Peace River (provincial electoral district)

Peace River encompasses a largely rural area in the northwest corner of Alberta. Urban municipalities within the riding include the towns of Grimshaw, High Level, Manning, Peace River, and Rainbow Lake, as well as the village of Nampa. The riding also includes the entirety of two rural municipalities (Mackenzie County and the County of Northern Lights) and portions of three others (Improvement District No. 24, the Municipal District of Peace No. 135, and Northern Sunrise County).

Four First Nations are located within the riding's boundaries: Beaver First Nation, Dene Tha' First Nation, Little Red River Cree Nation, and Tallcree First Nation.

Peace River borders the ridings of Central Peace-Notley to the southwest, Lesser Slave Lake to the southeast, and Fort McMurray-Wood Buffalo to the east. The riding also borders British Columbia to the west and the Northwest Territories to the north.

Peace River was established when the province was created in 1905, covering the western section of what had been the District of Athabasca, which had never been represented in the North West Assembly. The district boundaries have been revised many times over the last century, but have always contained the town of Peace River and the northwestern section of the province.

The 2010 boundary redistribution saw the district gain a portion of land that belongs to the Municipal District of Northern Lights that was in the old Dunvegan-Central Peace district.{{cite web | title = Proposed Electoral Division Areas, Boundaries, and Names for Alberta | url = http://www.altaebc.ab.ca/EBCFINALReport.pdf | date = June 2010 | access-date = January 14, 2012 | publisher = Alberta Electoral Boundaries Commission | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110927115425/http://www.altaebc.ab.ca/EBCFINALReport.pdf | archive-date = September 27, 2011 }} In the 2017 redistribution, it gained Grimshaw from Dunvegan-Central Peace-Notley.

The electoral district was created in 1905 when the province was founded. The first election held that year was a two-way race between Liberal candidate James Cornwall and Independent candidate Lucien Dubuc. Both were supporters of the Rutherford government.

The election results took weeks to come back. The results of the election were never released to the public; they were overturned by the cabinet due to significant irregularities and the riding was declared vacant. Dubuc who had won decided not to run again, but instead challenged the calling of a new election in court.

Dubuc failed in court and a new election was held on February 15, 1906. Thomas Brick, an Independent Liberal who was encouraged to run by local farmers, won with a landslide over Cornwall. Brick only held the district for a single term. He was initially going to run for a second term but dropped out during the campaign in 1909. Cornwall would being the only candidate in the race was acclaimed.

Cornwall only held the district for a single term. Near the end of the 2nd Legislative Assembly, Cornwall announced his retirement saying he was through with politics. He had been under investigation in the Alberta and Great Waterways Railway scandal that rocked the Rutherford government and forced the resignation of Premier Rutherford

The lands in the Peace River district experienced a great influx of settlers during this period. The 1913 election would be hotly contested with Conservative Alphaeus Patterson defeating future MLA William Rae and former Athabasca MLA William Bredin.

Rae picked up the seat in 1917 after Patterson retired. He held the seat until he was defeated in 1921 by United Farmers candidate Donald Kennedy. Kennedy resigned his seat very quickly so that Premier Herbert Greenfield could have a seat in the legislature. Greenfield only represented the district for a single term. His replacement was United Farmers MLA Hugh Allen.

Allen only served for a single term, retiring in 1930. The United Farmers chose William Bailey as his replacement. Bailey served from 1930 until he was defeated by Social Credit candidate William Lampley in the 1935 general election.

Lampley served until 1940 when he was defeated by Independent Eld Martin. Martin also served a single term before Social Credit candidate William Gilliland defeated him in the 1944 election.

Gilliland held the district for several terms. He was re-elected in 1948, 1952, 1955 and 1959. He died on October 26, 1961, leaving the seat vacant.

The by-election held that year was won by Social Credit candidate Euell Montgomery. He held the district until 1967, winning re-election in 1963 before retiring in 1967. The last Social Credit member to hold the seat was Robert Wiebe, elected in 1967.

The 1971 election saw Wiebe defeated by Progressive Conservative candidate Al Adair. Adair held the district for six terms, being re-elected in 1975, 1979, 1982, 1986 and again in 1989. The Progressive Conservative dominance over Peace River continued as candidate Gary Friedel won the district in 1993. He lasted two more terms winning in 1997 and 2001 before retiring in 2004.

In 2004, Progressive Conservative Frank Oberle was elected to represent Peace River. He was re-elected to a second term in 2008, and served as the province's Energy Minister.

In 2015, a close race saw NDP MLA Debbie Jabbour defeat Oberle by a mere 282 votes. Jabbour was subsequently also elected as Deputy Speaker of the province, and is the current representative for Peace River.

{{2023 Alberta general election/Peace River}}

{{2019 Alberta general election/Peace River}}

{{2015 Alberta general election/Peace River}}

{{2012 Alberta general election/Peace River}}

{{Canadian election result/top|AB|2008|Peace River (provincial electoral district)|Peace River|percent=yes|change=yes}}

{{CANelec|AB|PC|Frank Oberle|3,265|64.63|+9.73}}

{{CANelec|AB|NDP|Adele Boucher Rymhs|1,248|24.70|+14.31}}

{{CANelec|AB|Wildrose Alliance|George Beinert|539|10.67|+0.45}}

{{CANelec/total|Total valid votes|5,052}}

{{CANelec/total|Rejected, spoiled, and declined|29}}

{{CANelec/total|Eligible electors / turnout|18,921|26.70|-4.10}}

{{CANelec/hold|AB|PC|-2.29}}

{{Canadian election result/source|hide={{cite book|title=The Report on the March 3, 2008 Provincial General Election of the Twenty-seventh Legislative Assembly|url=https://archive.org/details/reportonmarch3202008elec|publisher=Elections Alberta|date=July 28, 2008 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/reportonmarch3202008elec/page/502 502–507]}}}}

|}

{{Canadian election result/top|AB|2004|Peace River (provincial electoral district)|Peace River|percent=yes|change=yes}}

