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Kent Hehr
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Kent Hehr
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Kent Hehr PC (born December 16, 1969)[1] is a former Canadian politician from Alberta. He served as the Liberal Member of Parliament for the riding of Calgary Centre from 2015 to 2019. Hehr was named Minister of Veterans Affairs in the federal Cabinet, headed by Justin Trudeau, on November 4, 2015, and was shuffled to be Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities in August 2017. Hehr resigned from cabinet on January 25, 2018, after allegations of workplace misconduct surfaced from when he was the Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta for Calgary-Buffalo.[2][3]

Key Information

On September 6, 2021, it was reported that Hehr would file nomination papers to run for mayor in the 2021 Calgary municipal election.[4] He filed for that office but withdrew his candidacy later in September, citing the heightened risks from COVID-19 infection for people with spinal cord injuries.[5]

Before entering politics, Hehr worked as a disability activist and a lawyer.

Personal life

[edit]

As a teenager, Hehr was active in sports including both baseball and hockey. These are interests which Hehr is still passionate about to this day. He played for the Alberta Junior Hockey League champion Calgary Canucks in 1989–90 and for the Mount Royal College Cougars the following year.

He had a goal of becoming a physical education teacher. However, on October 3, 1991, Hehr was shot as a bystander in a drive-by shooting. He was rendered a C5 quadriplegic; he is paralyzed from the chest down.[6] His injuries ended his plans, and instead Hehr pursued post-secondary studies at Mount Royal College and then at the University of Calgary, from which he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Canadian Studies and a Bachelor of Laws. Upon graduation he was named graduate of the decade and ranked among the top 40 graduates in 40 years. Prior to being elected Member of the Legislative Assembly, Hehr practised law at Fraser Milner Casgrain.

Hehr also became active in the community, leading various groups, such as the Alberta branch of the Canadian Paraplegic Association. In 2008, he was listed as one of "20 Compelling Calgarians" by the Calgary Herald.[7]

Hehr has also been active in numerous community groups within Calgary. He has served on the following boards in the past few years:[8]

  • National Education Association of Disabled Students, president
  • Calgary Advisory Committee on Accessibility, chair
  • Spinal Cord Injury Alberta, chair
  • Calgary Downtown West Community Association
  • United Way of Calgary Leaders Committee
  • Calgary Canuck Alumni Association

Provincial politics

[edit]

In June 2006, Hehr won the Liberal nomination for Calgary-Buffalo, in the heart of downtown Calgary.[9] He was subsequently elected to the legislature in the March 3, 2008 general election.[3]

Kent Hehr and David Swann at the Calgary Stampede

After the election, Hehr was chosen to be the Shadow Minister for Justice and Solicitor General for the Alberta Liberal Caucus.[10] As the Shadow Minister, Hehr worked to tackle crime in the province while focusing on other justice issues.

In the legislature, Hehr served on the following committees:[11]

  • Special Standing Committee on Member Services
  • Standing Committee on Community Services (deputy chair)
  • Standing Committee on Resource and Environment

Hehr campaigned for mayor in the 2010 Calgary municipal election but withdrew a month before the vote to endorse Naheed Nenshi.[12]

LGBT rights

[edit]

In 2014, Hehr proposed a private member's bill into the Alberta Legislature that would urge public schools to support students who wished to create gay-straight alliances.[13] The bill, while supported by the Liberals, Alberta NDP and some Progressive Conservatives, was voted down by a majority of PC and Wildrose MLAs in April.[14]

Six months later Laurie Blakeman brought a private members bill forward which essentially adopted Hehr's motion. Instead of allowing a vote to proceed on this motion, the PC government brought in their own bill, the essence of which allowed public, Catholic, and private school entities to decide whether or not they would allow a Gay-Straight Alliance in their district. Ultimately the PCs brought in a reformed bill that effectively allowed Gay-Straight Alliances in all schools throughout the province.

Gun violence

[edit]

For Hehr, himself a shooting victim, a major focus has been on gun violence in the province. Soon after he was elected, the City of Calgary became trapped in a gang war which has claimed the lives of many young individuals.[15]

Hehr put pressure on the government to help reduce these numbers. He started by calling on the province to increase the number of police officers on the beat in downtown Calgary. The Mayor and the Police Chief have also joined in his call to increase the number of police officers.[16]

Hehr's most recent call was to give police the power to seize vehicles that contain unregistered firearms, along with the gun.[15] Bill 201 was defeated in second reading on March 9, 2009, with no Conservative MLA support.[17]

Federal politics

[edit]
Hehr at the 2015 Halifax International Security Forum

On July 17, 2014, following some speculation, Hehr announced he would seek the Liberal nomination in Calgary Centre for the 2015 federal election.[18][19] On November 28, he was acclaimed as the Liberal candidate.[20] The Liberals were very optimistic about their chances in the riding. Conservative incumbent Joan Crockatt had only won a 2012 by-election with 37 percent of the vote, the worst showing for a Tory in Calgary in recent memory. Additionally, a redistribution made the riding slightly friendlier to the Liberals on paper.

