Poilievre to run for Alberta seat after MP Damien Kurek agrees to step down

Conservative MP Damien Kurek has made the selfless decision to resign his Alberta seat of Battle River-Crowfoot in order to pave the way for Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre to run in an upcoming byelection. Kurek, who first won the seat in 2019 and was re-elected with an overwhelming majority in Monday’s election, stated that the mandate given to him clearly indicates the need for change in the region.

In a statement on Friday, Kurek expressed his love for the region and his willingness to step away temporarily from his role in order to offer the seat to the party leader. Poilievre, in response to Kurek’s gesture, expressed his gratitude and commitment to earning the support of the citizens in Battle River-Crowfoot to serve them in Parliament.

Prime Minister Mark Carney has also pledged to call the byelection as soon as possible to allow Poilievre the opportunity to swiftly return to the House of Commons. Poilievre recently lost his long-held Ottawa-area seat to Liberal candidate Bruce Fanjoy, prompting the need for a new seat in Parliament.

When Parliament reconvenes, Carney will find himself four seats short of a majority, necessitating support from other parties to pass legislation. Despite speculation about forming a governing pact with the NDP, Carney clarified that there will be no such agreement. He emphasized the strength of his mandate, citing the highest number of votes in Canadian history and a majority of seats in seven provinces.

The relationship between the Liberals and the NDP in the previous Parliament, which included commitments on NDP priorities such as pharmacare and dental care in exchange for support on confidence votes, will not be replicated in the current government. Carney emphasized the need for collaboration with all provinces, Indigenous Peoples, and opposition parties in order to address the country’s challenges effectively.

In conclusion, Kurek’s decision to resign his seat for Poilievre, coupled with Carney’s commitment to holding a byelection promptly, reflects the dynamics of Canadian politics as parties navigate the post-election landscape. The focus remains on building partnerships and working together to address the pressing issues facing the country.