In a recent video promoting his planned path back to an elected seat in Parliament, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre pledged to “learn and grow” from his election loss last week.
Poilievre also lost his Carleton seat to Liberal candidate Bruce Fanjoy, who won with 50.8 per cent of the vote. Poilievre received 45.83 per cent. He had held the Carleton riding as a Member of Parliament since he was first elected in 2004.
While Poilievre acknowledged that the election “didn’t go how we wanted,” he stressed the importance of getting back up to “get going.”
“We’ve got a lot to be thankful for,” he said. “I’m thankful for you, the countless people who packed out our rally halls. Our 2.3 million extra votes. The 25 extra seats. The breakthroughs in Ontario and B.C. The expanded coalition of young people, union workers, entrepreneurs, soldiers and countless others who had never voted before.”
Poilievre said that he would need to “learn and grow” in the wake of his support not being enough to “get across the finish line” and that he intends to “expand” the Conservative team but that the party’s “mission hasn’t changed.”
“I still want to put you back in charge of your life,” he said. “Give everyone who works hard a fair shot, an affordable home.”
Poilievre said that he has a “path” to get elected back into Parliament as soon as possible to hold the government to account by “proposing better ideas” to solve Canadians’ problems.
Prime Minister-elect Mark Carney must formally call a by-election to allow Poilievre to run, something Carney has confirmed he will do at the earliest opportunity.
Conservative Damien Kurek announced he will step down as MP for Battle River–Crowfoot to allow Poilievre to run in a by-election.
Kurek was re-elected with nearly 80 per cent of the vote.
“It has been a tremendous honour to serve the good people of Battle River–Crowfoot as their Member of Parliament since 2019,” Kurek said in a statement on Friday. “Their support and commitment to the Conservative movement has been unmatched.”
Citing the need for strong leadership in the House of Commons, Kurek said he believes it is in the best interest of his constituents and the country to allow Poilievre a path back into Parliament.
“I know we need Pierre fighting in the House of Commons to hold the Liberal minority government to account,” said Kurek. “This is what’s best for Canada, and is what’s best for Battle River–Crowfoot.”
Kurek also pointed to the party’s strong national showing under Poilievre, noting that the Conservatives earned their highest share of the popular vote since 1988 under Brian Mulroney.
“The people of Battle River–Crowfoot will be represented well by Pierre for the remainder of this Parliamentary session,” Kurek said. “I will keep working with our incredible local team… and then run again here in the next general election.”