Latest news with #Kurek
Calgary Herald
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Calgary Herald
Battle River-Crowfoot candidates predict a tougher byelection for Pierre Poilievre than landslide April election win
Article content Battle River-Crowfoot candidates say many voters are unhappy about having to go back to the polls less than four months after re-electing their Conservative Party of Canada MP. Article content Residents of the rural Alberta riding overwhelmingly voted for Damien Kurek in April's general election, when the now former MP received over 82 per cent of the vote. Article content Article content But following Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre's defeat in his Ottawa-area riding in April, Kurek officially stepped aside in June to allow Poilievre to run in what's regarded as a safe Conservative riding. A byelection will take place Aug. 18 in Battle River-Crowfoot, a huge riding spanning close to 53,000 square kilometres that includes the communities of Camrose, Drumheller, Wainwright and Stettler. Article content Independent candidate Bonnie Critchley, who lives in the central Alberta town of Tofield, in the northwest corner of the riding, says a surprising number of Conservative voters feel Kurek 'sold us out.' Article content Article content 'If Mr. Poilievre beats me in the upcoming election, it won't be by much,' said Critchley, who argues the riding needs a local candidate who understands their concerns. Article content The needs of the Ottawa-area Carlton riding, where the Conservative leader held a seat for two decades, are much different than those of the rural Alberta riding of Battle River-Crowfoot, said Critchley. Article content 'Very few of my neighbours that I've talked to are particularly happy about the idea of Mr. Poilievre just assuming we're going to vote for him because we voted for Mr. Kurek,' said Critchley, adding Kurek is a farmer and understood the riding's needs. Article content Article content Article content Besides 'being tired and angry, and tired of being angry, from the 'American-style politics that keep leaking over the border,' Battle River-Crowfoot residents are mainly concerned with the increasing cost of living, said Critchley, a retired military veteran who served over 22 years. Article content Critchley said some of her platform points, such as the right to repair, address ways to reduce this. Article content 'As (appliances) become more and more proprietary, it costs us more and more, and we have lost work hours because we have to sit there and try to work around broken equipment that we can't repair on our own, or can't repair on our own, because companies are refusing to provide parts.'
Edmonton Journal
04-07-2025
- Business
- Edmonton Journal
After stepping down for Poilievre to run, MP Damien Kurek lands role at government relations, lobbying firm
Article content The Alberta MP who stepped down to allow Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre to run in his riding has a new job with a government relations and lobbying firm. Article content Article content Article content We are excited to announce the newest member of our team, former Parliamentarian @dckurek! Damien's deep roots in Alberta politics paired with his legislative experience make him the perfect fit to deliver strategic value to our clients in Western Canada. — Upstream Strategy (@upstream_group) July 4, 2025 Article content 'There's no better time than the Calgary Stampede for me to join Upstream Strategy Group,' Kurek said in a Friday statement. Article content 'Just like the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth highlights our western heritage, I'm looking forward to helping organizations grow and succeed in Western Canada.' Article content Upstream said Kurek brings extensive experience to his new role, pointing to his time as the Conservative party's Canadian Heritage critic in the last Parliament, as well as his time as the Environment and Sustainable Development committee vice-chair. Before he was first elected to the House of Commons, Kurek worked under former Battle River-Crowfoot MP Kevin Sorenson and in the Saskatchewan legislature while Brad Wall was premier, Upstream also noted. Article content 'Raised and still actively involved on his family's multi-generational farm near Consort, Alberta, Kurek brings a unique perspective on the needs of rural communities and industries vital to the Prairies' economy,' said the company, which has offices in Toronto and Regina.
Calgary Herald
04-07-2025
- Business
- Calgary Herald
After stepping down for Poilievre to run, MP Damien Kurek lands role at government relations, lobbying firm
Article content The Alberta MP who stepped down to allow Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre to run in his riding has a new job with a government relations and lobbying firm. Article content Damien Kurek, who had represented Battle River-Crowfoot since 2019, resigned in June after getting re-elected in April to allow Poilievre, who lost the Ottawa-area riding of Carleton to Liberal Bruce Fanjoy, to regain a House of Commons seat in what's regarded as a safe Conservative constituency. Article content Article content Article content On Friday, Upstream Strategy Group announced Kurek as its newest principal, calling the former MP a 'seasoned legislator' and a 'tireless advocate' for Alberta. Article content We are excited to announce the newest member of our team, former Parliamentarian @dckurek! Damien's deep roots in Alberta politics paired with his legislative experience make him the perfect fit to deliver strategic value to our clients in Western Canada. — Upstream Strategy (@upstream_group) July 4, 2025 Article content Article content 'There's no better time than the Calgary Stampede for me to join Upstream Strategy Group,' said Kurek in a Friday statement. Article content 'Just like the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth highlights our western heritage, I'm looking forward to helping organizations grow and succeed in Western Canada.' Article content Upstream said Kurek brings extensive experience to his new role, pointing to his time as the Conservative's Canadian Heritage critic in the last Parliament as well as his time as the Environment and Sustainable Development committee vice-chair. Before he was first elected to the House of Commons, Kurek worked under former Battle River-Crowfoot MP Kevin Sorenson and in the Saskatchewan legislature while Brad Wall was premier, Upstream also noted. Article content 'Raised and still actively involved on his family's multigenerational farm near Consort, Alberta, Kurek brings a unique perspective on the needs of rural communities and industries vital to the Prairies' economy,' said the company, which has offices in Toronto and Regina.
