing dismay due to the cancellation of a local forum for constituents to come and hear opposing views.

The forum was scheduled for June 9, and was to be hosted by the Olds & District Chamber of Commerce.

Both Alberta NDP candidate Bev Toews, and Republican Party of Alberta candidate Cameron Davies, said in statements Monday, they’re disappointed the forum has been cancelled, which they implied was due to Tara Sawyer supposedly cancelling her attendance.

“Putting yourself forward to hear from voters in all candidates’ debates is a key part of a byelection. It’s a shame that the second separatist party in this election — the UCP, the one that pretends they’re not separatist, refuses to debate. As always, they take this riding for granted. They assume people will blindly vote for them,” says Toews.

“This byelection, I’ve heard loud and clear that constituents want to hear about our competing visions for a better Alberta and a stronger Canada. I want Albertans to hear my vision contrasted with the UCP’s failure to get a better deal for Alberta.”

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Davies, the Republicans’ leader, shared a similar sentiment.

“The Republican Party of Alberta is disappointed to announce that an all-candidates forum for the Olds-Didsbury—Three Hills by-election has been cancelled due to a lack of availability from the UCP,” he says.

“The cancellation deprives voters of the opportunity to hear directly from all candidates vying to represent the riding.”

Davies is calling on the UCP and NDP to join them in a public debate to ensure voters can make an informed decision.

rdnewsNOW reached out to the UCP and its candidate.

“The Chamber invited us to a forum on June 9, but we had a prior commitment that day,” says Dave Prisco, UCP director of communications. “We offered to attend on any other date, but the Chamber chose to cancel instead.”

We also reached out to the Olds Chamber, who confirmed the UCP candidate had noted a prior engagement.

“We offered the NDP candidate the opportunity to participate, but didn’t receive correspondence until after our deadline when the forum had already been cancelled,” said Doug Rieberger, Chamber president.

“The Olds & District Chamber of Commerce has many times in the past provided a neutral forum for the local candidates to voice their platforms to the public. With only one candidate being able to attend the forum, and deadline approaching, the Chamber had the tough decision to cancel the forum.”

Rieberger added that because of the short timeline before the byelection, rescheduling is not an option.

rdnewsNOW will have a candidate profiles post, featuring all candidates in this byelection, later this week.