(This story is based on tips from political insiders, and it’s as far as we’re going with it—given our editorial priorities, limited investigative resources, and an even smaller incliniation to dig deeper (as it probably won’t change your life). But hey, if you’re feeling sleuthy and know more, drop us a line at ottawachase@gmail.com.)
Staff Reporter
Randy Boissonnault, a Member of Parliament from the Liberal Party of Canada, resigned from his cabinet position in November 2024. He had faced criticism for inconsistent statements regarding his Indigenous identity. Initially describing himself as a “non-status adopted Cree,” he later referenced Métis family ties. In November, Boissonnault apologized for the confusion, and in December, he testified that he is not Indigenous.
Despite the backlash, Boissonnault remained a star candidate for the Liberals in the upcoming federal election in Edmonton Centre. He continued campaigning for re-election and even endorsed Chrystia Freeland in the Liberal Party’s leadership race. With his experience and ministerial background, Boissonnault was receiving significant support. Disillusioned with Prime Minister Trudeau, the Edmonton Centre constituency rallied behind him. Boissonnault’s campaign had kicked off in October 2023. Nearly six months into the race, he announced that he would not seek re-election.
On March 26, Rod Loyola, an MLA from the New Democratic Party (NDP), resigned and declared his candidacy with the Liberal Party for the newly established federal riding of Edmonton Gateway. Shortly after his campaign began, a 16-year-old video of him as a young rapper making a statement about Hamas surfaced and was leaked to the National Post. On April 4, the Liberal Party dropped Loyola, citing a statement “inconsistent with the party’s values.” Loyola, a seasoned politician with three consecutive provincial election victories, had been seen as another strong candidate with ministerial potential. His removal marked yet another setback for the Liberal campaign. The video had been publicly available online for 16 years, prompting speculation within Liberal circles. Some questioned why it hadn’t emerged during Loyola’s provincial campaigns, suggesting the possibility that a party insider leaked the video for political gain.
Between Boissonnault’s and Loyola’s resignations, a new development unfolded. Two days after Boissonnault stepped down, Edmonton Mayor Amarjeet Sohi announced his candidacy for MP in the newly formed riding of Edmonton Southeast. His original political base had been Edmonton Mill Woods, which he represented from 2015 to 2019. Following Loyola’s departure, many assumed Sohi would run in Edmonton Gateway, Loyola’s intended battleground. However, the Liberal Party nominated Jeremy Hoefsloot, a party worker with no significant political experience, to contest Edmonton Gateway against Tim Uppal, a seasoned Conservative who has been in federal politics since 2008. This decision indicated that Uppal was being positioned for a ministerial role should the Conservatives win. The setup further fueled speculation about a UCP–Liberal alignment.
Meanwhile, in Edmonton Southeast, Sohi faced Jagsharan Singh Mahal, a lawyer with no prior experience in elected office. If the Liberals returned to power, Sohi would likely be a front-runner for a ministerial position.
Back in Edmonton Centre—recently vacated by Boissonnault—the race was shaping up to be a highly competitive three-way contest among the Conservatives, Liberals, and NDP. In 2021, the riding was decided by just 615 votes. It now featured Liberal candidate Eleanor Olszewski, Conservative Sayid Ahmed, and NDP candidate Trisha Estabrooks. Interestingly, all three are relatively new faces with limited electoral experience for such an important constituency.
Given the riding’s history and razor-thin margins, it was expected that the Liberals would field a strong candidate to defend the seat. Likewise, the Conservatives—having lost by fewer than 615 votes—were anticipated to mount a vigorous campaign. The apparent decision by both parties to opt for lesser-known candidates has fueled speculation about strategic calculations and internal dynamics heading into the election.
