Small-town mayors excited Pierre Poilievre targeting seat in rural Alberta [Video]

The prospective new riding for federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is home to wheat fields, dinosaur bones and Nickelback.

It’s also Tory country through and through.

Battle River—Crowfoot in central Alberta is a long way from the Ottawa riding that was Poilievre’s home base for more than 20 years, as he seeks to regain a seat in the House of Commons.

Damien Kurek, a three-time elected member of Parliament, is relinquishing his seat in Battle River—Crowfoot to allow Poilievre to run in a byelection there later this year, the Conservative Party of Canada announced Friday.

Kurek walked to victory in Monday’s election with 82 per cent of the vote, one of the most lopsided races in the country. Poilievre lost his seat in the Ottawa-area riding of Carleton to Liberal candidate Bruce Fanjoy.

Prime Minister Mark Carney said a byelection would be held as soon as possible.

Mayors across the Alberta region said they’re delighted.

“I’m kind of excited,” said Danny Povaschuk, mayor of …