This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0l6jz8xlplo
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
Canada's Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre wins back parliament seat | |
(about 7 hours later) | |
Canada's federal Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre gives a victory speech | Canada's federal Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre gives a victory speech |
Canada's Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre has won a crucial by-election in the province of Alberta to secure a new Parliament seat after losing his constituency in the last general election. | |
With final ballots still being counted, Poilievre leads with 80.4% of the vote in the rural riding of Battle River-Crowfoot, according to preliminary results from Canada's electoral commission. | With final ballots still being counted, Poilievre leads with 80.4% of the vote in the rural riding of Battle River-Crowfoot, according to preliminary results from Canada's electoral commission. |
"Getting to know the people in this region has been the privilege of my life," he told a rapturous crowd on Monday. | "Getting to know the people in this region has been the privilege of my life," he told a rapturous crowd on Monday. |
His victory comes four months after his party was defeated by Mark Carney's Liberals and he lost the Ottawa-area seat he had held for two decades to Liberal Bruce Fanjoy. | |
In this by-election, Poilievre faced a record 214 candidates, many of whom are associated with a protest group seeking electoral reform. | In this by-election, Poilievre faced a record 214 candidates, many of whom are associated with a protest group seeking electoral reform. |
It is the second time the group has targeted Poilievre in a campaign. Voters were asked to fill out a write-in ballot due to the unusually high number of candidates. | It is the second time the group has targeted Poilievre in a campaign. Voters were asked to fill out a write-in ballot due to the unusually high number of candidates. |
More than 50,000 people cast a ballot, according to preliminary results from Elections Canada. The riding has nearly 86,000 eligible voters. | |
Poilievre's win will allow the 46-year-old to return to Parliament for the autumn sitting after his April defeat. He will assume his role as leader of Canada's official opposition. | |
In a statement on X, Prime Minister Carney congratulated Poilievre "on returning to the House of Commons". He also thanked his Liberal opponent, Darcy Spady, who received 4% of the vote in the historically Conservative riding. | |
"Working together, Canada's new government will keep building a stronger future for all Albertans and Canadians," he said. | |
Canada's conservative leader faces crucial election test | Canada's conservative leader faces crucial election test |
How Canada's Conservatives threw away a 27-point lead to lose again | How Canada's Conservatives threw away a 27-point lead to lose again |
The special election was called in June after former Conservative member of Parliament Damian Kurek stepped aside to let Poilievre run. | The special election was called in June after former Conservative member of Parliament Damian Kurek stepped aside to let Poilievre run. |
Poilievre thanked Kurek for his "gracious sacrifice" in his victory speech. | Poilievre thanked Kurek for his "gracious sacrifice" in his victory speech. |
Alberta is a Conservative stronghold - Kurek, the former MP for the riding, had won with 83% of the vote. In the past, the riding was won by Conservatives with at least 70% of the vote. | Alberta is a Conservative stronghold - Kurek, the former MP for the riding, had won with 83% of the vote. In the past, the riding was won by Conservatives with at least 70% of the vote. |
Poilievre faced pushback from some locals, including independent candidate Bonnie Critchley, who had accused him of seeking to win the riding as "nothing more than a means to an end". | |
Poilievre defended his campaign, telling the Calgary Herald newspaper that he had canvassed like he was "one vote behind". | Poilievre defended his campaign, telling the Calgary Herald newspaper that he had canvassed like he was "one vote behind". |
"I believe in humility and earning people's trust," he said. | "I believe in humility and earning people's trust," he said. |
Poilievre now faces a mandatory leadership review in January, where Conservative party members will vote on whether he should stay on as leader at their upcoming national convention. | Poilievre now faces a mandatory leadership review in January, where Conservative party members will vote on whether he should stay on as leader at their upcoming national convention. |
Canada's House of Commons is scheduled to return from summer break on 15 September. |