{{CANelec|AB|PC|Frank Oberle|2,884|54.90|-9.53}}

{{CANelec|AB|Liberal|Adam Bourque|1,092|20.79|-5.51}}

{{CANelec|AB|NDP|Stephen Crocker|546|10.39|+4.63}}

{{CANelec|AB|Alliance|Garry Checknita|537|10.22}}

{{CANelec|AB|Social Credit|Patsy Lindberg|194|3.70}}

{{CANelec/total|Total valid votes|5,253}}

{{CANelec/total|Rejected, spoiled, and declined|26}}

{{CANelec/total|Eligible electors / turnout|17,142|30.80|-5.62}}

{{CANelec/hold|AB|PC|-7.52}}

{{Canadian election result/source|hide={{cite web|url=http://www.elections.ab.ca/Public%20Website/files/Statements/70.pdf |format=PDF|title=Peace River Statement of Official Results 2004 Alberta general election | publisher=Elections Alberta | access-date=March 24, 2010}}}}

|}

{{Canadian election result/top|AB|2001|Peace River (provincial electoral district)|Peace River|percent=yes|change=yes}}

{{CANelec|AB|PC|Gary Friedel|3,782|64.43|+2.71}}

{{CANelec|AB|Liberal|Susan Calihoo|1,544|26.30|-11.98}}

{{CANelec|AB|NDP|Steve Crocker|338|5.76}}

{{CANelec|AB|Alberta First|John Iftody|206|3.51}}

{{CANelec/total|Total valid votes|5,870}}

{{CANelec/total|Rejected, spoiled and declined|22}}

{{CANelec/total|Eligible electors / turnout|16,176|36.42|-0.38}}

{{CANelec/hold|AB|PC|+7.35}}

{{Canadian election result/source|hide={{cite web|url=http://www.electionsalberta.ab.ca/Public%20Website/files/2001StatmentOfResults/2001_SOR_67.pdf| title=Peace River Official Results 2001 Alberta general election | publisher=Elections Alberta | access-date=March 3, 2010}}}}

|}

{{Canadian election result/top|AB|1997|Peace River (provincial electoral district)|Peace River|percent=yes|change=yes}}

{{CANelec|AB|PC|Gary Friedel|3,745|61.72|+18.34}}

{{CANelec|AB|Liberal|Bruce MacKeen|2,323|38.28|+5.27}}

{{CANelec/total|Total valid votes|6,068}}

{{CANelec/total|Rejected, spoiled and declined|46}}

{{CANelec/total|Eligible electors / turnout|16,613|36.80|-13.00}}

{{CANelec/hold|AB|PC|+11.81}}

{{Canadian election result/source|hide={{cite web| url=http://www.elections.ab.ca/Public%20Website/758.htm| title=1997 General Election| publisher=Elections Alberta| access-date=January 26, 2012| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120214035402/http://www.elections.ab.ca/Public%20Website/758.htm| archive-date=February 14, 2012| url-status=dead}}}}

|}

{{Canadian election result/top|AB|1993|Peace River (provincial electoral district)|Peace River|percent=yes|change=yes}}

{{CANelec|AB|PC|Gary Friedel|3,156|43.38|-14.40}}

{{CANelec|AB|Liberal|Elmer Cardinal|2,402|33.01|+15.64}}

{{CANelec|AB|NDP|Brian Dewar |1,192|16.38|-8.48}}

{{CANelec|AB|CoR|Ed Kary |526|7.23}}

{{CANelec/total|Total valid votes|7,276}}

{{CANelec/total|Rejected, spoiled and declined|24}}

{{CANelec/total|Eligible electors / turnout|14,660|49.80|+8.64}}

{{CANelec/hold|AB|PC|-15.02}}

{{Canadian election result/source|hide={{cite web|url=http://www.abheritage.ca/abpolitics/administration/maps_choice.php?Year=1993&Constit=Peace_River| title=Peace River Official Results 1993 Alberta general election | publisher=Alberta Heritage Community Foundation | access-date=March 21, 2010}}}}

|}

{{Canadian election result/top|AB|1989|Peace River (provincial electoral district)|Peace River|percent=yes|change=yes}}

{{CANelec|AB|PC|Al Adair|3,749|57.78|-2.17}}

{{CANelec|AB|NDP|Adele Boucher Rymhs|1,613|24.86|-7.81}}

{{Canadian election result|AB|Liberal|Erich Wahl|1,127|17.37}}

{{CANelec/total|Total valid votes|6,489}}

{{CANelec/total|Rejected, spoiled and declined|17}}

{{CANelec/total|Eligible electors / turnout|15,808|41.16|-0.73}}

{{CANelec/hold|AB|PC|-4.99}}

{{Canadian election result/source|hide={{cite web|url=http://www.abheritage.ca/abpolitics/administration/maps_choice.php?Year=1989&Constit=Peace_River| title=Peace River Official Results 1986 Alberta general election | publisher=Alberta Heritage Community Foundation | access-date=March 21, 2010}}}}

|}

{{Canadian election result/top|AB|1986|Peace River (provincial electoral district)|Peace River|percent=yes|change=yes}}

