Pancakes, pipelines and independence: politics serving up new flavour at this year’s Calgary Stampede

'World’s premier politician petting zoo' has new dynamic as Alberta referendum looms

Nearly eight decades have passed since Louis St. Laurent, Canada’s 12th prime minister, rolled in an open carriage through downtown streets as the Calgary Stampede parade marshal, led by red-coated Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

“I shall always cherish this memory of Calgary,” St. Laurent said later that day after being given a white buckskin waistcoat by city officials in 1950.

St. Laurent is one in a long line of prime ministers who have gathered at the Stampede, ranging from R. B. Bennett to Stephen Harper to both Trudeaus.

Indeed, generations of Canada’s political class have summited at the “Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth” to shake hands and flip pancakes, including premiers, MLAs, MPs and senators.

Pierre Trudeau poses for pictures at the Calgary Stampede

The political dynamic often comes with a degree of intrigue as politicians take the temperature of what’s traditionally been one of Canada’s more conservative cities — and perhaps court backing from some of its deep-pocketed oil executives.

It’s perhaps been kicked up a notch this summer.

This year’s festival arrives with a looming referendum on Alberta’s future within Canada and, as of Thursday night, a multibillion-dollar pipeline bid.

On the eve of the annual parade, Premier Danielle Smith and Prime Minister Mark Carney unveiled the first details of Alberta’s pitch for an oil pipeline to British Columbia’s southern coast.

It coincided with “sneak-a-peek," a first glimpse of the wild rides and games on the Stampede grounds.

Alberta pitches southern route for West Coast pipeline, with a price tag of $35B or more

Calgary Stampede parade kicks off 10 days of western fun

Barring breaking political news, it’s the Stampede that looms atop the summer calendar as an opportunity for politicians to connect with voters through both social and legacy media, in the view of Lori Williams, a political science professor at Calgary’s Mount Royal University.

For that reason, it’s no surprise that politicians and advocates use it as an opportunity to fundraise, campaign and try to drive the narrative, she said.

“This is going to be the big opportunity for both fundraising and messaging, setting the tone of the referendum discussion for the summer,” Williams said.

Dozens of Liberal MPs are expected to attend.

Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre waved to Calgarians as he rode a horse during Friday’s Stampede parade.

U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra also plans to hit the Stampede circuit, attending chuckwagon races and the rodeo. He’ll meet with Canadian officials, as well as business leaders from sectors like energy and defence.

During the parade, Smith rode in a horse-drawn carriage with members of her cabinet in tow. Smith’s calendar is busy with breakfasts, barbecues and receptions across the city during Stampede week.

"Alberta has a great story to tell, and during the Calgary Stampede the premier will continue to promote and champion our province as Canada’s premier destination to live, work, and raise a family,” wrote Sam Blackett, the premier’s press secretary, in an email.

Calgary Mayor Jeromy Farkas said a lot of deals get done during Stampede and, when it comes to politicians, they tend to leave their agendas at the door.

“It is probably the world’s premier politician petting zoo,” he said.

Alberta NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi also took part in the parade, a route he walked many times as Calgary’s mayor. He'll attend an NDP pancake breakfast on Sunday.

A spokesperson for the NDP wrote that the Stampede is “one of the best opportunities all year” to connect with Albertans and hear what's concerning them.

While the usual federal, provincial and municipal leaders will do their best to advance their message, so too will new groups vying to change the conversation.

“The Calgary Stampede is for the exchange of political ideas,” said Keith Wilson, a lawyer and advocate for separation with the third-party advertiser Let Alberta Decide.

“The leaders of all political parties make it a habit and a ritual to attend. And we’re going to be there as well.”

Not all separatist groups will have a presence at the festival. Organizers with the Alberta Prosperity Project, for instance, said they’re sitting this one out. Independence groups didn’t have a float in Friday’s parade, organizers with the Stampede said.

But Wilson’s group plans to hold a Stampede breakfast on the festival’s final Sunday at the Ranchman’s Cookhouse and Dancehall, where he said pro-independence organizers will deliver campaign-style speeches.

The Stampede, of course, has long been delivered with a flair of Canadiana. The national anthem is played before every rodeo event, and the stars of the evening grandstand show are dubbed the Young Canadians. This year’s parade marshals were Courtney Sarault and Mikaël Kingsbury, Olympians for Team Canada.

Flags become symbols for two sides in Alberta’s separation debate

Forever Canadian, the organization that headed up a petition drive aimed at keeping Alberta in Canada, will host a pop-up at the Ruberto Ostberg Gallery on July 4, and will be present at the pancake breakfast for Corey Hogan, Liberal MP for Calgary Confederation, on July 5.

Thomas Lukaszuk, a former Progressive Conservative deputy premier and head organizer of the Forever Canadian petition, said his organization will be focused on handing out lawn signs so people can display their stance about staying in Canada.

“Any speculations on what Stampede would be, could be or should be are simply a futile exercise, because the fact is that Calgary will always be a great city in Alberta, and Alberta will always be a great province in Canada,” Lukaszuk said.

CBC News requested comment from Stampede organizers about whether they had held any meetings to discuss its approach to hosting Canadian celebrations amid the approaching referendum.

“As a not-for-profit organization and city-wide celebration, the Calgary Stampede is looking forward to bringing people together from across Alberta, Canada and around the world for Stampede 2026,” reads a statement attributed to the Calgary Stampede.

The Stampede went on to say that its focus “is on delivering an unforgettable celebration that showcases the very best of our city, our western hospitality and our community spirit.”

The Calgary Stampede runs until July 12.

Joel is a reporter/editor with CBC Calgary. In fall 2021, he spent time with CBC's bureau in Lethbridge. He was previously the editor of the Airdrie City View and Rocky View Weekly newspapers. He hails from Swift Current, Sask. Reach him by email at joel.dryden@cbc.ca

With files from Tony Seskus and The Canadian Press