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In June of 1968, Pat Mahoney persuaded 47 per cent of the residents of Calgary South to choose him as their MP during Pierre Trudeaus first election. Since then, no federal Liberal has won an election in the heart of conservative Canada.

Forty-seven years later, a Liberal Party being led by another Trudeau contesting his first election at the helm is adamant that the long drought is coming to an end.

Calgarians deserve much better from their representatives, Justin Trudeau said on Thursday as he introduced his partys candidates to a packed hall in downtown Calgary.

As Mr. Trudeau rallies voters in southern Alberta, Liberal organizers boast that the partys current slate of candidates in the province is one of the strongest it has ever fielded. At the centre of their hopes of breaking the partys losing streak is Kent Hehr.

A popular Liberal MLA, the 45-year-old is running in the Calgary Centre riding that covers most of the citys downtown.

I feel nothing but support wherever I go. Its going to happen, Mr. Hehr said of a win for the Liberals. And itll just be a reflection of the way the demographics have changed in Calgary Centre. Its a Liberal riding, and now theyve got someone to vote for.

The riding overlaps the constituency Mr. Hehr has represented in the provincial legislature since 2008.

The day after introducing some of his candidates, Mr. Trudeau delivered a speech at the Calgary Petroleum Club that was interrupted by standing ovations. The private club caters to the citys oil elite, a group that has a turbulent history with the Liberals and the Trudeau family.

Im the Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada, my last name is Trudeau and Im standing here at the Petroleum Club in Calgary. I understand how energy issues can divide the country, Mr. Trudeau said, alluding to unpopular energy policies implemented by prime minister Pierre Trudeau.

Unlike some of his predecessors, Justin Trudeau has had a consistent presence in Calgary. While locals remember snubs by former prime ministers Jean Chrtien and Paul Martin during past elections, Mr. Trudeau made Albertas largest city the first stop during his leadership campaign.

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Federal Liberals hope changing Calgary demographics will break dry spell