Macleod

Macleod was a large, predominantly rural federal riding in southwestern Alberta stretching from the outskirts of Calgary to the Rocky Mountains and the Montana border. The by-election was called after Conservative MP Ted Menzies resigned his seat on November 6, 2013, to accept a position as president and CEO of CropLife Canada, an agricultural biotechnology industry lobby group. Menzies had represented the riding since 2004.

Candidates

John Barlow (Conservative) — Barlow was the editor of the Western Wheel newspaper in Okotoks and had worked as a journalist for twenty years. He held a degree in political science and had won numerous awards including the Telus Editorial Excellence Award and the Gordon Scott Memorial Award for Alberta's top columnist. He had previously run for the provincial Progressive Conservatives in Highwood during the 2012 Alberta election.

Dustin Fuller (Liberal) — Fuller grew up in Okotoks and graduated from the University of Lethbridge with a bachelor of arts in political science, where he also served as president of the students' union. He worked in the oil and gas sector at the time of the by-election.

Larry Ashmore (Green Party) — Ashmore ran as the Green Party candidate in the riding.

Aileen Burke (NDP) — Burke ran as the NDP candidate in the riding.

About the Riding

Macleod encompassed a vast stretch of southwestern Alberta, covering the Municipal District of Foothills, Municipal District of Willow Creek, Municipal District of Pincher Creek, Vulcan County, the Municipality of Crowsnest Pass, and parts of Kananaskis Country. Key communities included Okotoks, High River, Nanton, Claresholm, Fort Macleod, Pincher Creek, and the Crowsnest Pass.

The riding's economy was anchored by agriculture, ranching, and oil and gas extraction. The area was part of Alberta's traditional cattle country, with large ranching operations across the foothills and prairie grasslands. The energy sector provided significant employment, particularly in the eastern portions of the riding. Tourism was also important, with Waterton Lakes National Park and the Rocky Mountain foothills attracting visitors year-round.

The riding had experienced significant population growth in communities closest to Calgary, particularly Okotoks and High River, which had become bedroom communities for commuters. High River was severely affected by flooding in June 2013, which displaced thousands of residents and caused extensive damage to the town's infrastructure. The riding also included Tsüü T'ina Nation, Eden Valley, and Piikani First Nation reserves.