Latest news with #Kurek
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Conservative MP Damien Kurek calls on colleagues to 'fight for Canada' as he steps down for Poilievre
OTTAWA — With a wave of his black cowboy hat and a call for all Parliamentarians to 'fight for Canada,' Alberta Conservative MP Damien Kurek made a heartfelt final address in the House of Commons Thursday before stepping aside for leader Pierre Poilievre. Flanked by a few dozen of his Conservative colleagues after question period, the MP for Battle River—Crowfoot said that politics had been a 'wild, wild ride' for him and his family as he called on his constituents to support Poilievre in the upcoming byelection. During his 10-minute speech, he called on MPs to fight together for Canada, argued that Alberta deserves a 'fair voice' within the federation, threw the occasional barb at the Liberals and joked that stepping down was a more complicated process than expected. 'I didn't know it would be quite so much work to resign,' the hulking Kurek said with his emblematic booming voice, earning laughs from MPs in the chamber. Kurek was first elected in the rural Alberta riding in 2019 and was handily re-elected in April with over 80 per cent of the vote. But when Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre lost his longtime Ottawa riding of Carleton, Kurek announced he would step aside to allow the party head to run in his stead. Kurek said he will resign as soon as House of Commons rules allow it, likely meaning in late June. He's also promised to run again in Battle River—Crowfoot in the next federal election. 'I don't plan to retire from politics, but I am stepping aside to ensure that this byelection is triggered,' he said. Porter CEO battling CRA over tax bill from 'significant losses' from 'high-risk' pandemic trading Quebec Liberal MP Francis Scarpaleggia elected new Speaker of the House of Commons The reason why Kurek is the Conservative MP stepping aside for Poilievre appeared to come from NDP MP Gord Johns, who expressed his condolences to Kurek for his father's passing in the last year and wishing him well in taking over the family farm. 'He's going to do well with it, and we wish him well as a farmer, supporting Canadians so we get our food, and the work that he does around his farm,' Johns said. 'I thank the member for the very kind words,' Kurek replied. 'And I think it emphasizes that in this place, we can trade passionate partisan barbs, we can passionately disagree, but that doesn't mean that there's hatred toward each other.' His farewell speech was briefly heckled by Liberal MPs, one of which loudly booed his announcement that he was resigning to allow Poilievre to run and another who loudly lamented the cost of a byelection (estimates vary from $1.7 million to $2 million). The comments pushed Conservative MP Michael Barrett to cross the aisle and apparently scold them before Johns and some Liberal MPs jumped in to lower the temperature. While responding to later well-wishes from the Liberals, NDP, Bloc Québécois and Greens, Kurek acknowledged that he was excited to be back on the family farm — and far from opposing party benches. 'I look forward to being able to spend a little bit more time in a tractor cab. The good thing about being in a tractor cab, Mr. Speaker, is that it doesn't heckle you,' he said. Kurek also repeatedly thanked his wife Danielle, who was watching from the visitors' gallery, for supporting his time in politics and noted that he looked forward to spending more time with his three sons. He then finished with a call to action for all MPs. 'As Danielle and I move on to what is a bit of an unexpected chapter of our lives, I would ask each and every person in this House: fight for Canada, fight for what's right, and do so boldly and strongly, because that's the least we can do for the people that send us here.' 'I plan to be back, God willing, but in the meantime, I look forward to being the best husband, the best dad and the best rural farmer that I can possibly be,' he added. He then stood up, waved his trademark black cowboy hat in the air, and walked out of the House of Commons. National Post cnardi@ Get more deep-dive National Post political coverage and analysis in your inbox with the Political Hack newsletter, where Ottawa bureau chief Stuart Thomson and political analyst Tasha Kheiriddin get at what's really going on behind the scenes on Parliament Hill every Wednesday and Friday, exclusively for subscribers. Sign up here. Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our politics newsletter, First Reading, here.