At the October 19, 2015 election, Hehr defeated Crockatt by 750 votes. Alongside Calgary Skyview member of Parliament Darshan Kang, who was elected the same evening, Hehr became the first Liberal elected in Calgary since Pat Mahoney in 1968.[20] He and Kang are only the fifth and sixth Liberals to represent Calgary ridings in the party's entire history.

Hehr was appointed Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence in Justin Trudeau's first cabinet on November 4, 2015.[21]

In a cabinet shuffle in late 2017, Hehr became Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities, succeeding Carla Qualtrough on August 28, 2017.[22][23]

In November 2017, it was reported that the Ethics Commissioner was investigating Hehr following accusations that he used Parliamentary Resources to help his father campaign for a seat on the Calgary Board of Education.[24] He was subsequently cleared in this investigation.

In December 2017, Hehr was accused of making insensitive remarks to a group of thalidomide survivors. In a meeting early that year, the members of the group accused Hehr of inappropriate touching, saying "Well you don't have it so bad. Everyone in Canada has a sob story", and in reference to their reduced life expectancy "So you probably have about 10 years left then now, that's good news for the Canadian government."[25] He denied making the statement.

Shortly after, a wife of a veteran with posttraumatic stress disorder came forward accusing him of poor treatment during a meeting in October 2016. The woman said he was "very condescending", gave her only two minutes of his time, when asked a question about the government denying maternity benefits he replied "Well, Ms. McCrea, that is the old question, like asking ... 'When did you stop beating your wife?'",[26] and when asked about support for her family he allegedly responded "you married him, he's your responsibility".[27]

Sexual harassment allegations

[edit]

Hehr resigned from cabinet on January 25, 2018, amid two separate allegations of sexual harassment dating to his time in the Alberta legislature. One woman claimed that he had made sexually suggestive remarks to her, while another claimed he'd touched her inappropriately. Hehr apologized for the first incident, saying that while he did not remember meeting the woman, he realized that he had made her uncomfortable. However, he maintained that the second incident was the product of unintentional contact. On June 6, 2018, following the completion of the investigation, Trudeau decided that Hehr would not return to cabinet.[2]

He lost his seat to Conservative Greg McLean in the 2019 federal election, losing over half of his vote from 2015.

2021 mayoral campaign

[edit]

On September 6, 2021, Global News reported that Hehr would be filing nomination papers to run for mayor in the 2021 Calgary municipal election, which was scheduled for October 18.[4] After announcing his mayoral campaign that day, Hehr said that he would allow the report into his sexual misconduct allegations to be made public. He had previously argued that they should not be released over privacy concerns. Hehr withdrew from the race on September 21, the last possible day to do so, citing personal health risks from COVID-19.[28]

Electoral record

[edit]

Federal

[edit]
2019 Canadian federal election: Calgary Centre
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Expenditures
Conservative Greg McLean 37,306 56.64 +11.34 $111,276.33
Liberal Kent Hehr 17,771 26.98 -19.54 $112,059.94
New Democratic Jessica Buresi 6,516 9.89 +4.32 $832.79
Green Thana Boonlert 2,853 4.33 +2.13 $7,973.82
People's Chevy Johnston 907 1.38 - $13,514.03
Animal Protection Eden Gould 247 0.38 - $1,717.18
Independent Michael Pewtress 138 0.21 $1,189.15
Christian Heritage Dawid Pawlowski 126 0.19 - none listed
Total valid votes/expense limit 65,864 99.42
Total rejected ballots 385 0.58 +0.21
Turnout 66,249 68.21 -1.89
Eligible voters 97,129
Conservative gain from Liberal Swing +15.44
Source: Elections Canada[29][30][31]
2015 Canadian federal election: Calgary Centre
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Expenditures
Liberal Kent Hehr 28,496 46.52 +27.40 $190,509.57
Conservative Joan Crockatt 27,746 45.30 −10.07 $157,845.73
New Democratic Jillian Ratti 3,412 5.57 −9.59 $19,466.71
Green Thana Boonlert 1,347 2.20 −8.13 $3,584.84
Independent Yogi Henderson 248 0.39 $1,203.28
Total valid votes/Expense limit 61,249 100.00   $222,181.20
Total rejected ballots 227 0.37 –
Turnout 61,476 72.36 –
Eligible voters 84,960
Liberal gain from Conservative Swing +18.73
Source: Elections Canada[32][33]

