Latest news with #BattleRiver
National Post
5 days ago
- Politics
- National Post
Federal byelection in Alberta draws more than 14,000 early voters
OTTAWA — More than 14,000 people cast their ballots early in the Battle River—Crowfoot byelection, Elections Canada says. Article content Elections Canada says an estimated 14,452 voters made their way to the advance polls. Article content Article content Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is running in Battle River—Crowfoot after losing his Ottawa-area seat in the April election to Liberal Bruce Fanjoy. Article content Article content Damien Kurek resigned his seat in the riding after winning more than 82 per cent support in the April 28 election. Article content Article content
CBC
30-07-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Alberta byelection candidate back on campaign trail, citing no more 'credible threats'
Battle River-Crowfoot independent candidate Sarah Spanier says she's set to return to public campaigning after a deluge of hostile comments led her to pause door-knocking. Last week, RCMP said several candidates contesting next month's byelection in the riding had reported receiving negative and sometimes "potentially threatening commentary" on social media platforms in recent weeks. At the time, Spanier shared some screenshots with CBC News of various social media comments, one of which stated that Spanier "[is] an ignorant pig and I pray [she gets] destroyed," while another wrote that should Spanier come to their door, she "will regret it." Spanier had said that she thought rhetoric became especially aggressive after she publicly stated her support of transgender people. But now, Spanier said she feels safe enough to return to campaigning in person. "The RCMP has been in regular communication with me, which has been fantastic. I've seen them drive outside my house. They've stopped in and said hi, they've definitely made their presence known," Spanier said. "This is beyond what I expected." Spanier added that there were no more "credible threats" to her safety. She said she will now have some more personal safety support with her, but will be returning to public campaigning. "I'm super excited about that," she said. "It's just nice to know that there are people out there who are willing to help." The matter remains under investigation, a spokesperson said Tuesday. In a prior statement, RCMP said that while Canadians "are entitled to express their opinions, even those critical of political figures, threats or comments that cross the line into criminal conduct will be taken seriously." More than 200 on the ballot Spanier is one of more than 200 candidates running in the riding alongside Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre, most of whom are electoral reform advocates known as the Longest Ballot Committee. Spanier is not part of that group. Darcy Spady, the Liberal candidate in the byelection, said he had had positive interactions with people in the riding while campaigning. "I think it's kind of sad that we have to have a [RCMP release] like this. But this is what it is. People have strong opinions," Spady said Wednesday. "We want dialogue, but people can't be moving into the threat zone." Still, he said he thought those issuing threats represented a small group. "I've been told a few interesting words, but by and large, it's been pretty good," he said. Bonnie Critchley, another independent candidate running in the riding, previously released a video on TikTok responding to media reports about threats in the riding. "It's honestly just not a thing.... Are people saying mean things about me online? Well, yeah, it is the age of the keyboard warrior," Critchley said. "But there's been no death threats." Her campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday. Some members of the Longest Ballot Committee, meanwhile, have raised concern with alleged harassment in recent days. Jayson Cowan, a candidate in Battle River-Crowfoot affiliated with the committee, said he recently received a threatening phone call. "It was basically threatening in nature, that he would go after my employer, find out who my employer is, go after him, go after everybody I know," he said. "Not a fun day."
