Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre will run in Kurek’s riding of Battle River-Crowfoot
Damien Kurek is no longer the MP for the Alberta riding of Battle River-Crowfoot.
He announced his resignation on social media on June 17.
“Today, I sent a letter to the Speaker of the House of Commons informing him of my resignation at the end of the day as the Member of Parliament for Battle River-Crowfoot,” he said. “It has been nothing short of a privilege to serve and be a rural Alberta voice in Parliament.”
Kurek’s message also indicates he will run again in the next federal election.
His stepping aside officially opens the door for Pierre Poilievre’s return to the House of Commons.
The Conservative leader will run in a byelection in the Alberta riding after losing his Carleton riding in April’s federal election.
Without a seat, Poilievre cannot fulfill his duties as opposition leader. Andrew Scheer is handling those responsibilities in the interim.
In a response to Kurek’s post, Poilievre thanked him for his “gracious act of service,” and committed to earning the trust of the people in Battle River-Crowfoot.
By law, Kurek couldn’t submit his resignation until 30 days after the election result was published in the Canada Gazette.
That happened on May 15.
Byelection responsibilities now shift to the governor general.
Mary Simon must issue a writ between 11 and 180 days after Speaker informs the chief electoral officer of Kurek’s vacancy.
Once that step takes place, the byelection must take place on a Monday between 36 and 51 days later.
This means a byelection could occur as soon as early August.
One candidate is registered to run against Poilievre.
Jonathan Bridges is running as the candidate for the People’s Party of Canada.
He ran in the recent federal election, finishing fourth with 1,022 votes, or 1.6 per cent of the riding’s support.
Canada had 11 byelections in the 44th Parliament.
Of those only three resulted in party changes.
The voters in Toronto-St. Paul’s chose Conservative Don Stewart after Liberal Carolyn Bennett resigned.
Constituents of LaSalle—Émard—Verdun elected Louis-Philippe Sauvé after Liberal David Lametti resigned.
And voters in Cloverdale—Langley City in B.C. chose Conservative Tamara Jansen after Liberal John Aldag resigned.