Bow River

Bow River is a sprawling southern Alberta riding that stretches from the city of Chestermere on Calgary's eastern fringe through to Taber in the south, encompassing more than 60 communities and nearly 120,000 residents. The riding follows the Bow River corridor through the agricultural heartland east of Calgary, taking in the towns of Strathmore, Brooks, Bassano, and Taber, as well as the cities of Chestermere and Brooks. Following the 2022 redistribution, the riding lost the town of Vulcan to the Foothills riding but retained its essential character as a mix of Calgary commuter suburbs and irrigated farmland.

Candidates

David Bexte (Conservative) is a lifelong Bow River resident with 25 years of experience in Alberta's energy sector, rising to the position of vice-president at Schlumberger Canada, one of the world's largest oil and gas services firms. He also operates a multi-generational family farm, giving him firsthand experience with both the energy and agricultural industries that define the riding. He succeeded the retiring Martin Shields as the Conservative candidate.

Bentley Barnes (Liberal) is a retired grandfather and first-time candidate originally from Brandon, Manitoba, who raised his family in Brooks. He has worked as a supervisor in the agricultural production industry, in energy-sector research and development, and in retail management. He was acclaimed as the Liberal candidate.

Louisa Gwin (NDP) is a Chestermere resident with 12 years of experience in the construction industry. She began her career as an apprentice electrician and worked her way up to her current role as a commercial construction estimator for a general contractor in Calgary. This was her first time running for office.

Tom Lipp (Christian Heritage Party) and Aaron Patton (United Party of Canada) also stood as candidates in the riding.

About the Riding

Bow River's economy rests on two pillars: agriculture and energy. The Eastern Irrigation District, one of the largest irrigation systems in Canada, supports intensive farming operations across the riding—crops including sugar beets, potatoes, specialty vegetables, and feed grains thrive under irrigation, while dryland farming and cattle ranching predominate in non-irrigated areas. Brooks, the riding's second-largest community, is home to a major JBS meatpacking plant that is one of Canada's largest beef-processing facilities and a significant employer of temporary foreign workers, giving the town one of the most ethnically diverse populations in rural Alberta.

Chestermere and Strathmore, at the riding's western edge, function primarily as bedroom communities for Calgary. Chestermere has grown rapidly into a city of over 25,000, attracting young families with relatively affordable housing and lakeside recreation. Strathmore, a town of roughly 15,000, serves as both a commuter hub and an agricultural service centre.

In 2025, US trade tensions were acutely felt across the riding. Beef exports, which pass through processing facilities in Brooks and surrounding feedlots, faced potential tariff disruption. Canola and grain producers, already dealing with volatile commodity prices, confronted additional uncertainty. Water management and irrigation infrastructure investment were perennial issues in a riding where agricultural productivity depends on access to Bow River flows. Rapid suburban growth in Chestermere and Strathmore created pressure on schools, roads, and healthcare services, while smaller communities in the riding's eastern reaches contended with population decline and limited access to physicians and hospitals.