Banff-Airdrie MP Blake Richards will be facing at least three opponents in the Sept. 20 federal election.

Liberal David Gamble, Maverick Tariq Elnaga, and Cochranite Nadine Wellwood of the People's Party of Canada (PPC) will all be attempting to unseat the long-time Conservative MP. Richards is seeking his fifth term.

Neither the Green Party nor NDP have named candidates at this point but were represented in the 2019 federal election.

The election was called yesterday and will have the shortest campaign period allowed by law. Had the Trudeau administration stood the full term, the election would have taken place in October 2023.

Yesterday, Liberal Gamble kicked off his campaign in Canmore on Sunday and is holding a meet and greet in Cochrane tonight (Aug. 16) at the Canadian Brewhouse.

Wellwood is the lone candidate that calls Cochrane home and ran in the last federal election. She knew then she would be running again because she strongly believes in the principles of the party. 

"Our platform hasn't changed because it's very principled. Freedom, fairness, respect, and responsibility--these are Canadian values, especially here in the West."

She says the election call is unnecessary because the Trudeau Government has been able to get everything it wants with its minority government.

"Now more than ever, I think we need strong voices that are willing to stand up and say what needs to be said in a principled fashion. I think it's one of the most important elections in our lifetime."

PPC leader Maxime Bernier is scheduled to be in the riding during the campaign and visited Cochrane during the 2019 election. The date is being finalized.

Maverick Tariq Elnaga was already in election mode before yesterday's announcement. He also believes the election is unnecessary, but now that the rite has been dropped says, "Bring it on."

"We're going to put on a strong and well-fought campaign. It's time for the Maverick moment to start, it's time for true Western representation and equity, and that's what I'm all about."

No candidate forums have been announced for Cochrane at this point.

Initial comments have been sought from Richards and Gamble, but there was no immediate response.

Besides voting on election day, there will be several other ways to cast ballots. Advance polls are being held from Sept. 10 to 13. Votes can be cast by mail, providing an application is made before Sept. 14. Special ballots can be cast at Elections Canada offices.