{{CANelec|AB|PC|Al Adair|3,775|59.95|+3.62}}

{{CANelec|AB|NDP|Adele Boucher Rymhs|2,057|32.67|+14.15}}

{{CANelec|AB|Representative|Joseph Kessler|291|4.62|+1.92}}

{{CANelec|AB|Independent|Anna Pidruchney|174|2.76}}

{{CANelec/total|Total valid votes|6,297}}

{{CANelec/total|Rejected, spoiled and declined|15}}

{{CANelec/total|Eligible electors / turnout|15,069|41.89|}}

{{CANelec/hold|AB|PC|-5.27}}

{{Canadian election result/source|hide={{cite web|url=http://www.abheritage.ca/abpolitics/administration/maps_choice.php?Year=1986&Constit=Peace_River| title=Peace River Official Results 1986 Alberta general election | publisher=Alberta Heritage Community Foundation | access-date=March 21, 2010}}}}

|}

{{Canadian election result/top|AB|1982|Peace River (provincial electoral district)|Peace River|percent=yes|change=yes}}

{{CANelec|AB|PC|Al Adair|4,688|56.33|-3.47}}

{{CANelec|AB|Western Canada Concept|Jim Kalman|1,657|19.91}}

{{CANelec|AB|NDP|Richard Collins |1,541|18.52|-6.07}}

{{CANelec|AB|Independent|Joseph Kessler|225|2.70}}

{{CANelec|AB|Liberal|Laura Deedza |211|2.54|-1.05}}

{{CANelec/total|Total|8,322}}

{{CANelec/total|Rejected, spoiled and declined|28}}

{{CANelec/total|Eligible electors / turnout|14,924|55.95|+3.65}}

{{CANelec/hold|AB|PC|-11.69}}

{{Canadian election result/source|hide={{cite web|url=http://www.abheritage.ca/abpolitics/administration/maps_choice.php?Year=1982&Constit=Peace_River| title=Peace River Official Results 1982 Alberta general election | publisher=Alberta Heritage Community Foundation | access-date=March 21, 2010}}}}

|}

{{Canadian election result/top|AB|1979|Peace River (provincial electoral district)|Peace River|percent=yes|change=yes}}

{{CANelec|AB|PC|Al Adair|3,901|59.80|-1.20}}

{{CANelec|AB|NDP|Richard Collins |1,604|24.59|+2.50}}

{{CANelec|AB|Social Credit|Garry Gaudet|784|12.02|-3.32}}

{{Canadian election result|AB|Liberal|Donald Freeland|234|3.59}}

{{CANelec/total|Total valid votes|6,523}}

{{CANelec/total|Rejected, spoiled and declined|4}}

{{CANelec/total|Eligible electors / turnout|12,480|52.30|-2.15}}

{{CANelec/hold|AB|PC|-1.85}}

{{Canadian election result/source|hide={{cite web|url=http://www.abheritage.ca/abpolitics/administration/maps_choice.php?Year=1979&Constit=Peace_River| title=Peace River Official Results 1979 Alberta general election | publisher=Alberta Heritage Community Foundation | access-date=March 21, 2010}}}}

|}

{{Canadian election result/top|AB|1975|Peace River (provincial electoral district)|Peace River|percent=yes|change=yes}}

{{CANelec|AB|PC|Al Adair|3,567|61.00|+10.77}}

{{CANelec|AB|NDP|John Hokanson|1,292|22.09|+10.72}}

{{CANelec|AB|Social Credit|Budd Dennis|897|15.34|-23.06}}

{{Canadian election result|AB|Independent Liberal|Vera Lane|92|1.57}}

{{CANelec/total|Total valid votes|5,848}}

{{CANelec/total|Rejected, spoiled and declined|23}}

{{CANelec/total|Eligible electors / turnout|10,782|54.45|-2.30}}

{{CANelec/hold|AB|PC|+10.75}}

{{Canadian election result/source|hide={{cite web|url=http://www.abheritage.ca/abpolitics/administration/maps_choice.php?Year=1975&Constit=Peace_River| title=Peace River Official Results 1975 Alberta general election | publisher=Alberta Heritage Community Foundation | access-date=March 21, 2010}}}}

|}

{{Canadian election result/top|AB|1971|Peace River (provincial electoral district)|Peace River|percent=yes|change=yes}}

{{Canadian election result|AB|PC|Al Adair|3,188|50.23}}

{{Canadian election result|AB|Social Credit|Robert Wiebe|2,437|38.40|-15.09}}

{{Canadian election result|AB|NDP|Hans Jorgensen|722|11.37|-13.65}}

{{Canadian election result/total|Total valid votes|6,347}}

{{Canadian election result/total|Rejected, spoiled and declined|59}}

{{Canadian election result/total|Eligible electors / turnout|11,289|56.75|+1.94}}

{{Canadian election result/gain|AB|PC|Social Credit|+32.66}}

{{Canadian election result/source|hide={{cite web|url=http://www.abheritage.ca/abpolitics/administration/maps_choice.php?Year=1971&Constit=Peace_River| title=Peace River Official Results 1971 Alberta general election | publisher=Alberta Heritage Community Foundation | access-date=March 21, 2010}}}}

|}

{{Canadian election result/top|AB|1967|Peace River (provincial electoral district)|Peace River|percent=yes|change=yes}}

