‘An unusual choice’: Battle River-Crowfoot’s MP will step aside to let Poilievre take a run at the riding

Pierre Poilievre has found a safe place to regain a seat in the House of Commons. An MP is stepping aside in the Alberta riding of Battle River-Crowfoot.

Pierre Poilievre has found a safe place to regain a seat in the House of Commons.

The Conservative leader was turfed by voters in an Ottawa-area riding on Monday night.

Now, an MP is stepping aside in the Alberta riding of Battle River-Crowfoot to let Poilievre run.

Heather Colberg, the mayor of Drumheller, lauded Damien Kurek’s selflessness to step aside for Poilievre.

“He has been remarkable for our community. He works hard and works hard for Albertans,” said Colberg.

“(Poilievre) understands rural Alberta and I think that’s the biggest thing for us is just continuing to have somebody that believes and understands the rural communities.

“We’re obviously honoured … if the leader of the party takes this area.”

Residents in town CTV News spoke with were excited at the prospect of Poilievre representing them and say issues they want him to focus on are housing and helping to boost the tourism industry.

Kurek took nearly 82 per cent of the vote in the riding, making it a safe riding for Poilievre to run in, according to one political scientist.

“A bit odd to have somebody who’s sort of just representing so they can have a seat—so they can have a place in Parliament—and not really be connected to the folks,” said Mount Royal University political scientist Lori Williams.

Williams says Kurek will act as a liaison “of some sort” for people in the riding, while Poilievre occupies a seat in the House of Commons.

“I think it’s the kind of thing that might annoy some people,” said Williams.

“It’s just an unusual arrangement.”

The mostly rural riding has a few urban centres but covers a lot of land extending from north of Medicine Hat to north of Camrose while occupying the boundary of the Saskatchewan border.

“An unusual choice for someone who is wanting to win a seat and has an obligation to represent the people in that riding, because it takes a lot of time to travel around such a large riding,” said Williams.

“I think the choice of this riding doesn’t signal the kind of strength that I was expecting.”

Friday on X, Poilievre posted about the decision:

“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,” he wrote.

“Damien’s selfless act to step aside temporarily as a Member of Parliament shows his commitment to change and restoring Canada’s promise.

“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.”

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith also posted to X in response:

“This is great news and it will be a beautiful homecoming moment for Conservative Party Leader @PierrePoilievre,” she wrote.

“His campaign deeply resonated with the people of Alberta and I am sure the more than one million Albertans who voted for his party are excited to welcome him back home.

“And I want to thank MP-elect @dckurek for his selfless devotion to fostering Canada’s conservative movement.”

With files from Damien Wood