Canada's Conservative leader, Pierre Poilievre, is projected to claim a vital by-election victory in Alberta, which would help him regain a seat in Parliament following his loss in the last general election. With the final vote counts underway, Poilievre is leading the race with an impressive 80.4% in the rural riding of Battle River-Crowfoot, as reported by Canada's electoral commission. During his speech to a delighted audience on Monday, he expressed gratitude for the opportunity to connect with the local community.
This anticipated win follows four months after the Liberal party, led by Mark Carney, defeated Poilievre’s Conservatives and resulted in his loss of a two-decade-held Ottawa area seat to Liberal representative Bruce Fanjoy. The by-election saw Poilievre contend with a record number of 214 candidates, many aligned with a protest group advocating for electoral reform. This group has previously targeted Poilievre during a campaign. Voters were provided with write-in ballots due to the unusual number of candidates.
Poilievre’s expected success will facilitate his return to the House of Commons for the autumn session after his April setback. The special by-election was initiated in June after former Conservative MP Damian Kurek vacated his position to enable Poilievre's candidacy. Praising Kurek for his "gracious sacrifice" in his victory address, Poilievre reaffirmed his commitment to the constituency, despite receiving criticism from locals such as independent candidate Bonnie Critchley.
In response, Poilievre emphasized that he campaigned with the resolve of being "one vote behind," highlighting his belief in humility and trust-building. As he prepares for a pivotal leadership review in January, where party members will decide his fate as leader at the national convention, this projected win is a significant step in bolstering his political standing.
