Athabasca-Barrhead-Westlock

Athabasca-Barrhead-Westlock extends across a broad stretch of northern Alberta's agricultural heartland and boreal fringe, taking in the towns of Athabasca, Barrhead, and Westlock along with the smaller communities of Swan Hills, Smoky Lake, and Thorhild. The Athabasca River courses through the riding, and the landscape transitions from grain-farming country in the south to mixed forest and oil-and-gas-dependent communities in the north. The riding's economy rests on agriculture, energy extraction, and forestry, industries that experienced sharp volatility during the 2019-2023 period. Incumbent UCP MLA Glenn van Dijken, a Dapp grain farmer first elected under the Wildrose banner in 2015, sought a third term.

Candidates

Glenn Van Dijken (United Conservative)* — A grain farmer from Dapp, van Dijken operated his family farm with his wife Barb, with whom he was named Outstanding Young Farmers of Alberta in 2001. He served on the board of directors for Federated Co-operative Limited and was appointed Parliamentary Secretary for Agrifood Development during the 2019-2023 term.

Landen Tischer (NDP) — A Barrhead-area resident who had lived in the region most of his life, Tischer worked as an oil-and-gas pipeline installer and farmed wheat and canola on his family's land. He previously studied theology and briefly served as a pastor before working as an automotive technician and with Blue Heron Support Services Association supporting clients with complex needs.

Local Issues

Rural crime remained the most persistent concern in Athabasca-Barrhead-Westlock between 2019 and 2023. Property crime, break-ins, and equipment theft on farms and acreages continued to frustrate producers and rural residents across the riding. Statistics Canada data showed that rural Alberta's overall crime rate was 1.5 times higher than urban areas, with the rural north recording the highest rates in the province. The UCP government's rural policing initiatives, including additional RCMP positions and the creation of the Rural Alberta Provincial Integrated Defence Force, were debated as to their effectiveness.

The pandemic placed unique strain on the riding's small healthcare facilities and long-term care homes. Access to physicians and emergency services in smaller communities remained a chronic challenge, with residents in towns like Swan Hills and Smoky Lake facing long drives for specialist care. The energy sector's roller coaster, from the 2020 oil price crash to the recovery in 2021-2022, directly affected employment in the riding's northern communities. Agricultural producers contended with rising input costs, including fuel, fertilizer, and freight, concerns that amplified debates over the federal carbon tax and its impact on farm operations.