Vancouver Sun
4 days ago
- Politics
- Vancouver Sun
Conservative MP Damien Kurek calls on colleagues to 'fight for Canada' as he steps down for Poilievre
OTTAWA — With a wave of his black cowboy hat and a call for all Parliamentarians to 'fight for Canada,' Alberta Conservative MP Damien Kurek made a heartfelt final address in the House of Commons Thursday before stepping aside for leader Pierre Poilievre. Flanked by a few dozen of his Conservative colleagues after question period, the MP for Battle River—Crowfoot said that politics had been a 'wild, wild ride' for him and his family as he called on his constituents to support Poilievre in the upcoming byelection. During his 10-minute speech, he called on MPs to fight together for Canada, argued that Alberta deserves a 'fair voice' within the federation, threw the occasional barb at the Liberals and joked that stepping down was a more complicated process than expected. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. 'I didn't know it would be quite so much work to resign,' the hulking Kurek said with his emblematic booming voice, earning laughs from MPs in the chamber. Kurek was first elected in the rural Alberta riding in 2019 and was handily re-elected in April with over 80 per cent of the vote. But when Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre lost his longtime Ottawa riding of Carleton, Kurek announced he would step aside to allow the party head to run in his stead. Kurek said he will resign as soon as House of Commons rules allow it, likely meaning in late June. He's also promised to run again in Battle River—Crowfoot in the next federal election. 'I don't plan to retire from politics, but I am stepping aside to ensure that this byelection is triggered,' he said. The reason why Kurek is the Conservative MP stepping aside for Poilievre appeared to come from NDP MP Gord Johns, who expressed his condolences to Kurek for his father's passing in the last year and wishing him well in taking over the family farm. 'He's going to do well with it, and we wish him well as a farmer, supporting Canadians so we get our food, and the work that he does around his farm,' Johns said. 'I thank the member for the very kind words,' Kurek replied. 'And I think it emphasizes that in this place, we can trade passionate partisan barbs, we can passionately disagree, but that doesn't mean that there's hatred toward each other.' His farewell speech was briefly heckled by Liberal MPs, one of which loudly booed his announcement that he was resigning to allow Poilievre to run and another who loudly lamented the cost of a byelection (estimates vary from $1.7 million to $2 million). The comments pushed Conservative MP Michael Barrett to cross the aisle and apparently scold them before Johns and some Liberal MPs jumped in to lower the temperature. While responding to later well-wishes from the Liberals, NDP, Bloc Québécois and Greens, Kurek acknowledged that he was excited to be back on the family farm — and far from opposing party benches. 'I look forward to being able to spend a little bit more time in a tractor cab. The good thing about being in a tractor cab, Mr. Speaker, is that it doesn't heckle you,' he said. Kurek also repeatedly thanked his wife Danielle, who was watching from the visitors' gallery, for supporting his time in politics and noted that he looked forward to spending more time with his three sons. He then finished with a call to action for all MPs. 'As Danielle and I move on to what is a bit of an unexpected chapter of our lives, I would ask each and every person in this House: fight for Canada, fight for what's right, and do so boldly and strongly, because that's the least we can do for the people that send us here.' 'I plan to be back, God willing, but in the meantime, I look forward to being the best husband, the best dad and the best rural farmer that I can possibly be,' he added. He then stood up, waved his trademark black cowboy hat in the air, and walked out of the House of Commons. National Post cnardi@ Get more deep-dive National Post political coverage and analysis in your inbox with the Political Hack newsletter, where Ottawa bureau chief Stuart Thomson and political analyst Tasha Kheiriddin get at what's really going on behind the scenes on Parliament Hill every Wednesday and Friday, exclusively for subscribers. Sign up here . Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our politics newsletter, First Reading, here .
