Three takeaways after Poilievre wins Alberta by-election
As of 10:30 p.m. in Alberta, Mr. Poilievre had nearly 81 per cent share of the vote in the Conservative stronghold of Battle River-Crowfoot against 213 other candidates.
The sprawling Alberta riding was last won by Damien Kurek with nearly 82 per cent of the vote. Mr. Kurek had stepped aside in June to allow Mr. Poilievre to run for the seat. The Conservative Leader had lost the Ottawa-area riding of Carleton to Liberal political rookie Bruce Fanjoy in the April federal election, after holding representing it for decades.
Here are some takeaways from the by-election.
Though there wasn't much suspense as to the outcome of Monday's race, Mr. Poilievre found himself pitted against more than 200 candidates as part of an electoral-reform protest organized by a group known as the Longest Ballot Committee.
A bigger question heading into the vote was how much Mr. Poilievre would win the seat by. His win reaffirms Battle River-Crowfoot's status as one of the most reliably Conservative ridings.
Still, Mr. Poilievre had to fend off criticism painting him as a parachute candidate during the campaign. The by-election was also set against the backdrop of a growing Alberta separatist movement, with the rural riding itself home to such sentiments. (Mr. Poilievre, who was born and raised in Alberta, said he is opposed to separation.)
With a record number of candidates running, Elections Canada said voters would be provided with a write-in ballot at polling stations for the first time.
All eyes will be on Mr. Poilievre when he takes his seat as Leader of the Opposition – a title he couldn't hold after his election loss. Former Conservative leader Andrew Scheer was deputized to serve in the interim while Mr. Poilievre campaigned for the by-election.
Now that he has secured a seat in the House, Mr. Poilievre can finally go toe to toe with Mr. Carney on tariffs, housing and other economic issues during Question Period, after previously being forced to be a spectator.
His return is expected to coincide with that of Parliament, which will resume sitting on Sept. 15 after its summer recess.
Mr. Poilievre's by-election win doesn't guarantee he will lead his party in the next general election.
Conservative Party members will have a say in January, 2026, when he faces a leadership review at a convention in Calgary. The party's constitution states that 'delegates will vote by secret ballot if they wish to engage the leadership selection process' at the first national convention after an election it fails to win – if the leader doesn't resign.
A restive Conservative caucus could also put pressure on Mr. Poilievre to step aside if members feel he is no longer best placed to challenge Mr. Carney.
With reports from Emily Haws and Stephanie Levitz
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