Likely, the quietness from the Edmonton Conservatives is a potential planned national approach, according to political analysts.
Rewritten Article:
As the 2025 federal election looms, the Conservative candidates in four crucial Edmonton districts — Edmonton-Strathcona, Edmonton-Southeast, Edmonton-Griesbach, and Edmonton-Centre — have maintained an uncomfortable silence.
Our website News Edmonton has extended both written and face-to-face interview requests to Miles Berry, Jagsharan Singh Mahal, Kerry Diotte, and Sayid Ahmed without success. Regrettably, it's uncertain whether they've made time for other interviews.
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Scott Reid, our resident News analyst and former communications director for Prime Minister Paul Martin, wasn't taken aback by the local Conservative candidates' unresponsiveness.
"This silence is a clear indication of a strategic move from the campaign," Reid commented. "We've witnessed this approach elsewhere as well, such as their decision to skip all candidates' debates. The best way to frame it positively? The campaign is committing to discipline and staying focused."
"They're intent on keeping a candidate from causing a national controversy due to an awkward or inappropriate comment," he added.
our website News Edmonton attempted to contact the Conservative Party's federal media representative but to no avail.
In Edmonton alone, candidates from both the Liberal and Conservative parties have stepped down or been removed due to contentious remarks.
The Liberal Party expelled long-time NDP MLA Rod Loyola from Edmonton-Gateway after publicly supporting Hezbollah and Hamas, both designated as terrorist organizations in Canada, at a 2009 anti-NATO rally.
- Liberals cut ties with second candidate, this time due to Hamas endorsement
- Conservative candidate drops out following our website News' exposure of Justin Trudeau death penalty joke
- Incumbent Toronto-area Liberal candidate apologizes for offensive comments
Although silence might be beneficial on a national scale, Reid pointed out that it raises questions.
"It's open for deep criticism in terms of diminishing respect for scrutiny and accountability, whether that's from members of all candidates' debates or local media who anticipate receiving updates from local candidates," Reid explained further. "This crucial function is being undermined."
Nevertheless, Reid believes Alberta's conservative heartland will shield Conservative candidates from repercussions stemming from their avoidance of the press.
Recent polling data from Nanos Research shows that the Conservatives remain popular in the prairies, with 57% of respondents supporting the party, contrasting with 30% for the Liberals and 9% for the NDP.
"Unfortunately, they're making a calculated decision that's possibly correct, which is that the damage caused by one slip-up would far overshadow the benefits derived from multiple candidates interacting with local media and presenting a positive image," he added.
our website News Edmonton reached out to the candidates again on Friday, and Berry's team replied, stating that an interview couldn't be arranged due to scheduling conflicts.
"Miles is going door-to-door in Edmonton Strathcona, making it impractical to set up an interview. We'll reach out and update this article whenever we hear from the other candidates," they explained via email.
- Despite the steady approach of the 2025 federal election, the Conservative candidates in Edmonton districts have shunned requests for interviews by News Edmonton.
- In light of the Conservative candidates' silence, Scott Reid, a News Edmonton analyst, suggests that this is a strategic move by the campaign to preserve focus and avoid potential national controversies.
- Reid also believes that the Conservative Party's reluctance to engage with the press is undermining the crucial function of accountability and scrutiny, especially during local elections.
- News Edmonton attempted to contact the Conservative Party's federal media representative but was unable to do so.
- As the Conservative Party maintains its popularity in the prairies, according to recent Nanos Research data, Reid believes that the candidates may escape any repercussions stemming from their media avoidance in Alberta's conservative heartland.