CTV News
17-06-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
Kurek looks to leave mark on Canada with bill to add a new national symbol
Conservative MP Damien Kurek, who announced he would give up his seat so party leader Pierre Poilievre can run in a byelection, arrives for meeting of the Conservative caucus on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, on Sunday, May 25, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang OTTAWA — Outgoing Conservative MP Damien Kurek is looking to leave his mark in Parliament by pushing for the adoption of a national livestock brand as one of Canada's symbols. Kurek introduced a bill in the last Parliament to create the new brand but that bill didn't pass before the election was called, meaning it now has to start over. But Kurek may resign his seat as early as Tuesday to make way for Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre to run in a byelection in Battle River— Crowfoot and attempt re-enter the House of Commons. So Saskatchewan Conservative MP Steven Bonk reintroduced the bill to establish a national livestock brand on Kurek's behalf last week. The proposed design is a Maple Leaf on top of what looks like a small arch, which Kurek described as an inverted quarter circle in 'brand lingo.' 'In the midst of everything that represents the best of what Canada is, conspicuously absent in the inventory of symbols was something that specifically acknowledges that Western and frontier history that was so fundamental in building, not just Western Canada, but the entirety of our nation,' Kurek said in an interview. Shortly after the election, when Poilievre failed to win his own seat of Carleton in Ottawa, Kurek agreed that as soon as the rules allowed he would step aside to allow Poilievre to run there. Under the rules Tuesday is the first day Kurek can do that. Prime Minister Mark Carney previously said he would call a byelection for the riding as soon as he is able. In its new iteration, the legislation includes a reference to the new national symbol being able to 'promote national unity.' That comes a separatist sentiment is on the rise in Alberta, and that province heads toward a potential referendum on the issue next year. 'At a time when I hear often that people feel like our national unity is in fact at risk, to be able to showcase in a practical way through symbolism, to say, 'look, Western Canada, it matters,'' Kurek said. 'And then the key part of that is it can't simply stay at symbolism.' Kurek said that includes making sure Alberta has the ability to get its resources, like oil, to market. Alisson Lévesque, Culture Minister Steven Guilbeault's communications director, said in an emailed statement that the bill is being reviewed and 'we will have more to say when it reaches second reading in the House.' If the bill is passed, the livestock brand would join the list of national symbols like the flag, coat of arms, beaver, hockey, the maple tree and even the national horse. Like the coat of arms, Kurek said the livestock brand is similarly used in agricultural families as a 'heraldic symbol.' Kurek said his family no longer farms cattle, but his great-grandfather registered a J K quarter circle brand that's continued to be passed down through his family. Kurek's father, Jay Kurek, died at the age of 54 last year. As Kurek prepares to trade his seat in Parliament for the cab of a tractor, he said that his family's brand is symbol that connects him to his family history, a common view in farm families. 'It speaks to something bigger than oneself and that's why even though I won't be the one that has the opportunity to shepherd this, hopefully, through Parliament - it's the fact that it means something to, I hope, so many Canadians is why I'm excited that conversation can in fact keep moving forward,' Kurek said. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 17, 2025. David Baxter, The Canadian Press
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Kurek looks to leave mark on Canada with bill to add a new national symbol
OTTAWA — Outgoing Conservative MP Damien Kurek is looking to leave his mark in Parliament by pushing for the adoption of a national livestock brand as one of Canada's symbols. Kurek introduced a bill in the last Parliament to create the new brand but that bill didn't pass before the election was called, meaning it now has to start over. But Kurek may resign his seat as early as Tuesday to make way for Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre to run in a byelection in Battle River— Crowfoot and attempt re-enter the House of Commons. So Saskatchewan Conservative MP Steven Bonk reintroduced the bill to establish a national livestock brand on Kurek's behalf last week. The proposed design is a Maple Leaf on top of what looks like a small arch, which Kurek described as an inverted quarter circle in "brand lingo." "In the midst of everything that represents the best of what Canada is, conspicuously absent in the inventory of symbols was something that specifically acknowledges that Western and frontier history that was so fundamental in building, not just Western Canada, but the entirety of our nation," Kurek said in an interview. Shortly after the election, when Poilievre failed to win his own seat of Carleton in Ottawa, Kurek agreed that as soon as the rules allowed he would step aside to allow Poilievre to run there. Under the rules Tuesday is the first day Kurek can do that. Prime Minister Mark Carney previously said he would call a byelection for the riding as soon as he is able. In its new iteration, the legislation includes a reference to the new national symbol being able to "promote national unity." That comes a separatist sentiment is on the rise in Alberta, and that province heads toward a potential referendum on the issue next year. "At a time when I hear often that people feel like our national unity is in fact at risk, to be able to showcase in a practical way through symbolism, to say, 'look, Western Canada, it matters,'" Kurek said. "And then the key part of that is it can't simply stay at symbolism." Kurek said that includes making sure Alberta has the ability to get its resources, like oil, to market. Alisson Lévesque, Culture Minister Steven Guilbeault's communications director, said in an emailed statement that the bill is being reviewed and "we will have more to say when it reaches second reading in the House." If the bill is passed, the livestock brand would join the list of national symbols like the flag, coat of arms, beaver, hockey, the maple tree and even the national horse. Like the coat of arms, Kurek said the livestock brand is similarly used in agricultural families as a "heraldic symbol." Kurek said his family no longer farms cattle, but his great-grandfather registered a J K quarter circle brand that's continued to be passed down through his family. Kurek's father, Jay Kurek, died at the age of 54 last year. As Kurek prepares to trade his seat in Parliament for the cab of a tractor, he said that his family's brand is symbol that connects him to his family history, a common view in farm families. "It speaks to something bigger than oneself and that's why even though I won't be the one that has the opportunity to shepherd this, hopefully, through Parliament - it's the fact that it means something to, I hope, so many Canadians is why I'm excited that conversation can in fact keep moving forward," Kurek said. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 17, 2025. David Baxter, The Canadian Press Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