{{Canadian election result|AB|Social Credit|Robert Wiebe|2,860|53.49|-6.93}}

{{Canadian election result|AB|NDP|Harry Reinders|1,338|25.02}}

{{Canadian election result|AB|Independent|Edward Whitney |1,149|21.49}}

{{Canadian election result/total|Total valid votes|5,347}}

{{Canadian election result/total|Rejected, spoiled and declined|—}}

{{Canadian election result/total|Eligible electors / turnout|9,756|54.81|-0.90}}

{{Canadian election result/hold|AB|Social Credit|-15.98}}

{{Canadian election result/source|hide={{cite web|url=http://www.abheritage.ca/abpolitics/administration/maps_choice.php?Year=1967&Constit=Peace_River| title=Peace River Official Results 1967 Alberta general election | publisher=Alberta Heritage Community Foundation | access-date=March 21, 2010}}}}

|}

{{Canadian election result/top|AB|1963|Peace River (provincial electoral district)|Peace River|percent=yes|change=yes}}

{{Canadian election result|AB|Social Credit|Euell Montgomery|2,782|60.42|-2.80}}

{{Canadian election result|AB|Liberal|Victor O'Reilly |980|21.29|+3.39}}

{{Canadian election result|AB|PC|Harold Sissons |842|18.29|-0.59}}

{{Canadian election result/total|Total valid votes|4,604}}

{{Canadian election result/total|Rejected, spoiled and declined|8}}

{{Canadian election result/total|Eligible electors / turnout|8,272|55.71|-6.61}}

{{Canadian election result/hold|AB|Social Credit|-3.10}}

{{Canadian election result/source|hide={{cite web|url=http://www.abheritage.ca/abpolitics/administration/maps_choice.php?Year=1963&Constit=Peace_River| title=Peace River Official Results 1963 Alberta general election | publisher=Alberta Heritage Community Foundation | access-date=March 21, 2010}}}}

|}

{{Canadian election result/top|AB|by=yes|reason=Due to the death of F. Gilliland|October 26, 1961|Peace River (provincial electoral district)|Peace River|percent=yes|change=yes}}

{{Canadian election result|AB|Social Credit|Euell Montgomery|2,561|63.22|+2.34}}

{{Canadian election result|AB|PC|Harold Sissons |765|18.88|-6.42}}

{{Canadian election result|AB|Liberal|Wilbur Freeland|725|17.90|+4.08}}

{{Canadian election result/total|Total valid votes|4,051}}

{{Canadian election result/total|Rejected, spoiled and declined|—}}

{{Canadian election result/total|Eligible electors / turnout|6,500|62.32|-1.52}}

{{Canadian election result/hold|AB|Social Credit|+4.38}}

{{Canadian election result/source|hide={{cite web| url=http://www.elections.ab.ca/Public%20Website/742.htm#1905-1973| title=By-elections 1905-1973| publisher=Elections Alberta| access-date=March 22, 2010| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090607094042/http://www.elections.ab.ca/Public%20Website/742.htm#1905-1973| archive-date=June 7, 2009}}}}

|}

{{Canadian election result/top|AB|1959|Peace River (provincial electoral district)|Peace River|percent=yes|change=yes}}

{{Canadian election result|AB|Social Credit|William Gilliland|2,864|60.88|+7.05}}

{{Canadian election result|AB|PC|Harold Sissons |1,190|25.30}}

{{Canadian election result|AB|Liberal|James Mann|650|13.82|-20.20}}

{{Canadian election result/total|Total valid votes|4,704}}

{{Canadian election result/total|Rejected, spoiled and declined|19}}

{{Canadian election result/total|Eligible electors / turnout|7,398|63.84|+0.62}}

{{Canadian election result/hold|AB|Social Credit|-18.25}}

{{Canadian election result/source|hide={{cite web|url=http://www.abheritage.ca/abpolitics/administration/maps_choice.php?Year=1959&Constit=Peace_River| title=Peace River Official Results 1959 Alberta general election | publisher=Alberta Heritage Community Foundation | access-date=March 21, 2010}}}}

|}

{{Canadian election result/top|AB|1955|Peace River (provincial electoral district)|Peace River|percent=yes|change=yes}}

{{Canadian election result|AB|Social Credit|William Gilliland|3,456|53.83|-4.54}}

{{Canadian election result|AB|Liberal|Wilbur Freeland|2,184|34.02|+12.88}}

{{Canadian election result|AB|CCF|S.D. Simpson|780|12.15|-8.34}}

{{Canadian election result/total|Total valid votes|6,420}}

{{Canadian election result/total|Rejected, spoiled and declined|488}}

{{Canadian election result/total|Eligible electors / turnout|10,927|63.22|+5.36}}

{{Canadian election result/hold|AB|Social Credit|-8.71}}

{{Canadian election result/source|hide={{cite web|url=http://www.abheritage.ca/abpolitics/administration/maps_choice.php?Year=1955&Constit=Peace_River| title=Peace River Official Results 1955 Alberta general election | publisher=Alberta Heritage Community Foundation | access-date=March 21, 2010}}}}

|}

{{Canadian election result/top|AB|1952|Peace River (provincial electoral district)|Peace River|percent=yes|change=yes}}

{{Canadian election result|AB|Social Credit|William Gilliland|3,352|58.37|-4.11}}

{{Canadian election result|AB|Liberal|Peter Dechant|1,214|21.14|+4.91}}

{{Canadian election result|AB|CCF|Samuel Simpson|1,177|20.49|-0.80}}

{{Canadian election result/total|Total valid votes|5,743}}

{{Canadian election result/total|Rejected, spoiled and declined|470}}

{{Canadian election result/total|Eligible electors / turnout|10,738|57.86|-3.48}}

{{Canadian election result/hold|AB|Social Credit|-4.51}}

{{Canadian election result/source|hide={{cite web|url=http://www.abheritage.ca/abpolitics/administration/maps_choice.php?Year=1952&Constit=Peace_River| title=Peace River Official Results 1952 Alberta general election | publisher=Alberta Heritage Community Foundation | access-date=March 21, 2010}}}}

|}

{{Canadian election result/top|AB|1948|Peace River (provincial electoral district)|Peace River|percent=yes|change=yes}}

