Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has won the byelection in Battle River–Crowfoot, securing his place in the House of Commons just months after losing his Ontario seat.
Poilievre received more than 80 per cent of the vote in the rural Alberta riding, considered one of the safest Conservative seats in the country. The seat was vacated after Conservative Damien Kurek stepped aside earlier this year.
Speaking at a victory party in Camrose, Poilievre said, “Getting to know the people in this region has been the privilege of my life. In fact, I’ve had a hell of a lot of fun.”
The byelection drew national attention after a record 214 candidates were on the ballot, most linked to the Longest Ballot Committee, a protest group calling for electoral reform. Because of the record numbers, voters had to write in the name of their chosen candidate, using a 32-page booklet at voting stations for reference.
Political observers said Poilievre needed a decisive win ahead of a party leadership review in January.
Independent candidate Bonnie Critchley was a distant second, while the Liberals, NDP, and Libertarian Party also fielded candidates.
