Canada's Conservative leader, Pierre Poilievre, is projected to reclaim a significant seat in Parliament following a decisive victory in a by-election held in Alberta's Battle River-Crowfoot. With votes still being tallied, preliminary results from the electoral commission indicate Poilievre is leading with an impressive 80.4%. The moment marks a comeback for Poilievre, who lost his former Ottawa-area seat in the recent general election.
Speaking enthusiastically to a captivated audience on Monday, Poilievre expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to connect with local residents. His anticipated win comes four months after a loss to Liberal candidate Bruce Fanjoy in the previous election cycle. This by-election proved particularly challenging for Poilievre, as he competed against a record 214 candidates, many linked to an electoral reform protest group.
The election was triggered by former Conservative MP Damian Kurek stepping down to allow Poilievre to run. In his victory speech, Poilievre acknowledged Kurek's contribution, describing it as a "gracious sacrifice." The riding has historically favored Conservative candidates, with previous MP Kurek securing 83% of the votes during his last election, and candidates commonly achieving at least 70%.
Despite his projected success, Poilievre faced criticism from independent candidate Bonnie Critchley, who accused him of pursuing the seat for ulterior motives. In response, Poilievre maintained that he approached the race with humility and dedication, canvassing as if he were "one vote behind."
Looking ahead, the Conservative leader must prepare for a leadership review scheduled for January, where party members will decide on his future at the upcoming national convention.
