Calgary Northwest was created in 1979, and has been split and re-distributed as part of the 2010 boundary changes. The riding has elected two different parties since 1979, with the Progressive Conservatives spending the most time in the riding. Frank Bruseker won the riding for the Liberals in 1989 and served two terms before being ousted by Greg Melchin (PC) in 1997. The MLA at the time of dissolution for this election, Lindsay Blackett, will not be running again. He served one term under Premier Ed Stelmach as Minister of Culture and Community Spirit. Some had speculated he decided not to run again because he was not awarded a cabinet post under Allison Redford, but  told the Herald that he was contemplating an exit for a few months before that.

6 parties will be contesting in the riding this election. As well, the riding chose Progressive Conservative for all three senate seats back in 2004.

Below is a brief summary of each candidate and a link to their websites (in order to last name):

Chris Challis (Wildrose): Challis holds a degree in business management from the University of Lethbridge, and is the president and CEO of two oilfield services and transportation companies. He is on the Wildrose Calgary Northwest Constituency Board. He now lives in Tuscany, and has so for the past 10 years.

Bryan Hunt (Evergreen): Hunt owns a software development consulting firm as well as media business. He is married with four children.

 Sandra Jansen (Progressive Conservative): Jansen is known for her work in the television industry, most notably as national news anchor for the CTV News Channel for 10 years. She has a diploma in broadcasting from SAIT and the University of Calgary, as well as a degree in French from McGill University. As well, she has an M.A. in Professional Communications from Royal Roads University. She was Redford’s Southern Alberta communications manager during her bid for the Progressive Conservative leadership to replace Ed Stelmach.

Brian Malkinson (Alberta New Democrats): Malkinson is a third generation Calgarian, and has a degree in science from Simon Fraser University in British Columbia. He is currently a designer and analyst for a Calgary based e-Commerce start up company. He was elected president of the student’s union at the Surrey campus. His involvement with the NDP include serving as vice president of the Fleetwood – Port Kells NDP riding association.

Troy Millington (Alberta Party): Millington has an education and physics degree from the University of British Columbia. He works as a computer consultant and is also a stay at home dad.

Robert Prcic (Alberta Liberals): [Note: profile taken from Openfile] Prcic is in his final year of study at the University of Calgary majoring in Law and Society. He completed a Registered Apprentice Program in automotive mechanics and is still working as a mechanic. He has lived in northwest Calgary since 2000.