Anders keeps Calgary West nomination

Longtime Conservative MP Rob Andershas held on tohis party's banner as theacclaimed candidate in Calgary West for the next federal election, despite a challenge in his own riding.

Support from two-thirds of a riding's membership was required through a mail-in ballot in order to trigger a nomination race in any constituency held by an incumbent, under new rules adopted by the Conservative Party of Canada in March. Anyone who didn't respond to the letter sent out by the party by April 30 was counted as a "No" vote.

Over the weekend, the party declared that all 143 of its incumbent MPs will automatically represent the federal Tories whenever the next federal election is held.

Donna Kennedy-Glans, who wants to challenge Anders for the Conservative ridingseat andis leadinga high-profile campaign to oust him, said the rules for the nomination process were flawed and undemocratic.

'I think democracy was served in this process. I believe that people across the country are tremendously happy with their members of Parliament and that includes Calgary West.' Don Plett, Conservative Party of Canada

She said she would have been surprised if any riding in the country met the two-thirds threshold, especially since some members didn't receive ballots, and forms were sent to deceased party members.

But Don Plett, president of the Conservative Party of Canada, dismissed the criticism, saying that the two-thirds rule was chosen because it's in line with other parts of the party's constitution.

"I think democracy was served in this process. I believe that people across the country are tremendously happy with their members of Parliament and that includes Calgary West," he told CBC News on Sunday.

Plett said if Kennedy-Glans were serious about change, she would get involved in the process and attend the next national convention where policy and rules are set.

Kennedy-Glans said she is not giving up her fight to replace Anders, who has been elected Calgary West's MPfive times.

"What I think has happened is the level of frustration that is felt in Calgary West and the level of anger and disgust is growing, and we're trying to constructively engage with that anger to turn it into something that people can work with," she said. "Just don't let up on the request to the party that you want a nomination contest in Calgary West."