Conservative Damien Kurek says he’ll step aside for Poilievre — but by law he has to wait
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is making a strategic move to secure a new seat in Alberta, after losing his longtime Ottawa-area riding in the recent general election. Poilievre has set his sights on the Battle River-Crowfoot riding, a safe Conservative stronghold currently held by MP Damien Kurek.
Kurek announced on Friday that he will step aside to allow Poilievre to run in the riding. However, due to parliamentary rules, Kurek must wait at least 30 days before officially resigning. This waiting period is mandated by the Canada Elections Act and is designed to allow for any challenges or contestations to the election results.
Once the 30-day period has passed, the Speaker of the House of Commons will inform the chief electoral officer that the seat is vacant. The Governor General will then set a date for a byelection, which can occur between 11 and 180 days after the MP resigns.
Prime Minister Mark Carney has indicated that he will expedite the process to ensure that the byelection takes place as soon as possible. This could mean that Poilievre will be back in the House of Commons and leading the Opposition against the government in the fall sitting.
Poilievre, who lost his Carleton seat to a Liberal candidate in the recent election, has expressed gratitude for Kurek’s selfless decision to step aside. He has already visited the Battle River-Crowfoot riding, meeting with Kurek’s family and team.
This move is not unprecedented in Canadian politics. Past party leaders, such as Brian Mulroney and Jean Chrétien, have had MPs step aside to allow them to run in safe ridings. These strategic moves have helped leaders secure seats and lead their parties effectively.
Overall, Poilievre’s decision to seek a new seat in Alberta demonstrates his commitment to continuing his leadership role within the Conservative Party. As he navigates the process of securing a new riding and facing off against the government in the House of Commons, all eyes will be on him to see how he leads the Opposition in the coming months.