{{Canadian election result|AB|Social Credit|William Gilliland|3,191|62.48|+8.47}}

{{Canadian election result|AB|CCF|Albert Bossert|1,087|21.29|+1.00}}

{{Canadian election result|AB|Liberal|J.J. Rousseau|829|16.23}}

{{Canadian election result/total|Total valid votes|5,107}}

{{Canadian election result/total|Rejected, spoiled and declined|504}}

{{Canadian election result/total|Eligible electors / turnout|9,147|61.34|-1.41}}

{{Canadian election result/hold|AB|Social Credit|+3.74}}

{{Canadian election result/source|hide={{cite web|url=http://www.abheritage.ca/abpolitics/administration/maps_choice.php?Year=1948&Constit=Peace_River| title=Peace River Official Results 1948 Alberta general election | publisher=Alberta Heritage Community Foundation | access-date=March 21, 2010}}}}

|}

{{Canadian election result/top|AB|1944|Peace River (provincial electoral district)|Peace River|percent=yes|change=yes}}

{{Canadian election result|AB|Social Credit|William Gilliland|2,503|54.01|+5.60}}

{{Canadian election result|AB|CCF|J.W. Eastman|940|20.29}}

{{Canadian election result|AB|Independent|Eld Martin|806|17.39|-34.20}}

{{Canadian election result|AB|Labor-Progressive|Eleanor Ashworth|385|8.31}}

{{Canadian election result/total|Total valid votes|4,634}}

{{Canadian election result/total|Rejected, spoiled and declined|90}}

{{Canadian election result/total|Eligible electors / turnout|7,528|62.75|+2.76}}

{{Canadian election result/gain|AB|Social Credit|Independent Movement|+19.90}}

{{Canadian election result/source|hide={{cite web|url=http://www.abheritage.ca/abpolitics/administration/maps_choice.php?Year=1944&Constit=Peace_River| title=Peace River Official Results 1944 Alberta general election | publisher=Alberta Heritage Community Foundation | access-date=March 21, 2010}}}}

|}

{{Canadian election result/top|AB|1940|Peace River (provincial electoral district)|Peace River|percent=yes|change=yes}}

{{Canadian election result|AB|Independent Movement|Eld Martin|2,253|51.59}}

{{Canadian election result|AB|Social Credit|William Lampley|2,114|48.41|+2.66}}

{{Canadian election result/total|Total valid votes|4,367}}

{{Canadian election result/total|Rejected, spoiled and declined|160}}

{{Canadian election result/total|Eligible electors / turnout|7,546|59.99|-9.66}}

{{Canadian election result/gain|AB|Independent Movement|Social Credit|+24.47}}

{{Canadian election result/source|hide={{cite web|url=http://www.abheritage.ca/abpolitics/administration/maps_choice.php?Year=1940&Constit=Peace_River| title=Peace River Official Results 1940 Alberta general election | publisher=Alberta Heritage Community Foundation | access-date=March 21, 2010}}}}

|}

Stunned by the Social Credit victory in 1935, the Liberals and Conservatives jointly endorsed candidates across Alberta in what was known as the Independent Citizen's Association. This was the last time an opposition MLA was elected in Peace River.

{{Canadian election result/top|AB|1935|Peace River (provincial electoral district)|Peace River|percent=yes|change=yes}}

{{Canadian election result|AB|Social Credit|William Lampley|2,269|45.75}}

{{Canadian election result|AB|Liberal|E.L. Lamont|1,389|28.00}}

{{Canadian election result|AB|United Farmers|William Bailey|994|20.04|-42.57}}

{{Canadian election result|AB|Conservative|Gerald William Baldwin|308|6.21}}

|-

!colspan=6|Final count

{{Canadian election result|AB|Social Credit|William Lampley|2,474|56.59|+10.84}}

{{Canadian election result|AB|Liberal|E.L. Lamont|1,898|43.41|+15.41}}

{{Canadian party colour|AB|unknown|row}}

|colspan=2|Exhausted ballots

|align=right|588

{{Canadian election result/total|Total valid votes|4,960}}

{{Canadian election result/total|Rejected, spoiled and declined|269}}

{{Canadian election result/total|Eligible electors / turnout|7,508|69.65|+21.90}}

{{Canadian election result/gain|AB|Social Credit|United Farmers|+44.16}}

{{Canadian election result/source|hide={{cite web|url=http://www.abheritage.ca/abpolitics/administration/maps_choice.php?Year=1935&Constit=Peace_River| title=Peace River Official Results 1935 Alberta general election | publisher=Alberta Heritage Community Foundation | access-date=March 10, 2010}}}}

|}

{{Canadian election result/top|AB|1930|Peace River (provincial electoral district)|Peace River|percent=yes|change=yes}}

{{Canadian election result|AB|United Farmers|William Bailey|1,331|62.61|+7.74}}

{{Canadian election result|AB|Independent|C.W. Frederick|795|37.39}}

{{Canadian election result/total|Total valid votes|2,126}}

{{Canadian election result/total|Rejected, spoiled and declined|116}}

{{Canadian election result/total|Eligible electors / turnout|4,695|47.75|-23.14}}

{{Canadian election result/hold|AB|United Farmers|-14.83}}

{{Canadian election result/source|hide={{cite web|url=http://www.abheritage.ca/abpolitics/administration/maps_choice.php?Year=1930&Constit=Peace_River| title=Peace River Official Results 1930 Alberta general election | publisher=Alberta Heritage Community Foundation | access-date=March 21, 2010}}}}

|}

{{Canadian election result/top|AB|1926|Peace River (provincial electoral district)|Peace River|percent=yes|change=yes}}

