Battle River-Crowfoot: MP, 2025 By-Election, Map & Results

When Damien Kurek announced his resignation from Parliament in June 2025, few expected the riding of Battle River—Crowfoot to make national headlines. But the August 18 by-election brought Pierre Poilievre—leader of the Conservative Party—into the race, transforming a quiet Alberta rural seat into a political event watched across the country. The result was a decisive landslide win that returned Poilievre to the House of Commons.

Region: Alberta · Riding Number: 338 · By-Election Date: August 18, 2025 · Winner: Pierre Poilievre (80.86%)

The following key facts about the riding and by-election results come from Elections Canada and verified Wikipedia sources.

Who is the Battle River—Crowfoot MP?

Hon. Pierre Poilievre currently represents Battle River—Crowfoot in the House of Commons. The Conservative Party leader won the August 18 by-election in a landslide, securing 41,308 votes—accounting for 80.86% of all valid ballots cast (Wikipedia). His election returned him to Parliament after he lost his long-held seat of Carleton, Ontario in the April 28, 2025 federal general election to Liberal Bruce Fanjoy.

Profile and political background

Poilievre served as MP for Carleton from 2004 to 2025, building a two-decade career in federal politics before his April defeat. His decision to run in Battle River—Crowfoot marked a strategic move to return to the House of Commons, where his party could position him as Leader of the Official Opposition. The riding had been held by Conservative Damien Kurek since 2019, making it one of the party’s safest seats in the country.

Advance byelection polls have opened throughout the Battle River—Crowfoot federal riding. It’s considered one of the most conservative ridings in Canada.

— CBC’s Acton Clarkin, CBC News on YouTube

The riding covers east-central Alberta, encompassing communities such as Camrose, Drumheller, and Hanna. With a population of 110,212 according to Elections Canada, the district is predominantly rural with strong Conservative support—Kurek won with 82.84% in the April 2025 general election (Wikipedia). Poilievre’s 80.86% share represents only a slight dip from that historic dominance.

When is the Battle River—Crowfoot by-election?

The by-election was held on August 18, 2025. Damien Kurek formally resigned his seat on June 17, 2025; the Speaker of the House notified the chief electoral officer on June 18. The official writ for the by-election was issued on June 30, 2025 (Government of Canada), setting in motion a compressed campaign timeline of just 49 days.

Vacancy reasons

Kurek’s decision to step down came less than four months after he won the riding with 71.29% of the vote in the 2021 federal election (41,819 votes) and again with 82.84% in April 2025. Political observers noted that his departure created an unexpected opportunity for party leaders seeking a quick path back to Parliament—the Longest Ballot Committee, a protest group, exploited this vacuum by registering 132 candidates to highlight concerns about democratic engagement (Lethbridge News Now).

Who are the Battle River—Crowfoot candidates?

The August 18 by-election featured 214 registered candidates—a record-shattering field that included party-affiliated nominees and independent protest candidates. The Longest Ballot Committee alone registered 132 names as of July 22, 2025, breaking previous Canadian records (Lethbridge News Now). Beyond the protest candidates, several recognized party nominees competed for the seat.

2025 by-election candidates

The major party candidates and their results from the August 18 by-election:

• Pierre Poilievre (Conservative): 41,308 votes (80.86%) — winner
• Bonnie Critchley (Independent): 5,018 votes (9.82%) — runner-up
• Darcy Spady (Liberal): 2,095 votes (4.10%)
• Katherine Swampy (NDP): 1,061 votes (2.08%)
• Grant Abraham (United Party of Canada): 757 votes (1.48%)
• Michael Harris (Libertarian): 103 votes (0.20%)
• Jeff Willerton (Christian Heritage Party): 92 votes (0.18%)
• Jonathan Bridges (People’s Party): 138 votes (0.27%)
• Ashley MacDonald (Green Party): 116 votes (0.23%)
• Sarah Spanier (Independent): 49 votes (0.10%)

Katherine Swampy, the NDP candidate, is a band councillor who announced her candidacy on July 8, 2025. Jonathan Bridges previously ran in the April 2025 general election for the People’s Party of Canada. Elections Canada listed additional independent candidates including Jeani Boudreault and Alain Bourgault as confirmed nominees (Elections Canada official candidate list).

What are the Battle River—Crowfoot results?

Pierre Poilievre won decisively with 41,308 votes representing 80.86% of the valid ballot. Bonnie Critchley, an independent candidate, finished second with 5,018 votes (9.82%). All other candidates combined received less than 10% of the total vote (Wikipedia). Total valid votes reached 51,085, with 211 ballots rejected and 51,296 total votes cast.

By-election vs. April 2025 general election

Comparing the August by-election to the April 28 general election reveals interesting patterns. In April, Damien Kurek received 53,684 votes (82.84%), and the total valid vote count was 64,807. By August, with Poilievre as the candidate and only a 49-day campaign, the Conservative share dropped 1.98 percentage points and total turnout fell by 13,722 votes—a natural consequence of by-election fatigue and shorter campaigning.

Historical election data

Battle River—Crowfoot has maintained consistently strong Conservative support for decades. Kurek first won in 2019 and secured re-election in 2021 with 71.29% of the vote (41,819 ballots). The riding’s political character—rural east-central Alberta with aging agricultural communities—explains its deep Conservative loyalty. Advance polls saw 14,454 votes cast during the August 8–12 early voting period, accounting for 28.3% of all ballots (Wikipedia).

Where is Battle River—Crowfoot on the map?

Battle River—Crowfoot (Elections Canada district number 48002) covers a vast stretch of east-central Alberta. The riding encompasses the city of Camrose and extends through rural communities including Drumheller, Hanna, Bashaw, Castor, Coronation, and Daysland. Its boundaries were adjusted during the 2022 redistribution process, which refined the electoral district’s geographic footprint.

Boundaries description

The riding spans agricultural land and small urban centres across approximately 28,000 square kilometres of Alberta prairie. Communities like Drumheller, home to the famous dinosaur museum, anchor the southern portion of the riding, while Camrose serves as a regional service hub in the central corridor. Hanna and surrounding villages occupy the northeastern reaches. The riding takes its name from the Battle River and the historic Crowfoot electoral district that preceded it.

Included towns and cities

The riding includes: Camrose (largest urban centre), Drumheller, Hanna, Bashaw, Castor, Coronation, Daysland, and numerous smaller agricultural communities. The population of 110,212 (Elections Canada) is spread across this largely rural geography, representing one of Canada’s more sparsely populated federal districts. Advance polling stations operated in Drumheller and other communities throughout the riding (CBC News on YouTube).

Battle River—Crowfoot’s decisive result confirmed what Alberta political observers have long understood: this riding rewards Conservative candidates regardless of their national profile. For Pierre Poilievre, the win restores his parliamentary seat and cements his role as Official Opposition leader, even as his party navigates a broader electoral landscape. For rural Albertans in communities like Drumheller and Camrose, the continuity of representation matters most—Conservative or otherwise.

Related reading: Canadian Tire Elliot Lake · Equifax Free Credit Report Canada

Pierre Poilievre clinched an 80% win in Alberta’s Battle River—Crowfoot riding on August 18, securing his parliamentary return as detailed in coverage of his seat victory.

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