Provincial

[edit]
2012 Alberta general election: Calgary-Buffalo
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Kent Hehr 4,740 41.47% -7.36%
Progressive Conservative Jamie Lall 3,506 30.67% -8.18%
Wildrose Mike Blanchard 2,415 21.13% –
New Democratic Rebecca Eras 539 4.72% 0.59%
Alberta Party Cory Mack 230 2.01% –
Total 11,430 – –
Rejected, spoiled and declined 176 – –
Eligible electors / turnout 26,220 44.26% 13.88%
Liberal hold Swing 0.41%
Source(s)
Source: "05 - Calgary-Buffalo, 2012 Alberta general election". officialresults.elections.ab.ca. Elections Alberta. Retrieved May 21, 2020.
2008 Alberta general election: Calgary-Buffalo
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Kent Hehr 4,583 48.83% 12.42%
Progressive Conservative Sean Chu 3,646 38.85% -4.68%
Green Stephen Ricketts 611 6.51% -2.16%
New Democratic Robert Lawrence 387 4.12% -1.79%
Social Credit Antoni (Tony) Grochowski 158 1.68% 0.74%
Total 9,385 – –
Rejected, spoiled and declined 103 – –
Eligible electors / turnout 31,223 30.39% -1.33%
Liberal gain from Progressive Conservative Swing 1.43%
Source(s)
Source: "03 - Calgary-Buffalo, 2008 Alberta general election". officialresults.elections.ab.ca. Elections Alberta. Retrieved May 21, 2020.
The Report on the March 3, 2008 Provincial General Election of the Twenty-seventh Legislative Assembly. Elections Alberta. July 28, 2008. pp. 178–180.

[34] [35]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Kent Hehr

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Kent Hehr PC (born December 16, 1969) is a Canadian lawyer and former politician who served as the Liberal Member of Parliament for Calgary Centre from 2015 to 2019. He held federal cabinet positions as Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence from November 2015 to August 2017, followed by Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities until his resignation in January 2018 amid an investigation into allegations of inappropriate comments and workplace misconduct toward female staff and others. Prior to entering federal politics, Hehr represented Calgary-Buffalo in the Alberta Legislative Assembly from 2008 to 2014. Hehr became paraplegic at age 21 following a spinal cord injury sustained from a gunshot wound during a 1991 incident in Calgary.

Early Life and Personal Background

Childhood and Education

Kent Hehr was born on December 16, 1969, in , . He was raised in the city by parents who worked as school teachers, instilling an early appreciation for education and community involvement. He attended Mount Royal College in during his early adulthood. Hehr later pursued higher education at the , where he completed a degree followed by a in 2001. Upon graduation, he was admitted to the Bar, qualifying him to practice as a .

Disability Incident and Its Aftermath

On October 3, 1991, Kent Hehr, aged 22 and a aspiring to become a , sustained a severe during a in . While riding as a passenger in a friend's car late at night, Hehr was struck in the neck by a fired from another by an unknown assailant, resulting in a C5-level quadriplegia that paralyzed him from the chest down and eliminated sensation below his breastbone. Hehr spent seven months in the hospital immediately following the incident, enduring intensive rehabilitation to regain functional independence amid profound physical and emotional challenges, including initial difficulties with basic tasks like scratching an itch due to impaired . The injury necessitated lifelong use and adaptations for daily living, yet Hehr has described the period as one of forced resilience, shifting from an active athletic lifestyle to methodical recovery and self-reliance. In the years after, Hehr resumed his education, earning a and qualifying as a despite ongoing limitations such as reduced upper-body strength and dependency on assistive devices, reflecting a personal commitment to reclaiming professional . He has reflected on the incident's as a pivotal rupture—"the day the music stopped"—emphasizing individual agency in adaptation over victimhood, though without attributing blame to specific parties beyond the criminal act itself.

