Pierre Poilievre (and, to be fair, most Canadian political pundits) may assume the northern Alberta riding of Battle River–Crowfoot is his guaranteed safe seat in the House of Commons—but Bonnie Critchley says not so fast. This veteran-turned-Independent candidate is gaining momentum in a riding long considered a Conservative stronghold, and she’s hearing the same thing over and over: voters feel used and ignored. As Critchley puts it, there's growing resentment toward Poilievre and the political establishment that treats rural Alberta like a political pawn.
In Episode 178, we look at why Poilievre's connection to his base may be fraying, what internal rifts inside the Conservative Party could mean for his leadership, and how this by-election may (or may not) send a shockwave through the national political landscape.
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This episode was recorded on: July 17, 2025
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CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction to the By-Election Dynamics
02:50 The Role of Local Sentiment in Elections
06:09 Pierre Poilievre’s Political Challenges
09:00 Bonnie Critchley's Impact on the Race
FURTHER READING
After stepping down for Poilievre to run, MP Damien Kurek lands role at government relations, lobbying firm
https://calgaryherald.com/news/damien-kurek-new-job-government-lobby-group-pierre-poilievre
Independent candidate says Poilievre's byelection win isn't guaranteed
https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/video/9.6831319
Federal byelection called for Aug. 18 in Alberta's Battle River–Crowfoot riding
https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/byelection-called-battle-river-crowfoot-1.7573605
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