{{Canadian election result|AB|United Farmers|Hugh Allen|2,548|54.87|-7.81}}

{{Canadian election result|AB|Liberal|Joe McIsaac|1,131|24.35|-1.10}}

{{Canadian election result|AB|Conservative|A.R. McMillan|965|20.78}}

{{Canadian election result/total|Total valid votes|4,644}}

{{Canadian election result/total|Rejected, spoiled and declined|354}}

{{Canadian election result/total|Eligible electors / turnout|7,050| 70.89| —}}

{{Canadian election result/hold|AB|United Farmers|-3.36}}

{{Canadian election result/source|hide={{cite web|url=http://www.abheritage.ca/abpolitics/administration/maps_choice.php?Year=1926&Constit=Peace_River| title=Peace River Official Results 1926 Alberta general election | publisher=Alberta Heritage Community Foundation | access-date=March 21, 2010}}}}

|}

{{Canadian election result/top|AB|December 9, 1921|Peace River (provincial electoral district)|Peace River|by=yes|reason=Upon the resignation of Donald M. Kennedy}}

{{Canadian election result|AB|United Farmers|Herbert Greenfield|Acclaimed}}

{{Canadian election result/total|Total votes|0}}

{{Canadian election result/total|Eligible electors|7,468}}

{{Canadian party colour|AB|United Farmers|row}}

|colspan=3|United Farmers hold

{{Canadian election result/source|hide={{cite web| url=http://www.elections.ab.ca/Public%20Website/742.htm#1905-1973| title=By-elections 1905-1973| publisher=Elections Alberta| access-date=March 22, 2010| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090607094042/http://www.elections.ab.ca/Public%20Website/742.htm#1905-1973| archive-date=June 7, 2009}}}}

|}

A series of by-elections were needed after the United Farmers government took power in 1921. The United Farmers caucus chose Herbert Greenfield as the new Premier. Unfortunately he lacked a seat in the legislature.{{cite news|title=Provincial By-elections On December 9|publisher=The Lethbridge Daily Herald|date=November 16, 1921|work=Vol XIV No. 285 |page=9}}

Incumbent United Farmers MLA Donald MacBeth Kennedy resigned his district after only holding it for a few months to pursue a seat in the 1921 Canadian federal election. The only other seat available was Ponoka which had been made vacant by the death of United Farmers MLA Percival Baker. Of the two choices Greenfield chose to run in Peace River.

Along with this by-election and Ponoka five other ministerial by-elections to confirm cabinet ministers were called for an election day of December 9, 1921. This was set for one week after the 1921 Canadian federal election. The by-election writ was dropped on November 16, 1921.

Greenfield ran unopposed and was acclaimed at the nomination deadline held on December 2, 1921. The timing of the by-elections was deliberately chosen to coincide with the federal election to ensure that opposition candidates would be unlikely to oppose the cabinet ministers.

{{Canadian election result/top|AB|1921|Peace River (provincial electoral district)|Peace River|percent=yes|change=yes}}

{{Canadian election result|AB|United Farmers|Donald Kennedy|3,291|62.68}}

{{Canadian election result|AB|Liberal|William Rae|1,336|25.45|-37.47}}

{{Canadian election result|AB|Independent|E.S. Farr|623|11.87}}

{{Canadian election result/total|Total votes|5,250}}

{{Canadian election result/total|Eligible electors / turnout|7,468| 70.30| —}}

{{Canadian election result/gain|AB|United Farmers|Liberal|+50.08}}

{{Canadian election result/source|hide={{cite web|url=http://www.abheritage.ca/abpolitics/administration/maps_choice.php?Year=1921&Constit=Peace_River| title=Peace River Official Results 1921 Alberta general election | publisher=Alberta Heritage Community Foundation | access-date=March 21, 2010}}}}

|}

{{Canadian election result/top|AB|1917|Peace River (provincial electoral district)|Peace River|percent=yes|change=yes}}

{{Canadian election result|AB|Liberal|William Rae|1,994|62.92|+17.35}}

{{Canadian election result|AB|Conservative|Dan Minchin|712|22.47|-27.06}}

{{Canadian election result|AB|Independent|Harry Adair|463|14.61}}

{{Canadian election result/total|Total votes|3,169}}

{{Canadian election result/total|Eligible electors / turnout|Unknown| —| —}}

{{Canadian election result/gain|AB|Liberal|Conservative|+22.21}}

{{Canadian election result/source|hide={{cite web|url=http://www.abheritage.ca/abpolitics/administration/maps_choice.php?Year=1917&Constit=Peace_River| title=Peace River Official Results 1917 Alberta general election | publisher=Alberta Heritage Community Foundation | access-date=March 21, 2010}}}}

|}

{{Canadian election result/top|AB|1913|Peace River (provincial electoral district)|Peace River|percent=yes}}

{{Canadian election result|AB|Conservative|Alphaeus Patterson|475|49.53}}

{{Canadian election result|AB|Liberal|William Rae|437|45.57}}

{{Canadian election result|AB|Independent Liberal|William Bredin|47|4.90}}

{{Canadian election result/total|Total votes|959}}

{{Canadian election result/total|Eligible electors / turnout|1,166|82.25}}

{{Canadian party colour|AB|Conservative|row}}

|colspan=3|Conservative gain from Liberal

{{Canadian election result/source|hide={{cite web|url=http://www.abheritage.ca/abpolitics/administration/maps_choice.php?Year=1913&Constit=Peace_River| title=Peace River Official Results 1913 Alberta general election | publisher=Alberta Heritage Community Foundation | access-date=March 21, 2010}}}}

{{end}}

The 1913 election in the Peace River electoral district took place on September 23, 1913. It was the last district to vote in the general election.{{cite news|title=Ready For Peace River Election|date=August 30, 1913|publisher=Manitoba Free Press|page=15|work=Vol 41 No. 48}}

There were three candidates chosen to run in the district. This was the first election in which the provincial Conservatives nominated a candidate; they chose Alphaeus Patterson to run under their banner.

