Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre will run in a by-election in Alberta following the resignation of MP Damien Kurek in Battle River–Crowfoot.
“Although it will be hard to temporarily step away from this role, in this region I love and have always called home, the mandate given to me is one that clearly states that change is needed,” said Kurek in a statement on Friday.
“Offering this seat to our party leader is an important step in that process. I started my political career talking about the need for government to be held to account and to ensure that rural Canada wasn’t forgotten about, this is a key way to ensure that happens.”
Poilievre was defeated in his Carleton Ottawa-area riding in the recent federal general election, losing a seat that he had held since 2004. Liberal candidate Bruce Fanjoy edged out the party leader by a victory margin of 5 per cent, according to preliminary results from Elections Canada.
Under law, the leader of the Official Opposition must be a sitting MP, though that is not a requirement to serve as leader of the Conservative Party of Canada.
Kurek was first elected to Battle River-Crowfoot in 2019 and was re-elected in the recent general election with 81.8 per cent of the vote, per preliminary results from Elections Canada.
MP Damien Kurek announced on Friday that he would be stepping down to allow for Poilievre to run in the east-central Alberta riding in a by-election. Photo from damienkurek.ca
In a statement, Kurek stated that the support and commitment of residents in the riding to the Conservative movement “has been unmatched” and that the decision “is what’s best for Canada and is what’s best for Battle River-Crowfoot.”
Kurek mentioned that the move is temporary, adding that he intends to run again in the riding in the next general election.
“It is with humility and appreciation that I have accepted Damien Kurek’s offer to resign his seat in Battle River-Crowfoot,” stated Poilievre in a post to X on Friday.
Poilievre described Kurek’s decision as a “selfless act” and stated that he “will work to earn the trust of the good people of Battle River-Crowfoot.”
Battle River-Crowfoot election results since the riding was first contested in 2015 after being established. Political parties of the top three candidates shown during each general election. Data from Elections Canada. Graph by Milan Lukes
Since the east-central Alberta riding was created following the 2012 redrawing of federal riding boundaries, the Conservatives have consistently received over 70 per cent of the vote count in the riding.
Prime Minister Mark Carney stated on Friday during a news conference that he will ensure that a by-election “happens as soon as possible” if that is what the Conservatives want.
