Poilievre wins Alberta riding in by election

Poilievre is projected to win a by-election in Battle River Crowfoot, securing a seat after losing his Ottawa area seat in April.

Poilievre wins Alberta riding in by election

Pierre Poilievre is projected to win the Battle River Crowfoot by-election in Alberta, returning to the House of Commons after losing his Ottawa area seat in April. Preliminary results from Elections Canada show Poilievre leading with about 80 percent of votes in the rural riding, while final ballots are still being counted. The by-election was called in June after former Conservative MP Damian Kurek stepped aside to let Poilievre run. The contest drew a record 214 candidates, with many linked to a protest group seeking electoral reform, and some voters were asked to use a write in ballot because of the large field. Poilievre's projected win will allow him to attend the autumn sitting and strengthens the party's position in Parliament. Alberta has long been a Conservative stronghold, with Kurek winning the riding in the last general election by a large margin. Some locals expressed criticism, including independent candidate Bonnie Critchley, who argued the race was a step to advance Poilievre personally. Poilievre defended his approach, saying he canvassed like he was one vote behind and that he believes in humility and earning people's trust. The special election was sparked by Kurek's decision to step aside, and Poilievre now faces a mandatory leadership review in January at the party's national convention.

The win is a practical gain for Poilievre, giving him a seat and a platform as the party heads into a leadership review. It also highlights the tensions that can simmer beneath a local electoral success, including intra party concerns about strategy and messaging. The record breaking candidate field reflects broader dissatisfaction with politics and signals that by elections can become flashpoints for protest movements. If Poilievre can translate this local success into a durable mandate, he could push a disciplined policy agenda and strengthen party unity. If not, the leadership review could become a friction point that complicates the Conservatives' national positioning. The Alberta result suggests the durability of conservative support in western Canada, a factor opponents will watch as they plan how to frame federal strategy ahead of the next general election.

Highlights

The next moves will reveal whether a local victory can shape the broader national arc