As the Battle River-Crowfoot byelection nears, Alberta farmers voice mixed feelings about Pierre Poilievre’s candidacy and rural representation.
Rural Heartland Faces Political Crossroads
In the rolling farmland of Round Hill, Alberta, cattle graze under a hot prairie sun as the Battle River-Crowfoot byelection heads toward its Aug. 18 vote. For generations, this has been one of the country’s safest Conservative ridings. Yet as campaign signs dot the roads, some local farmers question whether their voices will still carry weight in Ottawa if Pierre Poilievre wins.
A Leader’s Path Back to Parliament
The byelection was triggered when Conservative MP Damien Kurek stepped down, opening the way for Poilievre to contest the seat. The riding spans thousands of square kilometres and includes more than 4,000 farms across eastern, southern, and central Alberta. Despite a record-breaking 214 candidates — many backed by electoral reform advocates — Poilievre is widely expected to secure victory in this traditional Tory stronghold.
Support Mixed Among Farmers
While Poilievre has been well-received at car shows, community gatherings, and candidate forums, some long-time Conservative voters remain cautious. Harvey Nahirniak, 78, whose family has farmed in Round Hill for decades, fears losing direct access to a representative focused on local agricultural concerns. “He won’t have time to listen to our problems,” he said, noting past MPs were more available to constituents.
Agriculture’s Uncertain Future
Agriculture forms the backbone of the region’s economy, with wheat, canola, and cattle dominating production. Farmers here are grappling with trade instability, fluctuating commodity prices, and rising input costs. Humphrey Banack, a third-generation farmer managing 8,000 acres, says tariffs and market volatility are making it harder to secure fair prices. While he supports the Conservative Party, he doubts this byelection will bring tangible change for local producers.
Loyalty Versus Representation
Some residents express frustration that political loyalty in the riding often trumps candidate-specific qualifications. Nicola Irving, who runs a free-range pork farm with her husband, says many voters “just vote for the blue,” regardless of policy. While she values fiscal responsibility and cutting trade barriers, she worries that deeply entrenched voting habits may sideline fresh perspectives.
A Riding Under the National Spotlight
For now, the riding enjoys rare national attention, with Poilievre framing his campaign as a fight for a “better deal” for Alberta. But as the harvest season nears, many here believe the spotlight will fade quickly after election day — leaving farmers to face the same challenges that have defined rural life for decades.
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