Did Pierre Poilievre Win His Seat – 80% Victory in Alberta
Pierre Poilievre secured his return to Parliament through a decisive victory in Alberta’s Battle River—Crowfoot riding on August 18, 2025, ending a four-month period without a seat in the House of Commons following his unexpected loss in the April general election.
The Conservative leader captured 80.86 percent of the vote, defeating 213 other candidates in a by-election triggered by incumbent MP Damien Kurek’s resignation. The win restored Poilievre’s position as Official Opposition leader and marked one of the strongest showings for any candidate in recent Canadian federal politics.
The outcome reversed fortune for Poilievre, who had represented the Ontario riding of Carleton since 2004 before losing to Liberal Bruce Fanjoy in the April 28 federal vote. His party had also failed to form government, leaving Poilievre without a parliamentary seat and unable to physically take his place as Conservative leader in the Commons.
Did Pierre Poilievre Win His Seat?
Yes. Pierre Poilievre won the Battle River—Crowfoot by-election decisively, receiving 41,308 votes out of approximately 51,000 total ballots cast. His margin of victory exceeded 70 percentage points over the second-place finisher, reflecting the riding’s longstanding Conservative orientation.
The result confirmed Poilievre’s return to parliamentary representation after his general election defeat. He immediately resumed his role as leader of Her Majesty’s Official Opposition, a position he had held since 2022.
Official results were reported through Elections Canada channels, with confirmation from multiple independent news sources on August 18 and 19, 2025. No challenges to the result have been documented in available sources.
By-Election Overview
- Status: Won Battle River—Crowfoot by-election on August 18, 2025
- Vote share: 80.86 percent
- Previous status: Lost Carleton seat in April 2025 general election
- Riding location: Rural eastern Alberta
Key Election Insights
- Victory margin placed Poilievre among the highest-performing federal candidates in recent Canadian history
- Riding has consistently returned Conservative MPs since its creation in 2012
- Result secured continuity for Conservative parliamentary operations
- 214 candidates appeared on ballots, organized primarily through Longest Ballot Committee efforts
- Advance voting saw 14,454 ballots cast over five days
Full Vote Results
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Percentage | Change from Prior Election |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pierre Poilievre | Conservative | 41,308 | 80.86% | -1.98 |
| Bonnie Critchley | Independent | 5,018 | 9.82% | – |
| Darcy Spady | Liberal | 2,095 | 4.10% | -7.57 |
| Katherine Swampy | New Democratic | 1,061 | 2.08% | -1.10 |
How Did Pierre Poilievre Get His Seat Back?
Poilievre regained his parliamentary seat through the natural process of Canadian by-election law. When an MP resigns, dies, or is otherwise unable to serve, a by-election is called to fill the vacancy. In this case, Damien Kurek stepped down on June 17, 2025, creating an opening in a riding where the Conservatives had maintained strong support for over a decade.
The Conservative Party selected Poilievre as their candidate for the vacant Battle River—Crowfoot seat, a strategic choice given his status as party leader. By winning the by-election, Poilievre restored his ability to sit in Parliament and continue his opposition role.
Riding Background
Battle River—Crowfoot encompasses rural communities in eastern Alberta, including populations around Stettler, Wainwright, and Hanna. The riding was created in 2012 from parts of the former Crowhorse and Palliser ridings. Kurek had represented the area since 2019, accumulating substantial majorities in previous contests.
The riding’s political character made it receptive territory for Poilievre’s candidacy. Conservative candidates have consistently won the seat with margins exceeding 60 percentage points in recent elections.
Longest Ballot Campaign
The by-election attracted unusual attention due to the Longest Ballot Committee’s efforts to field an unprecedented number of candidates. The group, advocating for electoral reform, organized 214 candidates to run—many without genuine campaign operations—as a protest against first-past-the-post voting systems.
Voters were required to write candidate names on blank ballots given the volume, creating practical challenges at polling stations. Despite the unconventional circumstances, Poilievre’s victory remained straightforward, with his vote total far exceeding all other candidates combined.
The Longest Ballot Committee has organized similar protests in previous Canadian elections, though the 214-candidate field in Battle River—Crowfoot set a new record for federal ridings. Their efforts highlight ongoing debates about electoral systems in Canada.
Understanding the April 2025 General Election Loss
Poilievre’s path to the Battle River—Crowfoot by-election began with an unexpected defeat in the April 28, 2025 federal general election. Running in his longtime Carleton riding south of Ottawa, Poilievre lost to Liberal challenger Bruce Fanjoy—an outcome that surprised political observers and created an unprecedented situation for an opposition leader.
The loss meant Poilievre could not take his seat in the House of Commons during the new parliamentary session. While he continued to serve as Conservative leader in an informal capacity, his lack of a seat limited his ability to participate in Commons debates, committee work, and question period.
The general election results were formally published in the Canada Gazette on May 15, 2025, after which Damien Kurek’s subsequent resignation triggered the by-election process that eventually returned Poilievre to Parliament.
