Alberta MP Damien Kurek stepping down for Poilievre to run in byelection
OTTAWA — Seatless Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre will run in an Alberta byelection as Conservative MP Damien Kurek “temporarily” steps aside.
“It is with humility and appreciation that I have accepted Damien Kurek’s offer to resign his seat in Battle River-Crowfoot so that I can work to earn the support of citizens there to serve them in Parliament,” Poilievre wrote on social media, calling Kurek “selfless”.
“I will work to earn the trust of the good people of Battle River—Crowfoot and I will continue to hold the Liberal minority government to account until the next federal election, when we will bring real change to all Canadians,” he added.
In a press release, Kurek, the
Battle River—Crowfoot
MP-elect, said he was relinquishing his seat for Poilievre because it’s “what’s best for Canada” and the riding. Kurek was first elected in the Alberta riding in 2019.
The Conservative leader’s brief statement did not mention his previous riding of Carleton, which he lost to the Liberals by over 4,000 votes in Monday’s election. Kurek, on the other hand, won his riding handily with nearly 82 per cent of the vote.
“The people of Battle River—Crowfoot will be represented well by Pierre for the remainder of this Parliamentary session, and I will keep working with our incredible local team to do everything I can to remain the strong voice for you as I support him in the process, and then run again here in Battle River—Crowfoot in the next general election,” Kurek said in a statement.
At a press conference in Ottawa on Friday, Prime Minister Mark Carney said he would call a byelection as soon as possible and that the government would play “no games” with Poilievre’s quest to win a seat.
The prime minister could theoretically wait six months after an MP resigns before calling a byelection, which would keep Poilievre out of the House Commons until nearly the end of the year, but Carney said that wasn’t on the table.
“I’ve already indicated to Mr. Poilievre that if it’s the decision of him and the Conservative Party to trigger… a byelection, I will ensure that it happens as soon as possible. No games, nothing,” Carney said Friday.
Poilievre has been unusually quiet since his party failed in its bid to form government and he surprisingly lost his seat on Monday. He has not made a public appearance and only posted once on social media since his concession speech early Tuesday morning.
The fact Kurek intends to run again in Battle River—Crowfoot suggests Poilievre may intend to run again in his longtime Ottawa-area riding of Carleton in the next general election.
Poilievre was first elected in Carleton in 2004 and held the seat until his surprising defeat to Liberal Bruce Fanjoy on Monday.
National Post
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