Everything You Need to Know About the Federal Byelection in Battle River-Crowfoot

The 2025 Battle River-Crowfoot byelection is fast approaching, with Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre aiming to regain a seat in the House of Commons after losing his Ottawa seat earlier this year. This Alberta riding, long considered a Conservative stronghold, will decide whether Poilievre returns to the political stage in Ottawa. With 214 candidates on the ballot, it’s shaping up to be a historic election.

What’s at Stake for Pierre Poilievre?

After Damien Kurek, the former Conservative MP for Battle River-Crowfoot, stepped down in June, Poilievre saw an opportunity to reclaim a seat and continue his leadership of the Conservative Party of Canada. His loss in the Carleton riding earlier this year to Liberal candidate Bruce Fanjoy left him without a seat in the House of Commons—a situation that Poilievre is eager to rectify.

Candidates in the Race

A record 214 candidates have registered for the Battle River-Crowfoot byelection, making it the largest number of candidates on a federal ballot in Canadian history. Among the contenders are:

• Pierre Poilievre (Conservative)
• Darcy Spady (Liberal)
• Katherine Swampy (NDP)
• Jonathan Bridges (People’s Party of Canada)
• Ashley MacDonald (Green Party)
• Bonnie Critchley (Independent)
  

The Longest Ballot Committee, an electoral reform group, has contributed to the unusually high number of candidates by encouraging individuals to run, even without campaigning for victory. However, this has led to frustration, with some candidates, including Poilievre’s rival Bonnie Critchley, denouncing the committee’s involvement for causing confusion among voters.

A New Kind of Ballot

Due to the record number of candidates, Elections Canada has introduced a special write-in ballot system. Elections Canada has introduced a departure from the traditional list-style ballot, requiring voters to manually write in their choice. This change is expected to slow the counting process. The agency has already warned that it may take longer to report the results but assured voters that it will count all ballots by election night.

Voting and Voting Concerns

Officials will hold the byelection on Monday, Aug. 18, with vote counting starting at 7:00 PM. Early voting has already taken place, with more than 14,000 advance ballots cast—surpassing the number in April’s federal election for the riding.

A major point of contention is whether the Longest Ballot Committee’s strategy will confuse voters or hinder the election process. Poilievre, in particular, has expressed concerns over the group’s tactics, accusing them of deliberately complicating the election.

What Happens Next for Poilievre?

For Poilievre, this byelection is crucial. Not only will it determine his return to the House of Commons, but it could also signal his future as Conservative Party leader. If he fails to win, it could lead to further internal party challenges, including a leadership review set for January 2026. While Poilievre faces the prospect of temporary leadership by Andrew Scheer in the House, his position within the party depends on how this race plays out.

What’s the Voter Sentiment?

While the riding has traditionally leaned Conservative, voters in the area are feeling conflicted. Some Albertan farmers and rural residents have expressed concerns about Poilievre’s connection to the region and his priorities, particularly after his loss in the Carleton riding.

This byelection, therefore, is about more than just one seat—it’s about Poilievre’s future in Canadian politics and how he connects with voters outside Ottawa.

What to Expect on Election Day

• Date: Monday, August 18, 2025
• Polling stations: Open across Battle River-Crowfoot riding
• Special ballots: A unique write-in system will be used due to the high number of candidates
• Results: Expect delays as votes are manually counted

Pierre Poilievre and the Conservative Party are facing a critical moment in this pivotal byelection, which is set to make waves in Alberta and potentially across Canada.

More…

• https://kitchener.citynews.ca/video/2025/08/18/poilievre-eyes-return-to-parliament-as-alberta-byelection-voting-gets-underway
• https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/battle-river-crowfoot-byelection-1.7606852
• https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/18/nyregion/us-open-mixed-doubles.html