Liberals aren't popular in the West. But 3 likely leadership contenders can play up regional roots

Whoever emerges from the upcoming Liberal leadership race will face a formidable Conservative challenger with a populist message and deep connections to Alberta. And this battle for the nation's top political post has a distinctly western Canadian flavour, with three major figures tied to the region.

On Friday, CBC News reported former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney is expected to formally announce his bid to replace Prime Minister Justin Trudeau late next week, backed by more than 30 MPs. 

Carney is seen as an outsider who could offer a fresh start for the party. While his name may evoke images of central banks and monetary policy, Carney's roots tell a lesser-known story.

Raised in Edmonton, Carney went to high school in the city before embarking on a career in finance. His Alberta upbringing has long fuelled speculation he might seek a seat in Edmonton.

Former finance minister Chrystia Freeland also has Alberta roots. She was born in the picturesque small town of Peace River, Alta. Her father was a lawyer and farmer, while her Ukrainian mother ran for the federal NDP in Edmonton during the 1988 federal election. 

Then there's Christy Clark, who made her political mark in the West as a British Columbia premier — though her leadership ambitions are now being overshadowed by questions about previous membership in the federal Conservative Party.

"The centre of politics has changed," said Ian Brodie, who was chief of staff to Stephen Harper when he was prime minister, on this week's West of Centre podcast with host Kathleen Petty.

"The centre of the country's economy has changed," he said. "The centre of the creative part of the country has shifted. The seats in the House of Commons have shifted west."

Only two candidates so far have thrown their hats into the ring to succeed Trudeau — Liberal backbencher Chandra Arya from Ontario, and businessman Frank Baylis, a former Québec MP.

On the other side of the aisle, Pierre Poilievre looms large. 

Though he's represented an Ottawa-area riding for 20 years, he was born in Calgary. At last summer's Calgary Stampede, Poilievre leaned heavily into his local connections.

"Great to be home in my hometown," he told a cheering crowd, before rhyming off the names of neighbourhoods where he grew up. 

"I grew up in Shawnessy. Our first place was in Deer Run … and some of my best memories are from here, of course. I went to school — Janet Johnstone elementary school, went to [Henry] Wise Wood [High School] … grew up playing in Fish Creek Park."

Poilievre's Alberta roots give him an authenticity in the West that no other federal leader can match perhaps since Harper, who hailed from the same University of Calgary stream of young conservatives.