18 Aug 2025: Poilievre/By-election in Battle River–Crowfoot (AB)

[Blackadder1916]

Some of the reports about last evenings' performances.

Thankfully, Critchley took off her cowboy hat.
And no, Poilievre doesn't live in low budget hotel rooms . . . he lives (illegally?) in Stornaway.

‘Pierre’s riding to lose’: Alberta byelection candidates get together for debate

Pierre Poilievre was greeted with cheers and applause by the hundreds of Albertans who showed up to watch a two-and-a-half-hour political debate on a sunny Tuesday evening in July.

www.ctvnews.ca

 

[Remius]

Some of the reports about last evenings' performances.

Thankfully, Critchley took off her cowboy hat.
And no, Poilievre doesn't live in low budget hotel rooms . . . he lives (illegally?) in Stornaway.

‘Pierre’s riding to lose’: Alberta byelection candidates get together for debate

Pierre Poilievre was greeted with cheers and applause by the hundreds of Albertans who showed up to watch a two-and-a-half-hour political debate on a sunny Tuesday evening in July.

www.ctvnews.ca

Not quite illegally. The official opposition can decide who lives there apparently. It is supposed to be the leader of the official opposition but they can decide who can live there.

 

[Blackadder1916]

Not quite illegally. The official opposition can decide who lives there apparently. It is supposed to be the leader of the official opposition but they can decide who can live there.

Then maybe they should amend the law to reflect that.

Official Residences Act

Federal laws of Canada

laws-lois.justice.gc.ca

Leader of the Opposition’s residence

3 Notwithstanding anything in the Parliament of Canada Act, the lands described in Schedule II and the buildings thereon shall be maintained as a residence for the person holding the recognized position of Leader of the Opposition in the House of Commons, in this Act called “the Leader of the Opposition”

Staff of Leader of the Opposition’s residence

8 The Leader of the Opposition may appoint a steward or housekeeper and not more than three other employees to manage the residence of the Leader of the Opposition.

Authorized benefits received as expense allowance

9 For greater certainty, it is hereby declared that any benefit authorized by this Act and received by the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition or the Speaker of the House of Commons is received as a living expense allowance expressly fixed in this Act.

 

[Remius]

Then maybe they should amend the law to reflect that.

Official Residences Act

Federal laws of Canada

laws-lois.justice.gc.ca

Leader of the Opposition’s residence

3 Notwithstanding anything in the Parliament of Canada Act, the lands described in Schedule II and the buildings thereon shall be maintained as a residence for the person holding the recognized position of Leader of the Opposition in the House of Commons, in this Act called “the Leader of the Opposition”

Staff of Leader of the Opposition’s residence

8 The Leader of the Opposition may appoint a steward or housekeeper and not more than three other employees to manage the residence of the Leader of the Opposition.

Authorized benefits received as expense allowance

9 For greater certainty, it is hereby declared that any benefit authorized by this Act and received by the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition or the Speaker of the House of Commons is received as a living expense allowance expressly fixed in this Act.

Sure. But what stops the leader of the house from letting PP or anyone else stay there?

Doesn’t look like there are any restrictions.

 

[Blackadder1916]

Sure. But what stops the leader of the house from letting PP or anyone else stay there?

Doesn’t look like there are any restrictions.

Then I wonder if Andrew Sheer is continuing to claim secondary residence expenses, since he is not living at Stornaway.

From the Commons manual dealing with MPs' financial benefits.

The Prime Minister, the Speaker and the Leader of the Official Opposition may not claim any secondary
residence expenses.

 

[The Bread Guy]

And if you have a little over 2 hours to spare, here's the raw footage of the debate itself.

Candidates Debate in Battle River–Crowfoot Byelection – July 29, 2025

Video courtesy of the Camrose and District Chamber of Commerce and the Jeanne & Peter Lougheed Performing Arts Centre In Camrose, Alta, candidates running to represent the riding of Battle River–Crowfoot in the House of Commons face off in a debate ahead of the August 18 federal byelection...

www.cpac.ca

 

[The Bread Guy]

Well, THAT's good to hear

Fact Check: 'I'm very much alive,' says byelection candidate alleged to have died

An online conspiracy theory recently claimed that a candidate on the ballot in the federal byelection in Alberta's Battle River-Crowfoot riding had died in February. The source for the claim

www.thecanadianpressnews.ca

News of Elsie Kipp being hale and hearty, contrary to conspiracy theorists, also archived here https://archive.is/XwKQg

 

[HavokFour]

Well, THAT's good to hear

Fact Check: 'I'm very much alive,' says byelection candidate alleged to have died

An online conspiracy theory recently claimed that a candidate on the ballot in the federal byelection in Alberta's Battle River-Crowfoot riding had died in February. The source for the claim

www.thecanadianpressnews.ca

News of Elsie Kipp being hale and hearty, contrary to conspiracy theorists, also archived here https://archive.is/XwKQg

This is the Tiktok account in question that started it, for anyone (like me) wondering.

