The bright July sun beat down on the Calgary Stampede grounds as interim NDP leader Don Davies adjusted his freshly-gifted white cowboy hat. It wasn’t his usual attire, but the 65-year-old Vancouver MP seemed comfortable in the role of political pilgrim to Alberta’s premier cultural event.
“You have to meet people where they are at,” Davies told me as we walked past food vendors and carnival games on Sunday afternoon. “That’s true in politics and it’s true in life.”
This marked Davies’ first Stampede appearance since taking the interim leadership reins from Jagmeet Singh in April. The visit represents more than just pancakes and photo-ops – it signals the party’s renewed focus on prairie politics heading into what many expect will be a 2026 election year.
“Albertans deserve a federal party that sees them as more than just a place to fly over between Ontario and BC,” Davies said, pausing to shake hands with a family from Red Deer. “The challenges facing working families here are the same ones we see across Canada – affordability, healthcare access, good jobs.”
The interim leader’s prairie outreach comes as recent polling from Abacus Data shows the NDP struggling to gain traction in Alberta, sitting at just 16 percent support compared to the Conservatives’ dominant 62 percent. However, Davies sees opportunity in the province’s changing political landscape.
Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek, who met briefly with Davies at the Stampede breakfast, noted the significance of his visit. “Federal leaders sometimes treat Calgary as an afterthought. Showing up matters, especially when you’re willing to listen more than talk.”
Davies spent considerable time at community events before his official Stampede appearance. On Saturday, he met with healthcare workers at the Alex Community Health Centre, discussing the province’s ongoing doctor shortage and mental health challenges.
Dr. Anita Sharma, who attended the healthcare roundtable, appreciated Davies’ approach. “He asked questions about our specific needs rather than just reciting party talking points. That’s refreshingly different from what we often see.”
The NDP’s Alberta strategy reflects a broader shift since Davies took interim leadership. Party insiders describe his approach as “pragmatic progressivism” – maintaining core social democratic values while focusing on kitchen-table economic issues that resonate beyond traditional NDP strongholds.
“Don understands that working people in Fort McMurray have the same concerns about paying their bills as workers in downtown Toronto,” said Alberta NDP MLA Sarah Hoffman, who joined Davies at several weekend events. “That kind of authentic connection matters more than ideological purity tests.”
Davies’ Stampede circuit included stops at Indigenous exhibits, agricultural showcases, and even a brief appearance at the rodeo – though he carefully avoided commentary on animal welfare issues that have sometimes put progressive politicians at odds with Stampede traditions.
Instead, the interim leader focused on economic messages tailored to Alberta audiences. At a Sunday brunch hosted by local union members, Davies highlighted the NDP’s support for energy workers through transition periods.
“We won’t leave any workers behind,” he told the crowd of about 75 people. “A just transition means creating opportunities, not abandoning communities that have powered our nation for generations.”
This messaging represents a subtle but significant shift from previous NDP approaches that sometimes emphasized environmental concerns over resource development – a balance Davies seems determined to recalibrate.
Political analyst Martha Robinson from Mount Royal University sees Davies’ Stampede debut as part of a longer-term strategy. “The NDP isn’t likely to win many Alberta seats in the next election, but they’re clearly investing in relationship-building now that could pay dividends down the road.”
The interim leader’s prairie tour continues Tuesday with visits to Edmonton and then Saskatchewan later in the week. But Davies insisted his Stampede appearance wasn’t just about electoral calculations.
As we walked past the agriculture barns, Davies stopped to chat with Heather Williamson, a third-generation cattle rancher from southern Alberta. Their conversation quickly moved from livestock prices to rural healthcare access.
“I don’t expect him to solve all our problems,” Williamson told me after their conversation. “But he listened, and that’s more than we usually get from Ottawa folks wearing fancy new cowboy hats.”
Davies’ approach appears to be winning some grudging respect, even in Conservative territory. Calgary businessman Jim Thornton, wearing a blue Conservative button on his western shirt, shook Davies’ hand at the Nashville North music venue.
“I’m not voting NDP, but I appreciate him showing up and not talking down to us,” Thornton said. “Too many politicians from back east think they know what Alberta needs without ever spending time here.”
As the interim leader prepares for a leadership race expected to begin later this year, his Stampede visit offers clues about the direction he hopes to take the party. By emphasizing economic security alongside social justice, Davies seems intent on repositioning the NDP as champions for working people across regional divides.
“The party that will earn Canadians’ trust is the one that understands their daily struggles,” Davies told a small gathering at an evening community event. “That means showing up, listening more than talking, and building solutions from the ground up.”
Whether this grassroots approach can translate into electoral gains remains to be seen. But as Davies departed the Stampede grounds Sunday evening, still wearing his white cowboy hat, it was clear the interim leader is determined to ensure the NDP’s political future includes more than just its traditional base.