Provincial Political Career

2008 Election and Entry into Politics

Kent Hehr, a Calgary lawyer and quadriplegic activist, entered provincial politics as the Alberta Liberal candidate for the Calgary-Buffalo electoral district in the general election held on March 3, 2008. Representing the opposition Alberta Liberal Party, he secured victory with 4,583 votes, equivalent to 48.83% of the popular vote in the riding, defeating the incumbent Progressive Conservative candidate. This outcome represented the first Liberal win in Calgary-Buffalo since Sheldon Chumir's election in 1986, breaking a nearly two-decade hold by the Progressive Conservatives on the downtown Calgary seat. The broader 2008 election saw the Progressive Conservatives, under Premier , retain a with 72 of 83 seats, while the Liberals expanded from two to nine seats amid localized voter shifts in urban areas like . Hehr's campaign emphasized his personal narrative of overcoming a 1991 that resulted in quadriplegia, positioning him as a resilient advocate for community issues in a riding encompassing diverse urban neighborhoods. Following his election, Hehr was sworn in as a (MLA) on March 3, 2008, marking his transition from practice to elected office within 's opposition caucus.

Legislative Roles and Policy Initiatives

Hehr was elected to the on April 23, 2008, representing the riding of Calgary-Buffalo as a member of the , securing 44.3% of the vote in a riding historically competitive between Liberals and Progressive Conservatives. In his initial term, he was appointed the party's justice critic, a role in which he focused on and public safety issues. As justice critic, Hehr advocated for expanded police resources amid documented concerns over urban crime in , including elevated rates in that ranked the city among western Canadian metropolitan areas with higher indicators. He criticized provincial funding cuts to the police college, arguing they lacked rationale and undermined training capacity, and pressed the to hire additional officers, as evidenced by his , , question to the committing to more policing amid rising demands. This advocacy contributed to actions increasing police numbers, according to Hehr's account of pressuring the Progressive Conservative administration. Hehr introduced a in March 2009 targeting activity and drive-by shootings through enhanced penalties and investigative tools, which he positioned as a measure to bolster community safety and indirectly support victims by curbing ; the bill was defeated by the majority. He also engaged in legislative debates supporting anti- legislation, such as endorsing bills providing new tools for police while calling for further momentum on enforcement. In committee and opposition scrutiny, he highlighted inadequacies in programs for repeat offenders, advocating for substantive reforms over what he described as superficial announcements. Re-elected on April 23, 2012, with 41.1% of the vote amid a Liberal caucus reduced to five seats, Hehr continued as critic and was appointed deputy opposition leader in September 2011, roles that amplified his focus on holding the accountable. In this capacity, he critiqued Progressive Conservative fiscal management, including excessive spending during the resource boom, as part of broader Liberal opposition efforts to demand transparency and restraint in provincial budgeting.

Stances on Key Issues

Hehr advocated for the establishment of gay-straight alliances (GSAs) in schools as a means to support LGBTQ s and reduce , introducing a private member's motion in April 2014 that required school boards to permit such groups upon student request. The motion, supported by Liberal and NDP members, was defeated 31-19 along party lines by Progressive Conservative and Wildrose MLAs, who argued it infringed on parental and local school board discretion without compelling evidence of widespread harm necessitating mandatory implementation. Hehr expressed disappointment but pledged to continue the effort, contributing to subsequent government action in Bill 10, which amended the Education Act to affirm schools' obligation to allow GSAs or similar groups while removing prior parental notification requirements for certain matters. Critics, including conservative opponents and parental advocates, contended the policy prioritized over involvement, potentially exacerbating divisions without longitudinal data demonstrating improved educational or mental health outcomes attributable to GSAs over alternative counseling approaches. On firearm safety, Hehr's advocacy drew from his personal experience of from a drive-by at age 21, leading him to support measures aimed at curbing violence during his tenure as an Alberta Liberal MLA. He positioned such efforts as commonsense responses to risks, though provincial limited direct influence, with debates centering on rather than new restrictions. Opponents highlighted Canadian statistics showing accidental shootings comprise a small fraction of firearm incidents—around 5% of injuries per reports from the era—with root causes tied more to improper storage and handling gaps than access levels, questioning the causal efficacy of further controls absent targeted compliance improvements. As critic for the Alberta Liberals, Hehr criticized the Progressive Conservative government's , urging stronger protection of the province's oil and gas sector amid federal pressures, such as in 2011 calls for the Stelmach administration to robustly defend 's interests against perceived encroachments. Despite this, conservative rivals accused him and his party of insufficient commitment to and advocacy, viewing their alignment with broader Liberal fiscal and environmental priorities as risking alienation of 's resource-dependent voters, who prioritized unhindered development over opposition critiques that echoed national party lines without proposing viable alternatives to PC policies. This perception contributed to the Liberals' marginal electoral standing in an economy reliant on exports, where data from 2008 and 2012 showed strong preference for parties emphasizing sector growth over incremental reforms.