Cision Canada
04-07-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
Upstream Strategy Group Welcomes Damien Kurek as its Newest Principal, Kicking Off Calgary Stampede with Bold Alberta Expansion
CALGARY, AB, July 4, 2025 /CNW/ - Upstream Strategy Group is proud to announce Damien C. Kurek as its newest Principal. A seasoned legislator and proud Albertan, Kurek will strengthen Upstream's presence in Alberta and fuel the firm's continued growth across the Prairies. Kurek brings extensive experience from his tenure as the Member of Parliament for Battle River—Crowfoot (2019–2025), where he was a tireless advocate for Alberta. Most recently, he served as the Shadow Minister of Canadian Heritage for the Conservative Party of Canada, and the Vice-Chair of the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development, navigating complex policy landscapes in Ottawa. Last month, Kurek resigned his seat to allow Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre to run in a by-election in his riding. "As the Calgary Stampede kicks off, we're beyond excited to announce Damien's new role with Upstream and our continued growth across the country," said Chris Chapin, Managing Principal of Upstream Strategy Group. "His deep roots in Alberta paired with his legislative expertise make him the perfect fit to deliver strategic value to our clients in Western Canada." Prior to federal elected office, Kurek worked under former MP and Minister Kevin Sorenson and in the Saskatchewan Legislative Assembly during Brad Wall's premiership. Raised and still actively involved on his family's multigenerational farm near Consort, Alberta, Kurek brings a unique perspective on the needs of rural communities and industries vital to the Prairies' economy. As a Principal, Kurek will provide tailored government relations, public affairs, and stakeholder engagement solutions for Upstream's clients in Alberta and beyond. His proven advocacy for energy, agribusiness, rural development, and good governance will enhance the firm's ability to serve clients in Western Canada's dynamic markets. "There's no better time than the Calgary Stampede for me to join Upstream Strategy Group," said Kurek. "From the farm to politics, I'm proud to bring my experience to the table. I'm looking forward to working alongside some of the best strategists in the business. Just like the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth highlights our western heritage, I'm looking forward to helping organizations grow and succeed in Western Canada." About Upstream Strategy Group Upstream Strategy Group is a full-service government relations, public relations, and strategic communications firm. Upstream provides a range of tailored services to a variety of corporate and public sector organizations from coast to coast. Upstream speaks the language of government at all levels, we always work to find solutions where everyone can win.
Global News
30-06-2025
- Politics
- Global News
Carney sets byelection for Alberta riding where Poilievre plans to run
Prime Minister Mark Carney has called a byelection for the Alberta riding of Battle River-Crowfoot, where Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is expected to compete to regain a seat in the House of Commons. The byelection was called on Monday, two weeks after Damien Kurek, the Conservative MP for the riding, resigned to allow Poilievre to run. Election day will be Aug. 18. Poilievre lost his seat of Carleton in Ontario during the April federal election. He had represented the Ottawa riding for 20 years. 2:15 Premiers Houston, Ford blast Conservatives as Poilievre faces uncertain future Carney had previously said he would call a byelection in the riding as soon as possible, with 'no games.' Story continues below advertisement A byelection can be held no earlier than 11 days after the Speaker of the House of Commons formally informs the chief electoral officer of the vacancy. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Shortly after the election, Kurek announced he planned to step aside so Poilievre could run in what has been a Conservative seat since 2015. Kurek has won the seat since 2019, getting more than 70 per cent of the vote in each election. While he remains as party leader, Poilievre has been unable to serve as Opposition leader and question the party in the chamber, where Andrew Scheer serves on an interim basis. — with files from The Canadian Press
