Damien Kurek, Conservative MP-elect for Battle River—Crowfoot released the following statement on his decision to resign his seat to allow Conservative Party of Canada Leader, Pierre Poilievre, to run in a forthcoming by-election.

“It has been a tremendous honour to serve the good people of Battle River-Crowfoot as their Member of Parliament since 2019. Their support and commitment to the Conservative movement and our mission to bring back hope and prosperity to this country has been unmatched. Which is why, after much discussion with my wife Danielle, and I have decided to step aside for this Parliamentary session to allow our Conservative Party Leader to run here in a by-election.

“Pierre Poilievre just finished a remarkable national campaign that received the highest vote share since 1988. An unstoppable movement has grown under his leadership, and I know we need Pierre fighting in the House of Commons to hold the Liberal minority government to account. This is what's best for Canada, and is what's best for Battle River-Crowfoot.

“Although it will be hard to temporarily step away from this role, in this region I love and have always called home, the mandate given to me is one that clearly states that change is needed. Offering this seat to our Party Leader is an important step in that process. I started my political career talking about the need for government to be held to account and to ensure that rural Canada wasn't forgotten about, this is a key way to ensure that happens.

“The people of Battle River—Crowfoot will be represented well by Pierre for the remainder of this Parliamentary session, and I will keep working with our incredible local team to do everything I can to remain the strong voice for you as I support him in the process, and then run again here in Battle River—Crowfoot in the next general election. We need to build on the momentum that we have with that strong united vision that will restore the Canadian promise.

Town of Drumheller council has approved amendments to the 2025 Utility, Operating, and Capital budgets, as well as a one per cent overall increase to the previously approved tax rate bylaw following the regular Tuesday, April 22 council meeting.
These amendments are due to several significant budgetary pressures stemming from multiple unplanned water operations repairs at the beginning of 2025, and projected budget shortfalls in both the Operating and Capital budgets due to unplanned repairs and increased costs stemming from ongoing instability due to tariffs imposed by the United States.
Chief Financial Officer and Corporate and Community Services Director Victoria Chan explained that council previously approved the 2025 Utility Rate Bylaw in November 2024, and the budget overages and shortfalls caused by unexpected repairs in early 2025 will not affect user rates. However, it was noted these will be funded through both Water and Sewer/Wastewater Reserves.
A total of $408,000 was requested to support four projects--cleaning and isolation valve repair at the Raw Water Ponds, as well as water main repairs in the amount of $100,000 each; land purchase at 2940 South Railway Avenue in the amount of $188,000; and reallocation of the energy supervisor salary in the amount of $20,000-with $304,000 being transferred from the Water Reserves, and $104,000 transferred from Sewer/Wastewater Reserves.
Along with the Utility Budget transfers, council also approved a transfer from reserves of $443,544 to support an anticipated deficit in the 2025 Operating Budget. This deficit stems from four major areas-an additional $21,000 for IT Services, which was recently awarded to Reality Bytes Inc.; along with an unplanned smoke alarm issue at the Badlands Community Facility (BCF) which required $25,000 to rectify the issue to address the concern, and an additional $10,000 required for an unplanned fire pumper repair.
The Town is also preparing for potential cost increases stemming from the implementation of tariffs by the United States by preparing to use an estimated $106,000 in cost savings from the elimination of the Consumer Carbon Tax to offset these potential tariff impacts.
Two additional projects which were not initially included in the 2025 Capital Budget have also caused shortfalls within the budget. A Design Phase Readiness project for the Hoodoos Parking area, estimated at $250,000, which will be funded through Capital Reserves and revenue from the Paid Parking program, will be added to the Town’s Capital projects, as well as reclamation of Lehigh estimated at $400,000; Lehigh reclamation will be partially funded through a $226,000 grant from the Alberta Drought and Flood Protection Program, with the remainder being supported by Capital Reserves and tax base funding.
To accommodate for the Operating and Capital budgetary shortfalls, council approved a transfer from Capital Reserves in the amount of $150,000 and $212,280 from the Contingency Reserve to support the two additional Capital projects. Council also approved a one per cent increase to the tax rate, bringing the total tax rate to four per cent, which will increase the Operating Budget by $47,000 and the Capital Budget by $424,000.