Spoiler: DISINFORMATION AHEAD

@lyndachicamedia

https://www.tiktok.com/video/7531400883859492101

 

[Blackadder1916]

Hoping to preempt any nasties who may wish to disrupt?

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/elections-canada-alberta-byelection-sarah-spanier-security-1.7599854

Elections Canada adds security ahead of Alberta byelection amid reported threats​

Number of candidates in Battle-River Crowfoot led to decision, agency says

Elections Canada has hired security guards in advance of this month's byelection in Battle River-Crowfoot, candidates were told Friday.

More than 200 candidates are contesting the riding alongside Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre, who is running in the riding to regain a seat in the House of Commons.

Last week, RCMP said several candidates contesting the byelection had reported receiving negative and sometimes "potentially threatening commentary" on social media platforms in recent days. . . .

. . . High number of candidates a contributor
In an email to CBC News, Elections Canada said "Canadians should be confident that they can exercise their right to vote in locations that are safe and secure."

"Throughout the election period, returning officers work closely with landlords of polling places to discuss potential requirements, including the use of security guards. They are also in contact with local authorities throughout the election period," the statement reads. . . .

The high number of candidates in the riding contributed to the move, Elections Canada said.

Due to the number of candidates in Battle River-Crowfoot, and the potential for an unusual number of observers and media at the polling sites, security guards were hired as a precautionary measure, in case additional support is needed for tasks such as directing traffic," Elections Canada said.

'Glad they're doing something'
Spanier added that she was told security will be at every advanced polling station and will be present on polling day as well.

(More at link, including comment from some of the candidates)

The hiring of security guards for polling places is not new or even unusual. The practice is not always associated with a threat or perceived threat (on the part of Elections Canada). During the last general election there were locations in my riding where security guards were provided because the landlord (schools) wanted them.

 

[Colin Parkinson]

The snippets of the debate I saw, showed me that PP is still using the same messaging style and it is wearing thin and was out of place. To be fair that is likley 2-3 minutes out of the entire debates, so if others saw a different style I be pleased to hear about it.

 

[ArmyRick]

The snippets of the debate I saw, showed me that PP is still using the same messaging style and it is wearing thin and was out of place. To be fair that is likley 2-3 minutes out of the entire debates, so if others saw a different style I be pleased to hear about it.

Question, what about Pierre's messaging was wrong or incorrect from the April 2025 election? So far, everything he said was on point. His plan and suggestions from then, seem as relevant now as ever. The Liberals have delivered squat and refused to sit parliament through summer to resolve what was a "crisis". I will save more of my criticism for them for the Liberal page. I suspect that Pierre will earn the faith of the party in the leadership review in January, or maybe I will be wrong. Time will tell.

My shaky faith in Mark Carney is very quickly evaporating.

 

[ArmyRick]

Bonnie Critchley would have a much stronger voice if she came across as much less pissed off and bitter (not a good look) and actually put forward more about what she can/will do for the riding rather than "I don't want to even do this...blah, blah..." That is a very bad look, and will turn off many potential supporters.

 

[Good2Golf]

Question, what about Pierre's messaging was wrong or incorrect from the April 2025 election?

That he would still be an MP?

 

[ArmyRick]

That he would still be an MP?

Simplistic reply and weak.

He lost his riding, we all know this. Campaigning across the nation as a party leader really hurt him (and it didn't do jagmeet singh any favours either), however Carney did it as well. In other words, party leaders have to campaign nationally. Bruce Fanjoy, ran a long and well done (and aggressive, which I like) campaign, which did a lot to shake Pierre's base. Not to mention PSAC threat of doom and gloom sure as hell didn't help with all the federal public servants living in the riding. And I am sure a very, small portion of the riding were still bitter about the trucker convoy protest (I doubt it).