Transition to the New Parliament
Following his electoral defeat, Poilievre faced the unusual challenge of leading the opposition from outside the legislature. His party retained the largest number of seats in Parliament but fell short of forming government, leaving the Liberal Party to continue with a minority administration.
The by-election victory resolved this organizational difficulty, allowing Poilievre to resume his full leadership functions. His return coincided with Parliament’s ongoing session, enabling immediate participation in legislative proceedings.
Timeline of Events
- : Federal general election held; Poilievre loses Carleton to Bruce Fanjoy; Damien Kurek wins Battle River—Crowfoot
- : General election results officially published in Canada Gazette
- : Damien Kurek resigns as MP for Battle River—Crowfoot
- : Speaker of the House notifies Chief Electoral Officer of vacancy
- : Election writ dropped; by-election called
- : Advance voting period; 14,454 ballots cast
- : By-election day; polls close at 8:30 PM MDT; Poilievre declared winner
What Is Confirmed and What Remains Unclear
| Established Information | Remaining Uncertainties |
|---|---|
| Poilievre won Battle River—Crowfoot with 80.86% of the vote | Whether additional by-elections will be called for other ridings |
| He lost Carleton in the April 28 general election | Specific legislative priorities for the upcoming session |
| He resumed his role as Official Opposition leader | Long-term Conservative electoral strategy in Ontario ridings |
| The by-election was triggered by Kurek’s resignation | Whether Poilievre will seek re-election in Carleton in future votes |
The Significance of Battle River—Crowfoot
Battle River—Crowfoot represents one of the safest Conservative ridings in Canada. Located in eastern Alberta, the riding encompasses agricultural communities and small urban centres that have consistently supported Conservative candidates by wide margins in federal elections.
The riding’s political character made it a logical destination for Poilievre’s return to Parliament. Its established Conservative base offered certainty of victory, while the riding’s profile aligned with the party’s traditional rural support.
For Poilievre personally, the win marked his fourth different riding in his parliamentary career. He was first elected in 2004 for Nepean—Carleton, later renamed Carleton, and now represents constituents in Alberta after his victory in Battle River—Crowfoot.
The choice of a rural Alberta riding reflects broader Conservative Party strategy, which draws significant support from Prairie provinces. The riding’s demographic composition—including farmers, small business owners, and resource sector workers—aligns with policies Poilievre has emphasized throughout his leadership.
Official Sources and Reporting
Election results were documented through multiple official and journalistic channels. Elections Canada maintains records of all federal vote tallies, with detailed breakdowns available through the agency’s website. News organizations including the BBC, iPolitics, and the Canadian Press reported the outcome on August 18 and 19, 2025.
“Pierre Poilievre won the Battle River—Crowfoot by-election with 80 percent of the vote, regaining his seat in the House of Commons four months after losing his Ontario riding in the general election.”
— Multiple news reports, August 2025
The Longest Ballot Committee’s protest campaign received coverage for its unusual scale, though the fundamental outcome remained clear throughout the voting period. Early results showing Poilievre at approximately 80 percent held through the final count.
Wikipedia’s entry on the 2025 Battle River—Crowfoot federal by-election documents vote tallies and candidate information, citing official sources for its data. Additional coverage appeared on Coast Reporter and through Pierre Poilievre’s biography page.
Summary
Pierre Poilievre won his seat on August 18, 2025, capturing the Battle River—Crowfoot riding in Alberta with 80.86 percent of the vote. The victory restored his position in the House of Commons after he lost his Carleton seat in the April general election. His margin of victory and vote total represented one of the strongest performances by any federal candidate in recent Canadian history, securing his continued leadership of the Conservative Party in Parliament.
For broader context on the political landscape surrounding these events, see our coverage of News on Canadian Election – Carney’s Liberals Win Minority Government and Bank of Canada Releases Surveys – Q4 2025 Key Findings on Sentiment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What percentage did Pierre Poilievre win by?
Poilievre won with 80.86 percent of the vote, according to official results from the August 18, 2025 by-election.
How many votes did Pierre Poilievre receive?
Pierre Poilievre received 41,308 votes in the Battle River—Crowfoot by-election, the highest vote total in the riding’s history.
Where is the Battle River—Crowfoot riding located?
Battle River—Crowfoot is located in eastern Alberta, covering rural communities between Edmonton and the Saskatchewan border.
When did Poilievre lose his previous seat?
Poilievre lost his Carleton seat on April 28, 2025, during the federal general election, to Liberal candidate Bruce Fanjoy.
Why was there a by-election in Battle River—Crowfoot?
The by-election was held because incumbent MP Damien Kurek resigned on June 17, 2025, creating a vacancy in the riding.
How many candidates ran in the by-election?
A record 214 candidates ran in the Battle River—Crowfoot by-election, largely organized by the Longest Ballot Committee as a protest demonstration.
What happened to Pierre Poilievre between April and August 2025?
Following his April electoral defeat, Poilievre continued as Conservative Party leader but could not sit in Parliament until winning the August by-election.
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