In a notable political comeback, Canada's Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre is projected to secure a vital seat in Parliament after prevailing in a by-election in Alberta's Battle River-Crowfoot riding. With ballots still being counted, early results from Canada’s electoral commission indicate Poilievre has garnered an astonishing 80.4% of the votes. Addressing an enthusiastic audience, he emphasized, "Getting to know the people in this region has been the privilege of my life."
This victory marks a critical moment for Poilievre, who suffered defeat in the last federal election, losing his long-held Ottawa-area seat to Liberal candidate Bruce Fanjoy. The by-election, previously announced in June following former Conservative MP Damian Kurek's decision to step back, faced unique challenges, including a record 214 candidates, many affiliated with a protest group pushing for electoral reforms. Voters were compelled to use a write-in ballot due to the unusually high number of candidates.
Despite securing a strong lead in a traditionally Conservative area—where Kurek once won with 83% of the vote—Poilievre's campaign was not without controversy. Independent candidate Bonnie Critchley charged him with exploiting the riding as "nothing more than a means to an end." In response, Poilievre shared his commitment to earning voters' trust, stating, “I believe in humility and earning people's trust,” as he actively engaged with constituents throughout his campaign.
Now, with his path back to the House of Commons for the autumn sitting secure, Poilievre braces for a leadership review in January, where Conservative members will decide his future as the party leader during their national convention.