Pierre was the first to talk about removing internal trade barriers amongst provinces.
He has been championing for years about tapping into the natural resource sector especially LNG, oil and gas, etc, meanwhile the Liberals are pissing around half heartedly about maybe pipelines and still strongly hinting at "clean/green energy" (Piss off, thats a dead horse)
Pierre spoke up first about finding new trade partners beside the USA, Liberals have failed miserably on this front. And this cozy up the EU? The same EU that just signed a deal quickly with Trump? Ok, elbows up, idiots.

Nothing being hinted at about Bail reform, in fact Liberal Iqra Khalid said openly more than a week ago that "Bail reform alone won't stop our crime..." No shit sherlock.

I could go on and on.

I get it, many of you are cult anti-Pierre/Liberals always right.

Come at me. Go for it.

 

[The Bread Guy]

He lost his riding, we all know this. Campaigning across the nation as a party leader really hurt him (and it didn't do jagmeet singh any favours either), however Carney did it as well. In other words, party leaders have to campaign nationally ...

And, to be fair, only 1 of the two party leaders who lost their seat and didn't become PM resigned. That still seems to be sticking in a few craws , Blue ones included.

Pierre was the first to talk about removing internal trade barriers amongst provinces.

He has been championing for years about tapping into the natural resource sector especially LNG, oil and gas, etc, meanwhile the Liberals are pissing around half heartedly about maybe pipelines and still strongly hinting at "clean/green energy" (Piss off, thats a dead horse)
Pierre spoke up first about finding new trade partners beside the USA ...

And still, in spite of GALATIC levels of fundraising & spending before/during the campaign compared to the other teams, he didn't come out PM or Leader of the Opposition.

Ask the Americans about Vietnam and winning the battles while losing the war.

He has a chance to change the battle plan if he wins in Battle River (very good chance), so we'll see how that goes. I've heard some decent meeting in the middle, less flippantly antagonistic stuff from PP on the tariff thing, but time will tell.

I get it, many of you are cult anti-Pierre/Liberals always right.

I know & hear more than a few True Blue's that aren't happy with PP carrying on - including pretty long-standing Conservatives like the guest David Herle interviewed here (Fred Delorey, worked with O'Toole, Harper & Ford) ...

... so the Anything But Red fanatics are for sure out there, but it may not be as simple as just Poilievre Derangement Syndrome across the board.

 

[ArmyRick]

And, to be fair, only 1 of the two party leaders who lost their seat and didn't become PM resigned. That still seems to be sticking in a few craws , Blue ones included.

Pierre increased the seat count for the CPC, Jagmeet lost more than half the seats, big difference. Conservatives did well, Liberals did better.

And still, in spite of GALATIC levels of fundraising & spending before/during the campaign compared to the other teams, he didn't come out PM or Leader of the Opposition.

And he had to battle the government funded propaganda machine, the CBC and battle the most of the left leaning media. And the Public unions. Pierre had private money supporting his fund raising, the Liberals had a huge propaganda machine (PUBLICLY funded).

 

[ArmyRick]

I've heard some decent meeting in the middle, less flippantly antagonistic stuff from PP on the tariff thing, but time will tell.

The Tariff battle is a damn tricky one to navigate and execute. Mark Carney is finding out the hard way how ornery Trump can be (This has been an advantage for Pierre, letting Carney test the waters with the orange haired Orangutan).

 

[The Bread Guy]

The Tariff battle is a damn tricky one to navigate and execute. Mark Carney is finding out the hard way how ornery Trump can be (This has been an advantage for Pierre, letting Carney test the waters with the orange haired Orangutan).

Guinea pig is such a harsh term, right?

 

[Colin Parkinson]

Question, what about Pierre's messaging was wrong or incorrect from the April 2025 election? So far, everything he said was on point. His plan and suggestions from then, seem as relevant now as ever. The Liberals have delivered squat and refused to sit parliament through summer to resolve what was a "crisis". I will save more of my criticism for them for the Liberal page. I suspect that Pierre will earn the faith of the party in the leadership review in January, or maybe I will be wrong. Time will tell.

My shaky faith in Mark Carney is very quickly evaporating.

He needed to change his messaging to the local issues and not sound like he is talking to the nation writ large at the expense of the locals.

 

[ArmyRick]

He needed to change his messaging to the local issues and not sound like he is talking to the nation writ large at the expense of the locals.

Fair point however how many national issues directly impact that riding? I don't know.