Edmonton Centre

Edmonton Centre encompasses the urban core of Alberta's capital city, stretching from the North Saskatchewan River valley northward through downtown Edmonton and into the residential neighbourhoods west of 97 Street. The riding includes the downtown commercial district, the provincial legislature grounds, MacEwan University, Rogers Place arena, and the Edmonton Arts District, as well as the established residential communities of Glenora, Crestwood, Jasper Park, Laurier Heights, Westmount, and Oliver.

Following the 2022 redistribution, Edmonton Centre gained the neighbourhoods of Athlone, Kensington, and Calder from Edmonton Griesbach, and Britannia Youngstown and Mayfield from Edmonton West, extending the riding's geographic reach while maintaining its urban character.

Candidates

Eleanor Olszewski (Liberal) is a lawyer and pharmacist who was born in Medicine Hat and educated at the University of Alberta, where she earned degrees in both pharmacy and law. She became one of the first female partners at an Edmonton law firm. Olszewski ran twice previously as a Liberal candidate in Edmonton Strathcona before being moved to Edmonton Centre after incumbent Randy Boissonnault announced he would not seek re-election.

Sayid Ahmed (Conservative) is a senior director in the Alberta government's health department. Born in Somalia, he holds a Master's degree in Economics from the University of Ottawa and has worked as a policy analyst for the Government of Alberta. He previously ran as a UCP candidate in Edmonton-Decore in a closely contested provincial race and has been active in community organizations including the United Way and the Edmonton Food Bank.

Trisha Estabrooks (NDP) is a former CBC journalist who spent 17 years with the public broadcaster, including a year working with Journalists for Human Rights in West Africa. She served two terms as an Edmonton Public Schools trustee in Ward D, including four years as chair of the board, before seeking the federal NDP nomination.

John Ross (People's Party) ran as the PPC candidate in the riding.

David John Bohonos (Christian Heritage Party) ran as the CHP candidate in the riding.

Gregory Bell (Independent) ran as an independent candidate in the riding.

About the Riding

Edmonton Centre is the political, institutional, and cultural hub of northern Alberta. The riding's downtown core has undergone significant transformation since the opening of Rogers Place in 2016, which catalyzed a wave of development in the Ice District and surrounding blocks. MacEwan University, which serves over 18,000 students, anchors the northern edge of downtown, while the river valley parks and trails provide a green corridor along the riding's southern boundary.

The riding was vacated by incumbent Liberal MP Randy Boissonnault, who announced in March 2025 that he would not seek re-election. Boissonnault had been removed from cabinet in November 2024 amid controversy over shifting claims about Indigenous heritage and questions about the business dealings of a former associate. His departure created an open seat in a riding that had been competitive between Liberals and Conservatives in recent elections.

Homelessness and public safety in the downtown core were prominent issues in the 2025 campaign, as Edmonton's shelters and social services struggled with rising demand. Housing affordability, transit investment including the Valley Line LRT expansion, and healthcare access were also central themes. The three-way contest between the Liberals, Conservatives, and NDP made Edmonton Centre one of the most closely watched races in the province.