Setting the Scene: Poilievre Onward in Battle River-Crowfoot
Enthusiastic small-town mayors looking forward to Pierre Poilievre contesting in rural Alberta's electoral district.
In the expansive plains of central Alberta, wheat fields sway in the breeze, dinosaur fossils lie buried beneath the earth, and Nickelback's iconic tunes echo through the airwaves.
This Conservative-loving corner of the world is about to witness a political shift.
After a crushing defeat in the federal election, the Conservative Party's crown jewel, Pierre Poilievre, will make a play for Parliament in the newly-dubbed Battle River-Crowfoot—a stark change from his former stomping ground in Ottawa. The tartan carpet has been rolled up, and the cowboy boots are polished, as he sets his sights on this safe Conservative seat.
The riding's outgoing representative, three-term MP Damien Kurek, has stepped aside to make room for Poilievre in the by-election this year. Kurek, who won the avalanche election with an 82% victory, saw Poilievre's need for a seat and acted as a gracious altruist, forgoing his fourth term to further the Conservative Party's cause.
Poilievre's loss in the Ottawa-area riding of Carleton to Liberal candidate Bruce Fanjoy was for many, surely a wake-up call. But for Poilievre, it was an opportunity to return to his roots. Before his political foray into the capital, he attended high school in Calgary's southwest and graduated from the University of Calgary. The Prairie landscape beckoned, and he answered the call.
The locals of Battle River-Crowfoot know Poilievre by name, but little else. As the relative newcomer, Mayor Danny Povaschuk of Hanna, home of hockey legend Lanny McDonald and rock legends Nickelback, harbors mixed feelings about Poilievre. Time will tell if his presence in the riding will foster high-profile politics or elite representation.
Looking back, Damien Kurek's departure will indeed be a loss. According to Wainwright Mayor Bruce Pugh, working alongside Kurek proved fruitful. But, as the leader of His Majesty's Opposition, Pugh doesn't expect or accept any less representation from Poilievre.
The Battle River-Crowfoot riding is a vast expanse, encompassing over 53,000 square kilometers, larger than both Switzerland and the Netherlands. With approximately 110,000 inhabitants, it boasts a population density of roughly two people per square kilometer—leaving plenty of room for Poilievre to make his mark.
Upsetting the status quo in the quiet riding hasn't gone unnoticed. Drumheller's Mayor Heather Colberg suspects Poilievre will revitalize the region with his presence, likening the process to hatching a dinosaur egg. With Poilievre being born and raised in Calgary, she believes he'll have a keen understanding of the rural Alberta mindset.
Camrose, the riding's largest community, boasts approximately 20,000 residents. Its Mayor PJ Stasko commends Kurek for his efforts in Parliament and hopes that Poilievre will similarly strive to represent the riding as expected. To earn trust, Stasko suggests Poilievre should participate in community events and take part in local celebrations, like Hanna's Canada Day parade or the Hand Hills Lake Stampede.
As Poilievre embarks upon his latest political adventure, questions about his commitment to the riding remains. Povaschuk recalls that insufficient dedication could have been what cost Poilievre in his Ottawa riding, suggesting that his parliamentary responsibilities may pose a challenge.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
- With files from Bill Graveland in Calgary and Aaron Sousa in Edmonton.
- In Canada, the province of Alberta is home to Battle River-Crowfoot, a riding that spans over 53,000 square kilometers, larger than both Switzerland and the Netherlands.
- This conservative-leaning district, with a population density of roughly two people per square kilometer, is about to see a change with the upcoming by-election.
- Pierre Poilievre, a well-known figure in the Conservative Party, will be contesting the seat previously held by Damien Kurek.
- Kurek, who secured an impressive 82% victory in the last election, stepped aside to make way for Poilievre.
- Poilievre, born and raised in Calgary, graduated from the University of Calgary and has strong roots in the Prairie landscape.
- The residents of Battle River-Crowfoot are familiar with Poilievre's name, but his political stance remains unclear to many.
- The Mayor of Hanna, a town known for hockey legend Lanny McDonald and rock band Nickelback, has mixed feelings about Poilievre.
- Damien Kurek's departure from the political scene will likely be felt, with Wainwright Mayor Bruce Pugh expressing sadness over the loss of a collaborative colleague.
- Poilievre's task ahead is significant, given the vast expanse of the riding, which stretches from Dinosaaur Provincial Park tothe farming communities along the Battle River.
- Drumheller's Mayor Heather Colberg believes that Poilievre's presence in Battle River-Crowfoot will invigorate the region, much like the hatching of a dinosaur egg.
- Camrose, the largest community in the riding, has approximately 20,000 residents and will be closely watching Poilievre's commitmentto the community.
- To build trust, Mayor PJ Stasko of Camrose suggests that Poilievre should participate in local events such as the Canada Day parade and the Hand Hills Lake Stampede.
- Some may question Poilievre's dedication, with Mayor Danny Povaschuk hinting that insufficient devotion may have contributed to Poilievre's defeat in his previous Ottawa riding.
- Following the political shift in Battle River-Crowfoot, time will tell whether Poilievre's presence will usher in high-profile politics or eloquent representation.
- Given Kurek's achievements in Parliament, Pugh, the Mayor of Camrose, expects nothing less from Poilievre as the new leader of His Majesty's Opposition.
- As Poilievre prepares for his political battle in Battle River-Crowfoot, the community will be monitoring his approach to policy and legislation.
- Poilievre's commitment to education and self-development, including personal growth, mindfulness, and skills training, will be under scrutiny.18.ムルサルの場合、ポイリエヴルは自動販売場所やカルサイクルのようなローカルバーの熱点にも取り締まれなければなりません。
- The riding's diverse landscape, including oilfields, cattle ranches, and tourism hotspots, presents the opportunity for Poilievre to address a range of issues, including war and conflicts, car accidents, crime and justice, and weather-related disasters.
- As Poilievre navigates the political landscape of Battle River-Crowfoot, concerns about his capacity to effectively manage online education, job-search assistance, and access to general news will arise.
- Poilievre's ability to balance the needs of the rural communities with those of the urban centers, such as Toronto and Vancouver, will also be a key factor in his success.
- On a more positive note, Poilievre's focus on career development, productivity, and learning opportunities could prove beneficial for the continued growth of the community.
- Poilievre's strategic approach to sports policy and his keen understanding of the value of sports such as football (NFL and CFL), basketball (WNBA and NBA), baseball, hockey, golf, tennis, and mixed martial arts could help revitalize the community's sports scene.
- The potential for sports betting and its impact on the community will also be a topic of interest as Poilievre sets his sights on the Battle River-Crowfoot seat.
- Progressive issues like migration and the LGBTQ2+ community, as well as the ongoing residential schools issue, will be important factors for voters to consider when casting their ballots.
- The community's ongoing civic engagement, including participation in sports, community events, and volunteer activities, will be crucial in shaping Battle River-Crowfoot's future.
- Aside from politics, the community will continue to prioritize goal-setting, lifelong learning, and the pursuit of happiness, with a strong emphasis on warmth and generosity - values that reflect the true essence of Canadian hospitality.
