The Conservative Party of Canada has officially announced that Pierre Poilievre will not be a candidate in the Battle River-Crowfoot riding during the upcoming federal election. Following his defeat in the Carleton riding in the April federal election, where Liberal candidate Bruce Fanjoy emerged victorious, the party confirmed that Damien Kurek, the former representative of Battle River-Crowfoot, will once again contest in the riding.
Last year, Kurek stepped down from his position to allow Poilievre to run in a by-election. When asked about Poilievre’s potential candidacy in the next election, the CPC did not provide any answers. The party also stated via email that Kurek’s nomination is assured, as the CPC’s National Council has approved a motion exempting him from the formal nomination process.
Battle River-Crowfoot has traditionally been a conservative stronghold and includes municipalities such as Camrose, Drumheller, and Wainwright. Poilievre secured a resounding victory in a previous byelection, capturing over 80% of the votes cast. The byelection held last year saw a record-breaking 214 candidates, marking the highest number of candidates on a federal ballot in Canadian history.