Toronto Star
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Toronto Star
Clock starts on timing of byelection Poilievre hopes to use to return to Parliament
OTTAWA - The Conservatives know more today about when their leader could return to the House of Commons, now that Damien Kurek has been officially declared the member of Parliament for Battle River—Crowfoot. Kurek, who won the election in the rural Alberta riding with more than 80 per cent of the vote, has promised to step aside to give Pierre Poilievre a chance to run for a seat.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Pierre Poilievre will be allowed to keep living at taxpayer-funded Stornoway, Andrew Scheer says
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is expected to continue living at Stornoway with his family while he seeks a seat to return to the House of Commons. Poilievre lost his Ottawa-area Carleton seat in the federal election last month and is no longer recognized as the official leader of the Opposition in the House. It was initially unclear if Poilievre would remain at the taxpayer-funded residence, which has been reserved for the leader of the Opposition since 1950. Former Conservative leader and MP Andrew Scheer has been selected to take Poilievre's place temporarily until Poilievre runs in a byelection. To regain his seat in Parliament, Poilievre has said he will run in a byelection in the Alberta riding of Battle River—Crowfoot, after re-elected Conservative MP Damien Kurek said he was stepping aside to make that seat available for the leader. Prime Minister Mark Carney has said he will call the byelection as quickly as possible to allow Poilievre to return to the House as Opposition leader. 'Given that Mr. Poilievre hopes to be re-elected as a Member of Parliament in a few months and Prime Minister Carney promised to hold the byelection quickly, it would be more costly to taxpayers to move the family out and then right back into the residence,' Scheer said in a statement to CBC News. 'I have no intention to move into the residence and so we expect the family will just remain there through this short transition phase.' However, Kurek will have to wait at least 30 days until after his federal election result is published in the federal government's official publication, the Canada Gazette, in order to resign, The Canadian Press reported. On May 15, Kurek's election result was published in the Canada Gazette, Part I, Volume 159, Number 10: Extra edition. After recording a notice of resignation, the House speaker must report it to the chief electoral officer in order to hold a byelection to fill the vacancy, per the House of Commons. The date of that byelection must be called between 11 and 180 days after the chief electoral officer receives the warrant from the Speaker, Elections Canada says. 'The Governor in Council also fixes the date for election day, which cannot be earlier than 36 days, or later than 50 days,' after the formal order for the byelection has been given. That would mean the earliest Poilievre could be elected would be in August. Meanwhile, Poilievre has moved out of his Parliament Hill office as well as his constituency office. His webpage on the House of Commons website indicates that he is 'no longer a Member of Parliament.' The results of the federal election are expected to be officially finalized by May 19, according to the federal government. Parliament will return on May 26 and King Charles will deliver the throne speech on May 27. Poilievre says Guilbeault is a threat to national unity after pipeline comments Poilievre says he's against Alberta separatism, but the province has 'legitimate grievances' Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our politics newsletter, First Reading, here.
Toronto Sun
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Toronto Sun
Clock starts on timing of byelection Poilievre hopes to use to return to Parliament
Published May 16, 2025 • 1 minute read Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre. Photo by Dave Sidaway/Postmedia/File OTTAWA — The Conservatives know more today about when their leader could return to the House of Commons, now that Damien Kurek has been officially declared the member of Parliament for Battle River-Crowfoot. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Kurek, who won the election in the rural Alberta riding with more than 80 per cent of the vote, has promised to step aside to give Pierre Poilievre a chance to run for a seat. The riding results are considered official once they're published in the Canada Gazette, which happened on Thursday. According to federal law, Kurek must sit as a member of Parliament for 30 days before he can tender his resignation. After that, the Speaker of the House of Commons would have to report the vacancy to the chief electoral officer, at which point the government would have 11 to 180 days to call a byelection. Byelection campaigns last at least 36 days — so the soonest Poilievre could be elected is in early August. Prime Minister Mark Carney has said he will not delay Poilievre's chance to become an MP. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. If Kurek's resignation is reported to the chief electoral officer as soon as possible, and if Carney calls the shortest possible byelection campaign period — 36 days — the vote would fall on the Monday after July 31. But because Aug. 4 is a holiday, it's likely the byelection would be pushed to Aug. 5. Voters in the Ottawa-area riding of Carleton, where Poilievre had been elected seven straight times since 2004, chose a Liberal MP in the April 28 election. Without a seat in the House of Commons, Poilievre cannot act as the Opposition leader in question period or participate in debate. The Conservative caucus has chosen former party leader Andrew Scheer to lead the Opposition in the House of Commons on a temporary basis. The next Parliament is set to begin on May 26 with the election of a new Speaker. King Charles III is set to read the Carney government's throne speech on May 27. Celebrity Ontario Toronto Maple Leafs Celebrity Toronto Maple Leafs
