Medicine Hat—Cardston—Warner

Medicine Hat—Cardston—Warner is a federal electoral district covering the southeastern corner and southern border region of Alberta. The by-election was called following the death of Conservative MP Jim Hillyer, who was found dead in his Parliament Hill office on March 23, 2016 at the age of 41. An autopsy confirmed he died of a heart attack caused by cardiomyopathy. This was the first by-election in the riding's 108-year history.

Candidates

Glen Motz (Conservative) — A retired police inspector who served with the Medicine Hat Police Service for 35 years, beginning in 1980 and retiring in December 2015. Motz received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012 and the Order of Merit of Police Forces from the Governor General in 2013 for exceptional service.

Stan Sakamoto (Liberal) — A Medicine Hat businessman who had operated the Shooting Star catering company since 1989. He was named Businessperson of the Year in 2010 by Medicine Hat College. Sakamoto was the first Japanese Canadian born in Medicine Hat, where his parents settled after Japanese Canadians were interned during World War II.

Rod Taylor (Christian Heritage Party) — The Christian Heritage Party candidate in the by-election.

Beverly Ann Waege (NDP) — The NDP candidate in the by-election.

About the Riding

Medicine Hat—Cardston—Warner spans the southeastern corner of Alberta, from the city of Medicine Hat south to the U.S. border. The riding includes the City of Medicine Hat, Cypress County, the County of Forty Mile, the Town of Cardston, Cardston County, and the Town of Warner. The landscape is dominated by the semi-arid prairies of Palliser's Triangle, with the Canadian Rockies and their foothills lining the western edge.

The riding has a population of approximately 104,000 and is predominantly English-speaking, with a notable German-speaking community including a large Hutterite population. The riding is home to the Blood Tribe (Kainai Nation), part of the Blackfoot Confederacy. The town of Cardston has a significant Latter-day Saints community dating to early settlement.

Agriculture is the largest employer, engaging over 19 percent of the riding's workforce. Southeastern Alberta has long attracted investment and manufacturing due to abundant and inexpensive natural gas. Cultural attractions include the Remington-Alberta Carriage Museum in Cardston, the Canadian National Historic Windmill Interpretive Centre in Etzikom, and the historic Medalta Potteries and Esplanade Arts and Heritage Centre in Medicine Hat.