Conservatives must find middle ground between West, urban ridings in East: political scientist [Video]

The Conservatives again dominated federal election ridings in Saskatchewan and Alberta, but it wasn’t enough to form government.

Justin Leifso, an assistant professor in political studies at the University of Victoria, says rumblings of western alienation will continue because of the result.

Leifso said westerners must face the fact that if Conservatives are to form government, they must also appeal to urban voters in Ontario and Quebec.

“Are [voters in Saskatchewan and Alberta] going to keep parking our political interests with a party that is so focused on grievance?” Leifso, who grew up in Moose Jaw, Sask., asked Tuesday on CBC Saskatchewan’s The Morning Edition.

“Or are we OK with a party trying to broaden its scope in terms of getting enough seats to form government?”

Liberal candidate Buckley Belanger is projected to win Desnethé-Missinippi-Churchill …