Alberta MP to step aside to allow Pierre Poilievre to run for seat in Parliament
Advertisement
Read this article for free:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
We need your support!
Local journalism needs your support!
As we navigate through unprecedented times, our journalists are working harder than ever to bring you the latest local updates to keep you safe and informed.
Now, more than ever, we need your support.
Starting at $15.99 plus taxes every four weeks you can access your Brandon Sun online and full access to all content as it appears on our website.
Subscribe Nowor call circulation directly at (204) 727-0527.
Your pledge helps to ensure we provide the news that matters most to your community!
To continue reading, please subscribe:
Add Brandon Sun access to your Free Press subscription for only an additional
$1 for the first 4 weeks*
*Your next subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $20.00 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $24.00 plus GST every four weeks.
Read unlimited articles for free today:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 02/05/2025 (328 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
OTTAWA – Conservative MP Damien Kurek is set to step aside to allow Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre to run in a byelection in the Battle River—Crowfoot riding in Alberta.
Kurek said he is stepping aside “temporarily” as MP for the riding, which he has held since 2019.
The Conservative party confirmed that Poilievre will run in the Battle River—Crowfoot byelection once it’s called.
Poilievre said that he accepts Kurek’s impending resignation with “humility and appreciation” in a post on the social media site X. “Damien’s selfless act to step aside temporarily as a member of Parliament shows his commitment to change and restoring Canada’s promise,” Poilievre wrote.
This is Poilievre’s first public comment since he lost his riding early Tuesday morning.
A party spokesperson said Kurek will need to be sworn in as a MP before he resigns his seat.
Kurek said he plans to seek re-election in the riding in the next general election.
“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. Offering this seat to our party leader is an important step in that process,” Kurek said in a media statement.
Just before Kurek’s announcement, Prime Minister Mark Carney said he would call a byelection “as soon as possible” once the Conservatives have a member resign their seat so that Poilievre can run again.
Poilievre lost the Carleton riding to Liberal Bruce Fanjoy in the general election. He was first elected in 2004 and has won in the suburban Ottawa riding six subsequent times over the last 21 years.
The earliest a byelection could be called is 11 days after Kurek’s resignation. The campaign period needs to be at least 36 days.
This means Poilievre could return to the House of Commons on the first day of the fall sitting, set for Sept. 15.
Kurek won the riding with nearly 82 per cent of the vote, one of the largest margins of victory for any riding in the country.
Who might be party leader in the meantime, however, remains to be seen.
Conservative MP Andrew Scheer confirmed on Friday to CBC News the party will have a caucus meeting on Tuesday.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 2, 2025.