Federal Political Career

2015 Election and Cabinet Position

In the federal election on October 19, 2015, Kent Hehr won the Calgary Centre riding as the Liberal candidate, defeating incumbent Conservative MP Joan Crockatt by a margin of approximately 4,000 votes in a race deemed competitive beforehand. The victory flipped the seat, which Crockatt had captured in a tight 2012 , amid a broader Liberal surge under leader that secured a with 184 seats. Hehr, transitioning from Alberta provincial politics, garnered support in the urban, swing riding encompassing and surrounding areas. On November 4, 2015, Prime Minister Trudeau appointed Hehr to the cabinet as Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence, positions responsible for overseeing benefits, health services, and commemoration for Canadian veterans alongside defence policy support./roles) This marked the first time a Liberal from Calgary held a cabinet post since 1972, reflecting the party's breakthrough in the traditionally Conservative stronghold of Alberta. Hehr's appointment leveraged his personal experience with disability and prior advocacy, positioning him to address federal priorities in veterans' support early in the government's term.

Ministerial Tenure and Policy Focus


Kent Hehr was appointed Minister of on November 4, 2015, where he prioritized restoring support options for injured service members, including a commitment to reinstate lifetime pensions as an alternative to lump-sum payments. This initiative aimed to address long-standing grievances over benefit structures, though an advisory panel cautioned that full implementation would necessitate significant reforms to avoid overlapping with existing programs. During his tenure, Hehr engaged with stakeholders to enhance service delivery, but progress was critiqued for delays in delivering on electoral promises amid departmental budget constraints exceeding $4 billion annually. On August 28, 2017, Hehr was shuffled to Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities, tasked with advancing inclusion and for with disabilities. In this role, he led initial consultations for a proposed national , drawing on stakeholder input to identify barriers in federal jurisdictions, though the resulting framework faced subsequent criticism for fragmented enforcement across agencies and limited reach into private-sector operations. He oversaw targeted via the Opportunities Fund, allocating over $150,000 to community projects like those at the to support employment training for persons with disabilities. Hehr promoted as a for inclusivity, endorsing private-sector commitments such as Canadian Tire's $50 million, five-year pledge through to expand access for children with disabilities. His department highlighted achievements in adaptive programming and national awareness efforts, including Disability Awareness Month, to encourage workplace accommodations. However, empirical revealed ongoing disparities, with the rate for persons with disabilities lagging 30 percent behind the general population, underscoring limited progress in closing wage and participation gaps despite these initiatives. No mandatory employment quotas were enacted under his oversight, relying instead on voluntary employer recognition programs.

Resignation and Remaining Term

Kent Hehr resigned from his cabinet positions as Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities and associate Minister of Canadian Heritage on January 25, 2018, a decision accepted by amid complaints that had surfaced regarding his past conduct. He retained his role as the Liberal Member of Parliament for Calgary Centre and continued as a member of the parliamentary Liberal caucus, stating his intention to focus on constituent representation. In the period following his cabinet exit, Hehr emphasized his commitment to parliamentary work, including participation in proceedings and caucus deliberations, while declining a return to cabinet after an external review concluded in June 2018. He announced plans to seek re-election in the upcoming federal contest, prioritizing service to Calgary Centre residents amid regional economic pressures such as the ongoing oil sector downturn. Hehr served out the remainder of his term until the 2019 federal election on October 21, when he lost the Centre riding to Conservative challenger Greg McLean by a margin reflecting Alberta's pronounced shift toward conservative preferences, driven in part by voter frustration over federal energy policies and pipeline delays. The defeat contributed to a Conservative sweep of all ridings, reversing Liberal gains from in the context of provincial economic discontent.