The provincial Liberals chose William Archibald Rae, a pioneer barrister in the district, to run under their banner. Former Member of the Legislative Assembly William Bredin decided to also run as an Independent Liberal. All three candidates were residents of the town of Grande Prairie.

The election results showed a tight race between Patterson and Rae. Patterson won less than half of the popular vote while Bredin helped split the Liberal vote enough to allow Patterson to win.

Turnout and interest in the election were substantially up, as a wave of settlement had happened in the constituency in recent years.

{{Canadian election result/top|AB|1909|Peace River (provincial electoral district)|Peace River}}

{{Canadian election result|AB|Liberal|James Cornwall|Acclaimed}}

{{Canadian election result/total|Total votes|0}}

{{Canadian party colour|AB|Liberal|row}}

|colspan=3|Liberal gain from Independent Liberal

{{Canadian election result/source|hide={{cite web|url=http://www.abheritage.ca/abpolitics/administration/maps_choice.php?Year=1909&Constit=Peace_River| title=Peace River Official Results 1909 Alberta general election | publisher=Alberta Heritage Community Foundation | access-date=March 4, 2010}}}}

{{end}}

The 1909 general election in the Peace River district was scheduled to take place on July 7, 1909.

The only other riding in the province that had not yet voted was the Athabasca electoral district which was scheduled to vote on July 15, 1909. This was almost five months after the rest of the province had voted.{{cite news|title=To Be Contest For Both Seats|publisher=The Lethbridge Daily Herald|volume=II|issue=138|date=May 14, 1909}}

The two candidates initially in the race were incumbent Independent Liberal Thomas Brick and Liberal James Cornwall, who had run in the district twice before. Brick decided however to drop out of the race before the nomination deadline. Cornwall was the only candidate left in the race. He was acclaimed to office on June 30, 1909.{{cite news|title=Cornwall Elected|publisher=Manitoba Free Press|date=July 1, 1909|page=5|work= Vol 36 No. 309}}

{{Canadian election result/top|AB|by=yes|reason=Upon the invalidation of the 1905 result by Cabinet|February 15, 1906|Peace River (provincial electoral district)|Peace River|percent=yes}}

{{Canadian election result|AB|Independent Liberal|Thomas Brick|125|79.11}}

{{Canadian election result|AB|Liberal|James Cornwall|33|20.89}}

{{Canadian election result/total|Total votes|158}}

{{Canadian election result/pickup|AB|Independent Liberal}}

{{Canadian election result/source|hide={{cite web|url=http://www.abheritage.ca/abpolitics/administration/maps_choice.php?Year=1905&Constit=Peace_River| title=Peace River Official Results 1905 Alberta general election | publisher=Alberta Heritage Community Foundation | access-date=March 21, 2010}}}}

{{end}}

The provincial cabinet which overturned the 1905 election results due to significant irregularities issued a new writ for February 15, 1906.

The candidates in the race were James Cornwall, who was the official Liberal candidate. He decided to run for office a second time. The second candidate in the race was Peace River resident, fur trader Thomas Allen Brick who was a supporter of the Rutherford government and ran as an Independent Liberal.{{cite news|title=Local Notes|publisher=Manitoba Free Press|date=March 10, 1906|page=28|work=Vol 33 No. 213}}

Brick was nominated by a large group of residents living in the town of Peace River. asked resident and farmer Brick to run for office and represent them in Edmonton{{cite book|title=Peace River remembers : Peace River, Alberta, and adjacent districts|last=Hunt|first=Katherine|publisher=Sir Alexander Mackenzie Historical Society|year=1984|page=69}} The returns were announced by returning officer George McLeod on March 5, 1906.{{cite news|title=Brick Elected in Peace River|publisher=The Lethbridge Herald|work=Vol 1. No. 18|page=1|date=March 8, 1905}} Brick won easily, taking almost 80% of the 158 votes cast to defeat Cornwall in a landslide.{{cite web|url=http://www.abheritage.ca/abpolitics/administration/maps_choice.php?Year=1905&Constit=Peace_River| title=Peace River Official Results 1905 Alberta general election | publisher=Alberta Heritage Community Foundation | access-date=March 21, 2010}}

The results were certified on April 24, 1906, by the Clerk of the Executive Council in Edmonton two months after the start of the opening session of the 1st Alberta Legislative Assembly thus completing the 1905 general election.{{cite book|title=Alberta Gazette|publisher=Queens Printer|date=April 30, 1906|page=2}}

{{Canadian election result/top|AB|1905|Peace River (provincial electoral district)|Peace River}}

{{Canadian election result|AB|Independent Liberal|Lucien Dubuc|Unknown}}

{{Canadian election result|AB|Liberal|James Cornwall|Unknown}}

{{Canadian election result/total|Total votes|Unknown}}

{{Canadian election result/pickup|AB|Independent Liberal}}{{end}}

The first election held in 1905 in the Peace River electoral district took place on November 9, 1905, with the rest of the province.

The race was contested by James Cornwall who was a fur trader and businessman well known in northern Canada. He established trading posts all over north county. Cornwall's candidacy was officially endorsed by the provincial Liberals.

