It only took a day between Prime Minister Mark Carney calling a by-election and Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada Pierre Poilievre to make his way to the valley.
Poilievre is a candidate for the Battle River -Crowfoot seat in Parliament. Damien Kurek vacated the seat in order for Poilievre to run. He toured the valley, meeting with people and on Canada Day, tried his hand at flipping pancakes at the Kinsmen breakfast and then took part in the Canada Day parade here in Drumheller.
He is familiar with the valley, growing up in Calgary, and visiting with family and on school trips. He hopes he can represent the riding as well as take on the role of leader of the opposition. He has help.
“I am going to continue to work hard to connect with the people. Damien is committed to staying close with me and keeps me informed day after day with everything that is happening in the communities that make up the region,” said Poilievre. “He is going to be supplying me with petitions so I can introduce them in the House of Commons to raise local issues, and I pledge to continue to be visible and committed to the communities in the area. It is a challenge for any party leader because they have to reach out to the whole country, but on the flip side I will have a bigger megaphone to raise the concerns of the people.”
He values the contribution that this riding makes to Canada.
“This region, Battle River-Crowfoot feeds, powers and protects the country. It feeds through agriculture, powers through oil and gas and protects through the Wainwright military base. Without those three things, you don’t have a country,” said Poilievre.
While it has only been a couple of months since the 2025 federal election, Prime Minster Mark Carney has been visible on the national and international stage. Polling shows support for the Prime Minister rising.
Pundits raise a point that many of his actions appear to have been borrowed from the Conservative playbook.
"It comes down to whether he (Carney) is sincere and whether he can deliver. Mr. Carney actually opposed the Northern Gateway Pipeline that would have been that corridor. He testified against it in a Parliamentary Commitee, he supported C-69, the anti-development law and his entire cabinet and caucus is made up of people who were there with Trudeau for 10 years blocking this region and our resources," said Poilievre. “That puts them in a confusing state because he is now making different promises than his record matches. My job is to hold the government to account, fight for pipelines every single day, repeal C-69, get rid of the tanker ban, the emission cap and the industrial carbon tax so we can really unleash oil and gas production.”

While the next Municipal Election isn’t until October, a full slate of candidates is lined up in Wheatland County, and whatever the outcome, it will have a new reeve.
Amber Link, who has served as Division 2 Councillor since 2017 and Reeve since 2018, announced in May that she would not be seeking re-election.
“This decision marks the end of one chapter, but not the end of service. I remain committed, and energized, to continue leading in new ways. I firmly believe that a strong, resilient economy is the backbone of every thriving community, and I look forward to bringing my experience to new opportunities that support growth and prosperity in Alberta,” she said in a social media post.
Aside from Link, it appears that all of the incumbents are looking at taking on another term.
Incumbent for Division 1, Shannon Laprise, has submitted her nomination paperwork.
In Division 2, Berle Hebbes, a cattle manager at Strangemuir, has filed his papers. So has Jason Wilson, who served as Division 1 Councillor from 2017-2021.
In Division 3, Darlene Davis is running against incumbent Donna Biggar.
Incumbent in Division 4, Tom Ikert, is running for re-election, as is Scott Klassen in Division 5.
In Division 6, newcomer Tony Wafta has declared his candidacy. Incumbent Glenn Koester, who has served the division since 2003, says he intends to run, but has not yet filed his papers.
In Division 6, Rick Laursen, who succeeded Ben Armstrong in the 2021 election, has declared his intentions.
Nominations for the 2025 municipal election close on Monday, September 22, at noon. Election day is October 20.