Edmonton-Rutherford

Edmonton-Rutherford is a provincial electoral district in southwest Edmonton, stretching from Whitemud Drive in the north to the Anthony Henday Drive corridor in the south. The riding encompasses the rapidly growing Heritage Valley area, including the neighbourhoods of Rutherford, Callaghan, Allard, Blackmud Creek, and Cashman. The district experienced significant suburban expansion over the 2015–2019 period, with new residential developments attracting young families to the area. Heading into 2019, incumbent NDP MLA and Minister of Indigenous Relations Richard Feehan sought re-election against the backdrop of Jason Kenney’s United Conservative Party challenging Rachel Notley’s NDP government.

Candidates

Richard Feehan (NDP)* — First elected in Edmonton-Rutherford in 2015 with nearly 64% of the vote, Feehan was appointed Minister of Indigenous Relations in 2016. A former social worker and instructor at the University of Calgary’s Faculty of Social Work (Edmonton campus), he oversaw initiatives including engagement sessions with Sixties Scoop survivors and investment in Indigenous-led renewable energy projects during his cabinet tenure.

Hannah Presakarchuk (United Conservative) — A registered nurse originally from Grande Prairie who moved to Edmonton. Presakarchuk won the UCP nomination for Edmonton-Rutherford in September 2018, defeating three other contenders for the party’s candidacy.

Aisha Rauf (Alberta Party) — The Alberta Party’s candidate in the riding, running as part of the party’s effort to present a centrist alternative in Edmonton constituencies.

Claire Wilde (Liberal) — The Alberta Liberal candidate in Edmonton-Rutherford.

Valerie Kennedy (Green Party) — The Green Party candidate in the riding.

Lionel Levoir (Alberta Independence) — The Alberta Independence Party candidate in the riding.

Local Issues

The dominant local concern in Edmonton-Rutherford during the NDP’s term was the strain of rapid suburban growth on infrastructure and services in the Heritage Valley area. New neighbourhoods saw population increases, and residents pressed for new schools to keep pace with demand. Overcrowding in existing south-side schools was a persistent concern for families.

The announcement of a new south Edmonton hospital was also significant for the riding. In 2017, the NDP government committed $400 million in capital funding for a 350–500-bed facility at the former Ellerslie Research Station site. For residents of Edmonton-Rutherford, who relied on the distant Misericordia or Grey Nuns hospitals, the project was a long-awaited commitment. Transportation infrastructure also drew attention, as commuters in the riding’s growing southern communities faced increasing congestion along routes connecting to the Anthony Henday Drive and Calgary Trail corridors.