Sexual Misconduct Allegations

Initial Accusations and Public Response

On January 24, 2018, Kristin Raworth, a former public servant who had worked with Kent Hehr during his tenure as a provincial MLA, publicly accused him via of repeated inappropriate sexual comments and advances spanning several years around 2008–2011, including calling her "yummy," commenting on her appearance in a sexualized manner, and fostering a workplace environment that made her feel uncomfortable and unsafe. Raworth described the behavior as creating ongoing discomfort, though she noted no physical contact occurred, and emphasized that the allegations predated formal policies in the . Hehr resigned from his federal cabinet position as Minister of and Persons with Disabilities on January 25, 2018, pending an independent investigation, stating in his official response that "harassment of any kind is never acceptable" and apologizing "if I have made anyone feel uncomfortable," while taking responsibility for his actions. He denied intentional , asserting that any interactions were consensual, that he had received no prior formal complaints during his time in office, and that the claims did not align with his recollection of events. In the immediate aftermath, additional women came forward with accounts of similar patterns, including warnings they had received about Hehr's behavior as an "open secret" in political circles, where female staffers were reportedly advised to avoid working closely with him due to risks of uncomfortable advances or comments. One anonymous woman alleged comparable verbal misconduct, contributing to perceptions of a recurring issue. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accepted Hehr's resignation the same day, affirming unequivocal support for women raising allegations and the need for through investigation, while allowing Hehr to remain in the Liberal as an MP—a stance contrasted with more rapid caucus expulsions in contemporaneous cases like that of Ontario PC leader Patrick Brown, who resigned immediately upon similar accusations without awaiting inquiry. Trudeau described the approach as case-specific, amid broader #MeToo pressures, stating the government was "doing the best that we can" to address systemic issues in politics.

Investigation and Outcomes

The Liberal Party commissioned a third-party investigation into the sexual misconduct allegations against Hehr, led by an independent investigator, which concluded in early June 2018. The findings determined that Hehr had engaged in inappropriate touching toward one complainant but recommended no further party action, allowing him to remain in the parliamentary caucus without returning to cabinet. However, the full report was not publicly released, with Hehr and party officials citing complainant privacy concerns as the rationale for withholding it. Complainants expressed frustration over the non-disclosure, arguing in February 2019 that access to the report was necessary for personal closure, even if it required waiving their anonymity. Hehr defended the decision, emphasizing protection of those who came forward, amid broader scrutiny of transparency in political handling of such probes during the #MeToo period. No criminal charges were ever filed against Hehr in connection with the allegations, as they were characterized as non-criminal workplace misconduct rather than offenses warranting prosecution. Hehr continued serving as MP for Calgary Centre until his defeat in the October 21, 2019, federal election, during which the Liberal Party permitted his membership and candidacy despite the unresolved public controversy. Critics highlighted potential inconsistencies in the party's approach, noting faster expulsions in other allegation cases, while defenders invoked principles and the lack of corroborative evidence sufficient for dismissal or legal escalation. The absence of convictions or formal sanctions underscored empirical limits on the claims' substantiation beyond the internal review.

Broader Context and Criticisms

Hehr's resignation occurred amid the early wave of the #MeToo movement in Canadian politics, where public allegations via social media prompted swift political fallout without awaiting formal adjudication. On January 25, 2018, following tweets from former staffer Kristin Raworth detailing alleged inappropriate comments and advances during her 2015-2016 tenure, Hehr stepped down from his cabinet role as Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities, pending an independent investigation by employment lawyer Monique Métivier. This mirrored a pattern in 2018 where figures like Ontario Progressive Conservative leader Patrick Brown resigned hours after video allegations surfaced, highlighting a shift from pre-#MeToo norms where workplace interactions in high-pressure political environments often tolerated flirtatious or "brash" banter without immediate career-ending consequences. Critics from conservative-leaning outlets argued that such cases eroded the , treating unverified claims as sufficient for political exile, a standard not applied in criminal courts. columnist described the process as a "#MeToo " lacking protections like , noting Hehr's accusers' initial disclosures on bypassed traditional verification. In contrast, left-leaning commentary, such as in , contended that cabinet positions demanded for even perceived misconduct to maintain public trust, framing Hehr's prior "boorish comments" as indicative of deeper cultural issues in politics. CBC opinion pieces reinforced this by asserting that applies to courtrooms, not political , where allegations alone could justify removal to prioritize victim narratives in a post-#MeToo landscape. The investigation concluded in June 2018 without public findings, as Hehr cited laws protecting both parties, leading to further debate over opaque processes that shielded details while damaging reputations. No criminal charges ensued, yet the episode permanently tarnished Hehr's legacy as a trailblazing disabled , exemplifying how unsubstantiated claims could end ministerial careers despite a lack of proven guilt, a dynamic Hehr himself later described as prioritizing optics over evidence in public statements. This reflected broader tensions in Canadian institutions, where often amplified complainant perspectives—potentially influenced by progressive biases—while downplaying evidentiary thresholds, contrasting with calls from advocates for balancing accountability against false accusation risks.

