Pierre Poilievre’s bid to return to Parliament could cost taxpayers up to $2 million, sparking debate over who should pay for political comebacks
As Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre attempts to re-enter Parliament through a byelection, the challenge for him is political, but for the Canadian taxpayers will be financial. According to Elections Canada and CTV News, the upcoming byelection in Alberta’s Battle River-Crowfoot riding, where Poilievre plans to run, could cost up to $1.95 million.
The expense stems from Elections Canada’s 2024 estimate of $22.91 per registered voter. With 85,237 electors in the riding, the total cost could approach $2 million.
This marks a significant increase from 2023, when byelections averaged $16.21 per voter. The 11 byelections held since 2021 have cost taxpayers a combined $18.6 million, averaging nearly $1.7 million each.
The move has sparked debate over the fairness of using public funds for a political leader’s comeback.
Duff Conacher, co-founder of Democracy Watch, argues that political parties should bear the cost when a byelection is held solely to reinstate a party leader.
“Party leaders have the power to choose what riding they will run in each election, and if they make the wrong choice or lose, the public shouldn’t have to pay the costs of those decisions,” Conacher told CTVNews
Critics argue that byelections and their expenses contradict Poilievre’s promises because the campaign focused on eliminating government waste. In a February speech, he pledged to “cut bureaucracy, consultants, corporate welfare, foreign aid, and other wasted money.”
Poilievre lost his long-held Ottawa-area seat of Carleton by more than 4,500 votes to Liberal newcomer Bruce Fanjoy. Despite the loss, he has vowed to remain as Conservative leader.
To facilitate his return, Alberta MP-elect Damien Kurek has agreed to vacate his seat, allowing Poilievre to contest the byelection in a traditionally safe Conservative riding.
“It is with humility and appreciation that I have accepted Damien Kurek’s offer to resign his seat in Battle River-Crowfoot so that I can work to earn the support of citizens there to serve them in Parliament,” Poilievre said.
As Pierre Poilievre prepares for a costly political comeback, questions mount about who should pay the expenses and whether taxpayers should bear the price of political strategy.
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This marks a significant increase from 2023, when byelections averaged $16.21 per voter. The 11 byelections held since 2021 have cost taxpayers a combined $18.6 million, averaging nearly $1.7 million each.
The move has sparked debate over the fairness of using public funds for a political leader’s comeback.
Duff Conacher, co-founder of Democracy Watch, argues that political parties should bear the cost when a byelection is held solely to reinstate a party leader.
“Party leaders have the power to choose what riding they will run in each election, and if they make the wrong choice or lose, the public shouldn’t have to pay the costs of those decisions,” Conacher told CTVNews
Critics argue that byelections and their expenses contradict Poilievre’s promises because the campaign focused on eliminating government waste. In a February speech, he pledged to “cut bureaucracy, consultants, corporate welfare, foreign aid, and other wasted money.”
Poilievre lost his long-held Ottawa-area seat of Carleton by more than 4,500 votes to Liberal newcomer Bruce Fanjoy. Despite the loss, he has vowed to remain as Conservative leader.
To facilitate his return, Alberta MP-elect Damien Kurek has agreed to vacate his seat, allowing Poilievre to contest the byelection in a traditionally safe Conservative riding.
“It is with humility and appreciation that I have accepted Damien Kurek’s offer to resign his seat in Battle River-Crowfoot so that I can work to earn the support of citizens there to serve them in Parliament,” Poilievre said.
As Pierre Poilievre prepares for a costly political comeback, questions mount about who should pay the expenses and whether taxpayers should bear the price of political strategy.
