Yellowhead

Yellowhead is a federal electoral district in west-central Alberta, covering a vast stretch of territory from the Rocky Mountain foothills to the parklands and prairies east of Edmonton. The by-election was called after Conservative MP Rob Merrifield resigned his seat on September 17, 2014 after 14 years of service, to accept an appointment from Alberta Premier Jim Prentice as the province's envoy to the United States, where he lobbied for approval of the Keystone XL pipeline.

Candidates

Jim Eglinski (Conservative) — A retired RCMP officer and former mayor of Fort St. John, British Columbia. Eglinski had a long career in policing before entering politics.

Ryan Heinz Maguhn (Liberal) — A Hinton town councillor first elected in a 2012 municipal by-election and re-elected in 2013. Maguhn taught social studies and coached senior boys' volleyball at Gerard Redmond Community Catholic High School in Hinton.

Eric Rosendahl (NDP) — The NDP candidate in the by-election.

About the Riding

Yellowhead is one of Alberta's largest federal electoral districts by area, stretching across west-central Alberta. Following the 2012 redistribution, the riding includes Yellowhead County with the towns of Hinton and Edson, Brazeau County with Drayton Valley, Lac Ste. Anne County, portions of Parkland County, Leduc County, and Clearwater County including Rocky Mountain House. The riding also encompasses parts of the Municipal District of Greenview including Grande Cache, and Jasper National Park.

The riding's economy is diverse, driven by natural resource extraction including oil and gas development, forestry, and coal mining. The energy sector is particularly important in communities like Drayton Valley and Edson. Tourism is significant in the mountain communities, with Jasper National Park drawing visitors year-round. Agriculture and ranching are important in the eastern portions of the riding.

The terrain ranges from the Rocky Mountain peaks of Jasper National Park through boreal forest and foothills to rolling parkland and prairie in the east. Major communities include Hinton (population approximately 10,000), Edson (approximately 8,500), Drayton Valley (approximately 7,000), and Rocky Mountain House (approximately 7,000). The Yellowhead Highway (Highway 16) runs through the riding, connecting Edmonton to Jasper and the Pacific coast.