Conservative Leader Poilievre Wins Alberta By-Election Returns to Parliament

Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre has secured a decisive victory in the Alberta by-election for the Battle River–Crowfoot riding, winning approximately 80.1% of the vote and returning to the Canadian House of Commons after losing his longtime Ottawa-area seat in April's general election. The by-election, triggered by the resignation of Conservative MP Damien Kurek, featured a record 214 candidates as part of a protest against Canada's first-past-the-post voting system, necessitating write-in ballots. Poilievre campaigned extensively in the rural riding, emphasizing humility and earning trust, despite some local criticism. His return to Parliament allows him to resume his role as Leader of the Official Opposition and prepare for the upcoming fall sitting, where he will face Prime Minister Mark Carney directly. The by-election win is seen as a crucial step for Poilievre and the Conservative Party following their recent national defeat. With a strong base in Alberta, Poilievre’s victory reinforces his political standing ahead of a leadership review and parliamentary sessions starting September 15.