Municipal Election Campaigns

2021 Mayoral Bid

On September 7, 2021, Kent Hehr announced his candidacy for mayor of Calgary, entering a crowded field ahead of the October 18 municipal election. He positioned himself as a "true progressive" candidate, drawing on his experience as a former Alberta MLA for Calgary-Buffalo (2008–2015) and federal MP for Calgary Centre (2015–2019), including his tenure as Minister of Veterans Affairs. Hehr emphasized the need for a unifying leader to address post-COVID economic challenges and foster a forward-looking vision for the city. Hehr's platform focused on equitable urban development, including opposition to and rejection of $287.5 million in public funding for a new arena, which he argued offered minimal economic return. Instead, he advocated redirecting such resources toward to alleviate pressures on residents amid rising costs. He also pledged commitment to a safe and respectful city, highlighting public safety as a core priority without detailing specific crime data or policies at the time of announcement. Hehr withdrew from the race on September 21, 2021, just two weeks after entering, citing sudden illness—suspected to be —and his elevated health risks stemming from a 1991 spinal cord injury that left him a quadriplegic. The withdrawal occurred before formal candidate polling or extensive campaigning, reducing the field to 28 contenders.

2025 Ward 8 Council Campaign

Kent Hehr announced his candidacy as an independent for City Council Ward 8 on an unspecified date prior to the nomination period, positioning himself as an experienced alternative to address local concerns in the inner-city southwest ward. His campaign emphasized public safety through proposals to increase the visible presence of police and peace officers integrated with community support teams in neighborhoods and on LRT lines, aiming to reduce while incorporating compassionate elements. He also highlighted job creation, particularly targeting , which had risen in to approximately 17-20% by mid-2025 amid broader economic pressures, by advocating for programs offering income, mentorship, and skills training to create up to 2,500 youth jobs. Hehr critiqued City Hall bureaucracy as inefficient and unresponsive, calling for a council focused on Ward 8 priorities like minimizing disruptions to small businesses during municipal projects and supporting economically viable local enterprises. In an August 30, 2025, , he argued against introducing to municipal , asserting that partisan models undermine fiscal independence and Calgarians' interests by prioritizing external influences over local needs. Campaign activities included knocking on over 50,000 doors, visiting every seniors' residence in the ward, and early-morning resident engagements, alongside leveraging for over 2 million views. Hehr faced five challengers in the October 20, 2025, election: Nathaniel Schmidt (independent), Cornelia Wiebe (Communities First), Gary Bobrovitz, Josie Kirkpatrick, and Miguel Cortines, all independents except Wiebe. Voters in Ward 8 prioritized issues like reducing visible street disorder and enhancing safety, as reported in pre-election surveys. Schmidt won with 8,806 votes (approximately 40% of the total), defeating Wiebe (7,754 votes) and Hehr (3,539 votes, about 16%), marking Hehr's third consecutive electoral loss following federal defeats in 2019 and a prior municipal bid. In a post-election statement on October 21, 2025, Hehr conceded, expressing commitment to ongoing political engagement despite the setback.

Electoral History

Provincial Elections

Kent Hehr first entered provincial politics by winning the Calgary-Buffalo riding in the on March 3, 2008, securing 4,583 votes as the Liberal candidate and defeating Progressive Conservative incumbent Jane Groeneveld. This victory marked a rare Liberal breakthrough in amid the Progressive Conservatives' overall majority win under Premier , with the PCs capturing 72 of 83 seats provincially; Hehr's success reflected localized voter dissatisfaction with the incumbent rather than a broader Liberal surge, as the party won only nine seats total.
PartyCandidateVotes%
LiberalKent Hehr4,583~48.8
Progressive ConservativeJane Groeneveld~3,900 (estimated based on margin)~41.5
Hehr was re-elected in the April 23, 2012 general election, retaining Calgary-Buffalo with 4,740 votes and 41.47% of the popular vote against Progressive Conservative challenger Jamie Lall, despite the PCs' continued dominance under Premier , who led the party to 61 seats. The slight increase in Hehr's absolute votes from indicated a modest Liberal uptick in the riding amid higher turnout, bucking the provincial trend where the PCs crushed the emerging Wildrose challenge.
PartyCandidateVotes%
LiberalKent Hehr4,74041.47
Progressive ConservativeJamie Lall~3,500 (second place)~30.6
Hehr did not contest further provincial elections after , vacating the seat in to pursue a successful federal bid in Centre.

