Damien Kurek

Damien Kurek
Kurek in 2025
Member of Parliament
for Battle River—Crowfoot
In office
October 21, 2019 – June 17, 2025
Preceded byKevin Sorenson
Succeeded byPierre Poilievre
Personal details
Born (1989-11-28) November 28, 1989[1]
Political partyConservative
Spouse
Danielle
​
(m. 2012)​
Children3
Residence(s)Special Areas, Alberta, Canada
Alma mater

Damien C. Kurek (born November 28, 1989) is a Canadian lobbyist, farmer and former politician who was the member of Parliament (MP) for Battle River—Crowfoot from 2019 to 2025. A member of the Conservative Party, Kurek resigned from the House of Commons on June 17, 2025, triggering a by-election that was won by party leader Pierre Poilievre. Following his resignation, Kurek became a principal at Toronto-based lobbying company Upstream Strategy Group.

Early life and education

Born in 1989, Kurek grew up on a farm outside of Consort, Alberta, the son of Jodi and Jason Felix Kurek.[2][3][4] When he was fifteen, Kurek went on a trip to Ottawa and put a call into Stephen Harper's office. A ten-minute meeting was arranged with Kurek, Harper, and Kurek's MP at the time, Kevin Sorenson. Kurek is quoted as saying, "For a kid who loved politics, that was the pinnacle of everything you could possibly imagine."[5] Kurek worked as a farmer and seasonally in the oil and gas sector. Since a young age, he has also been involved in his family farm near Consort, Alberta.

Kurek obtained his high school diploma in 2008 from Consort Public School. After high school, Kurek went to Eston College, where he obtained an associate diploma in Biblical Studies in 2010. Kurek also holds a bachelor's degree in political science and communications from Trinity Western University as of 2015.[6]

Political career

Political staffer

He also worked for MP Kevin Sorenson and in various roles at the Saskatchewan Legislative Assembly.[7] Before he was nominated as the Conservative candidate himself in Battle River—Crowfoot, Kurek worked for Sorenson's constituency office in Camrose, Alberta.[8]

Member of Parliament

Kurek was elected to Parliament in the 2019 general election. Kurek has served as the Conservative shadow minister of Canadian heritage.[9]

On May 2, 2025, Kurek announced he would resign his seat and step down as a MP to trigger the 2025 Battle River—Crowfoot federal by-election, which party leader Pierre Poilievre will contest due to his defeat in Carleton in the 2025 general election. Kurek said he intends to run again in the riding in the next general election.[10][11] Per the Elections Act, Kurek will be able to resign 30 days after the election result is officially published in the Canada Gazette,[12] which occurred on May 15, 2025.[13]

On June 17, 2025, Kurek officially resigned his seat in the House of Commons.[14][15]

Lobbying career

Following his resignation from Parliament, lobbying firm Upstream Strategy Group announced that Kurek would join the company as a principal, to provide "tailored government relations, public affairs, and stakeholder engagement solutions for Upstream's clients in Alberta and beyond".[16][17][18]

Personal life

Kurek resides in Alberta's Special Areas. He also continues to work on his family farm.[19] Kurek married his wife, Danielle, on June 9, 2012, in Saskatoon[20] and has three sons, Matthew, Emerson and Winston.