The other candidate in the race was Independent Lucien Dubuc. He was a lawyer and later became a judge and was a legal pioneer in Alberta's history. Dubuc despite being independent supported the government of Premier Alexander Rutherford.

Pundits had expected Cornwall to win the district easily.{{cite news|title=Attorney-General Cross Has Over Five-Hundred to the Good in Edmonton|publisher=Manitoba Free Press|date=November 10, 1905|page=1|work=Vol. 33 No. 110}} The returns came back 56 days after polls had closed as returning officer George Mcleod had to travel 1,100 miles to pick up the ballot boxes before returning to Edmonton.{{cite news|title=G.T.P. May Take Pine River Pass|publisher=Manitoba Free Press|page=12|work=Vol 33 No. 202|date=December 23, 1905}}

Dubuc was elected but the cabinet refused to recognize the results on the grounds that a proper election was never really held and returns were incomplete as polling stations were missed.{{cite web|title=The Arrival of Euro-Canadian Homesteaders and the Emergence of an Agricultural Sector|author1=Brad Stelfox |author2=David Leonard |author3=Bob Wynes |name-list-style=amp |url=http://www.dmi.ca/about_dmi/dmi_in_alberta/prpd/detailed_forest_management_plans/documents/Ch7.Agriculture.pdf |publisher=DMI |pages=7–10}} A new election was called for February 15, 1906, instead.{{cite news|title=Chips From The Block|page=1|publisher=The Lethbridge Herald|date=January 31, 1906|work=Vol 1 No. 18}} Dubuc challenged the calling of a new election in court.{{cite news|title=Peace River Election|date=February 26, 1906|publisher=Manitoba Free Press|page=10|work=Vol 33 No. 202}} The case was lost when the judge ruled that the courts have no jurisdiction in dealing with matters regarding elections and that responsibility is the purview of the legislature.{{cite news|title=The Peace River Case|date=March 20, 1906|publisher=Manitoba Free Press|page=11|work=Vol 33. No. 221}}

District results from the first province wide plebiscite on electricity regulation:

On October 30, 1957, a stand-alone plebiscite was held province wide in all 50 of the then current provincial electoral districts in Alberta. The government decided to consult Alberta voters to decide on liquor sales and mixed drinking after a divisive debate in the legislature. The plebiscite was intended to deal with the growing demand for reforming antiquated liquor control laws.{{cite news|title=Albertans Vote 2 to 1 For More Liquor Outlets|publisher=The Lethbridge Herald|date=October 31, 1957|pages=1–2|work=Vol L No 273}}

The plebiscite was conducted in two parts. Question A, asked in all districts, asked the voters if the sale of liquor should be expanded in Alberta, while Question B, asked in a handful of districts within the corporate limits of Calgary and Edmonton, asked if men and women should be allowed to drink together in establishments.

Province wide Question A of the plebiscite passed in 33 of the 50 districts while Question B passed in all five districts. Peace River overwhelmingly voted in favour of the proposal by a wide margin. Voter turnout in the district was extremely low, almost half the province wide average of 46%. This decline in turnout was attributed to heavy rains, high winds and flooding conditions in the district that kept people away from polling stations.

Official district returns were released to the public on December 31, 1957. The Social Credit government in power at the time did not consider the results binding.{{cite news|title=No Sudden Change In Alberta Drinking Habits Is Seen|publisher=The Lethbridge Herald|date=October 24, 1957|page=1|work=Vol L No 267}} However the results of the vote led the government to repeal all existing liquor legislation and introduce an entirely new Liquor Act.{{cite news|title=Entirely New Act On Liquor|publisher=The Lethbridge Herald|date=March 5, 1958|page=1|work=Vol LI No 72}}

Municipal districts lying inside electoral districts that voted against the plebiscite were designated Local Option Zones by the Alberta Liquor Control Board and considered effective dry zones. Business owners who wanted a license had to petition for a binding municipal plebiscite in order to be granted a license.{{cite book|title=Alberta Bills 12th Legislature 1st Session|publisher=Government of Alberta|chapter=Bill 81|page=40|year=1958}}

On November 19, 2004, a student vote was conducted at participating Alberta schools to parallel the 2004 Alberta general election results. The vote was designed to educate students and simulate the electoral process for persons who have not yet reached the legal majority. The vote was conducted in 80 of the 83 provincial electoral districts with students voting for actual election candidates. Schools with a large student body that reside in another electoral district had the option to vote for candidates outside of the electoral district than where they were physically located.

• List of Alberta provincial electoral districts
• Canadian provincial electoral districts

{{Reflist}}

• [http://www.canlii.org/ab/laws/sta/e-4.1/20050211/whole.html Electoral Divisions Act 2003]
• [http://www.finance.gov.ab.ca/aboutalberta/ped_profiles/2004_new_boundaries/Peace%20River.pdf Demographics for Peace River]
• [http://www.electionsalberta.ab.ca/maps%5Cnb%5C70_a1.pdf Riding Map of Peace River]
• [https://www.assembly.ab.ca/ Website of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta]
• [http://www.studentvote.ca/alberta/index.php Student Vote Alberta 2004]

{{Geographic Location

| Center = Peace River

| North = Northwest Territories

| Northeast =

| East = Fort McMurray-Wood Buffalo

| Southeast = Lesser Slave Lake

| South = Central Peace-Notley

| Southwest =

| West = British Columbia

| Northwest =

}}

{{AB-ED}}

{{Authority control}}

{{Coord |59|N|118|W|display=title}}

Category:Alberta provincial electoral districts

Category:Peace River Country