Battle River-Crowfoot MP Damien Kurek to resign to allow Pierre Poilievre to run in his place

May 2, 2025 | 11:25 AM

OTTAWA – Conservative MP Damien Kurek is set to step aside to allow Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre to run in a byelection in the Battle RiverCrowfoot riding in Alberta.

Kurek says he is “temporarily” stepping aside as MP for the riding, which he has held since 2019.

The Conservative party confirms that Poilievre will run in the Battle RiverCrowfoot byelection once it’s called.

A party spokesperson says Kurek will need to be sworn in as a MP before he resigns his seat.

Just before Kurek’s announcement, Prime Minister Mark Carney said he would call a byelection “as soon as possible” if the Conservatives had a member resign their seat so that Poilievre could run again.

It is with humility and appreciation that I have accepted Damien Kurek’s offer to resign his seat in Battle River-Crowfoot so that I can work to earn the support of citizens there to serve them in Parliament.

Damien’s selfless act to step aside temporarily as a Member of…

— Pierre Poilievre (@PierrePoilievre) May 2, 2025

Kurek won the riding with nearly 82 per cent of the vote and Poilievre lost his seat in the riding of Carleton that he held since 2004.

by The Canadian Press