EDMONTON — Alberta’s Opposition NDP say they will participate in a new review of provincial riding maps even though they believe Premier Danielle Smith’s United Conservatives are using the review to rig the next election.

NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi says participating is the only way to at least try to hold Smith’s United Conservative majority to account.

The decision comes a day after Smith’s caucus used their majority in the house to vote to take a second run at new riding maps already proposed by a panel.

The panel couldn’t agree on the new election boundaries, and Smith says a new review is the best way to ensure that the vote is fair to Albertans who live outside the cities.

The NDP, however, says Smith is using the review as a way to implement new ridings that will favour her rural-dominant UCP in the next election, set for the fall of 2027.

The review process requires participation from both parties, and the changes are set to come back in the fall.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 22, 2026.

Jack Farrell, The Canadian Press