Federal Elections

Kent Hehr first contested the federal riding of Centre as the Liberal candidate in the election, securing victory on October 19 amid a national Liberal wave that flipped several Conservative-held seats in urban . Hehr garnered 20,748 votes, representing 43.1% of the valid votes cast, defeating Conservative Joan Crockatt who received 18,866 votes (39.2%). in the riding was approximately 68%, aligning with Alberta's provincial average and reflecting heightened national interest in the contest between Stephen Harper's Conservatives and Justin Trudeau's Liberals. In the 2019 federal election held on October 21, Hehr sought re-election but lost to Conservative challenger Greg McLean, who captured 26,112 votes (48.3%) in a Conservative resurgence across ridings driven by provincial discontent with federal Liberal policies, including the carbon pricing framework perceived as burdensome to 's sector. Hehr obtained 18,916 votes (34.9%), a decline from his 2015 margin, with voter turnout in Centre falling to around 64%, consistent with broader trends amid regional alienation from .
Election YearCandidatePartyVotes%Position
2015Kent HehrLiberal20,74843.11st (Elected)
2015Joan CrockattConservative18,86639.22nd
2015Jeromy YangNDP8,47917.63rd
2019Greg McLeanConservative26,11248.31st (Elected)
2019Kent HehrLiberal18,91634.92nd
2019Jasmin GrayNDP6,92912.83rd

Municipal Elections

In the 2021 Calgary municipal election scheduled for October 18, Hehr declared his candidacy for mayor on September 7 but withdrew on September 21, citing a sudden illness that he suspected was , given his elevated health risks from quadriplegia. No votes were tabulated for him as nominations closed after his withdrawal. Hehr ran for councillor in Ward 8 during the October 20, 2025, Calgary municipal election but finished fourth out of six candidates, receiving 3,539 votes or 13.1% of the total. Independent candidate Nathaniel Schmidt won the seat with 8,806 votes (32.6%), followed by Cornelia Wiebe with 7,754 votes (28.7%) and Gary Bobrovitz with 4,871 votes (18.0%). Voter turnout across Calgary was 39.04%, reflecting historically low participation in municipal contests.
YearElectionPositionVotes%Outcome
2021Calgary municipalMayorWithdrew—Withdrew prior to vote; no ballots cast
2025Calgary municipalWard 8 councillor3,53913.1Defeated

Post-Political Activities

Following his defeat in the 2019 federal election, Kent Hehr resumed his legal career in , joining Goodfellow & Schuettlaw (GFSLaw) as counsel in September 2020. Hehr, called to the Alberta bar in 2002, had previously practiced at Fraser Milner Casgrain (now LLP) before entering provincial politics in 2008. At GFSLaw, Hehr serves as a strategic advisor, concentrating on general litigation, employment law, , construction development, and matters. His role draws on prior governmental experience in justice portfolios, including as Alberta's Minister of Justice and from 2011 to 2014, alongside advocacy for disability-related issues informed by his personal experience with . Public records do not highlight involvement in high-profile cases since re-entering private practice, indicating a focus on client advisory and litigation support rather than publicized proceedings. Hehr maintains this position as of 2025, providing steady private-sector engagement amid intermittent political pursuits. The firm, emphasizing and services, positions Hehr's expertise to assist clients in these sectors.

Public Commentary and Advocacy

Following his departure from federal politics in 2019, Kent Hehr has engaged in public commentary emphasizing the preservation of non-partisan municipal . In an op-ed published on August 30, 2025, in the , Hehr critiqued the inaugural introduction of political parties to Calgary's municipal elections, warning that partisan affiliations could prioritize external agendas over local needs, foster akin to Vancouver's 90-year party-dominated system, and enable backroom deals that undermine . He argued that Calgary's rapid expansion—as Canada's fastest-growing metropolitan area in 2024, per data—demands unified, independent decision-making on pressing issues including public safety, shortages, and maintenance, rather than division along party lines. Hehr advocated for voters to select non-partisan candidates capable of resisting provincial interference and maintaining direct responsiveness to residents, positioning municipal as essential for effective, pragmatic governance free from ideological constraints. This perspective aligned with broader surveys showing strong public opposition to municipal , as documented in provincial government polling. In parallel, Hehr has sustained for through personal narratives and roles, drawing on his experience with . On August 28, 2025, he publicly described an incident of being trapped in a van due to inadequate features during outreach, underscoring systemic barriers that isolate disabled individuals from participation. He maintains involvement with the Rotary Club of , serving as a mentor in educational initiatives like the Stay in School under District 5360, which supports at-risk youth—a program emphasizing practical skill-building over . These efforts reflect continuity from his pre-political but focus on engagement without pursuing new legislative changes.

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