A by-election has been called for August 18 in the rural Alberta riding of Battle River—Crowfoot, allowing Pierre Poilievre to seek a return to the House of Commons after losing his Carleton seat. The riding was vacated by Damien Kurek. While considered a safe Conservative seat, the decision to run there is seen as complicated by rising separatist sentiment in Alberta, fueled by the Liberal election win and Premier Danielle Smith's push for a citizen-initiated referendum on separation. Poilievre has stated his opposition to separation but faces pressure to address the issue.
Battle River—Crowfoot byelection called, giving Poilievre path back to House of Commons
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TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️A by-election has been called for August 18 in the rural Alberta riding of Battle River—Crowfoot, allowing Pierre Poilievre to seek a return to the House of Commons after losing his Carleton seat. The riding was vacated by Damien Kurek. While considered a safe Conservative seat, the decision to run there is seen as complicated by rising separatist sentiment in Alberta, fueled by the Liberal election win and Premier Danielle Smith's push for a citizen-initiated referendum on separation. Poilievre has stated his opposition to separation but faces pressure to address the issue.
Trending- 1 Earlier this month (June 2025): Damien Kurek resigned his seat
- 2 April 28, 2025: Poilievre lost his Carleton seat in the general election
- 3 May 13, 2025: Poilievre stated his opposition to separation
- 4 Last week (June 2025): Provincial by-election in Olds—Didsbury—Three Hills
- 5 June 30, 2025: The Canadian Press first published the story
- 6 August 18, 2025: Date set for Battle River—Crowfoot by-election
- 7 September 15, 2025: Parliament resumes sitting
- Poilievre has a path back to the House of Commons
- Increased focus on separatist sentiment in Alberta politics
- Potential for Poilievre to be drawn into the separation debate
- Residents of Trochu casting their third set of ballots in five months
What: A by-election has been called in the Battle River—Crowfoot riding in Alberta, allowing Pierre Poilievre to run for a seat in the House of Commons. The decision is complicated by rising separatist sentiment in Alberta.
When: By-election date set for August 18, 2025. Damien Kurek resigned earlier this month (June 2025). Poilievre lost his seat in the April 28 election. Parliament resumes sitting on September 15.
Where: Battle River—Crowfoot riding, Alberta, Canada, including communities like Drumheller, Wainwright, Camrose, Trochu, and a large chunk of the Alberta-Saskatchewan border. Also mentions Ottawa and Olds—Didsbury—Three Hills.
Why: Pierre Poilievre needs to return to the House of Commons after losing his previous seat. The by-election is in a safe Conservative riding, but the rising separatist sentiment in Alberta makes it a politically sensitive choice.
How: Prime Minister Mark Carney set the by-election date. Poilievre is campaigning in the riding. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's government introduced a bill for citizen-initiated referendums, and groups like the Alberta Prosperity Project are pushing for a separation referendum, which adds pressure to Poilievre's campaign.