Electoral record

2025 Canadian federal election: Battle River—Crowfoot
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative 53,684 82.84 +11.45
Liberal Brent Sutton 7,566 11.67 +7.42
New Democratic James MacKay 2,061 3.18 −6.52
People's Jonathan Bridges 1,022 1.58 −7.75
Green Douglas Gook 474 0.73 −0.18
Total valid votes 64,807 99.40
Total rejected ballots 391 0.60 +0.16
Turnout 65,198 76.49 +4.98
Eligible voters 85,237
Conservative notional hold Swing +2.02
Source: Elections Canada[21]
Note: number of eligible voters does not include voting day registrations.
2021 Canadian federal election: Battle River—Crowfoot
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Expenditures
Conservative 41,819 71.29 -14.20 $82,245.43
New Democratic Tonya Ratushniak 5,761 9.82 +4.71 $1,764.29
People's Dennis Trepanier 5,440 9.27 +6.68 $1,916.25
Liberal Leah Diane McLeod 2,515 4.29 +0.19 $0.00
Maverick Jeff Golka 2,393 4.08 – $28,982.24
Green Daniel Brisbin 554 0.94 -1.76 $234.04
Veterans Coalition John Irwin 178 0.30 — none listed
Total valid votes/expense limit 58,660 99.56 – $135,622.71
Total rejected ballots 260 0.44 -0.12
Turnout 58,920 71.77 -3.66
Eligible voters 82,090
Conservative hold Swing -9.45
Source: Elections Canada[22]
2019 Canadian federal election: Battle River—Crowfoot
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Expenditures
Conservative 53,309 85.49 +4.57 $61,063.42
New Democratic Natasha Fryzuk 3,185 5.11 -1.43 $0.00
Liberal Dianne Clarke 2,557 4.10 -5.27 none listed
Green Geordie Nelson 1,689 2.71 -0.47 $2,467.23
People's David A. Michaud 1,620 2.60 - none listed
Total valid votes/expense limit 62,360 99.44
Total rejected ballots 352 0.56 +0.29
Turnout 62,712 75.43 +3.34
Eligible voters 83,139
Conservative hold Swing +3.00
Source: Elections Canada[23][24]

References

  1. ^ "Conservatives roll on with Kurek leading the way". Bashaw Star. September 25, 2019. Retrieved October 21, 2019.
  2. ^ "Conservatives roll on with Kurek leading the way". Bashaw Star. September 25, 2019. Retrieved March 22, 2023.
  3. ^ https://openparliament.ca/debates/2024/10/30/damien-kurek-1/only/
  4. ^ https://www.facebook.com/dckurek/posts/on-behalf-of-the-entire-kurek-family-danielle-and-i-want-to-thank-our-community-/991640109432904/
  5. ^ "Damien Kurek joins the race for federal Conservative local nomination". Stettler Independent. May 28, 2019. Retrieved March 22, 2023.
  6. ^ Kurek, Damien. "Education". LinkedIn. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
  7. ^ "Meet Your MP". Battle River--Crowfoot. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
  8. ^ Weber, Mark (September 5, 2021). "Meet the candidate – Conservative – Damien Kurek". Stettler Independent. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
  9. ^ "Conservative Party of Canada Shadow Cabinet". Conservative Party of Canada. Retrieved March 20, 2025.
  10. ^ Nardi, Christopher (May 2, 2025). "Alberta MP Damien Kurek stepping down for Poilievre to run in byelection". National Post. Retrieved May 2, 2025.
  11. ^ Peter Zimonjic. "Poilievre to run for Alberta seat after MP-elect Damien Kurek agrees to step down". CBC News. Retrieved May 2, 2025.
  12. ^ "Conservative Damien Kurek says he'll step aside for Poilievre — but by law he has to wait". CBC News. May 6, 2025. Retrieved May 5, 2025.
  13. ^ "Clock starts on timing of byelection Poilievre hopes to use to return to Parliament". CTV News. Canadian Press. May 16, 2025. Retrieved May 18, 2025.
  14. ^ Baxter, David (June 17, 2025). "MP Damien Kurek resigns seat so Poilievre can run in Alberta byelection". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved June 17, 2025.
  15. ^ David Baxter (June 17, 2025). "MP resigns seat so Pierre Poilievre can run in Alberta byelection". Toronto Star. The Canadian Press. Retrieved June 17, 2025.
  16. ^ "Upstream Strategy Group Welcomes Damien Kurek as its Newest Principal". www.upstreamgroup.ca. Retrieved July 6, 2025.
  17. ^ "Upstream Strategy Group Welcomes Damien Kurek as its Newest Principal, Kicking Off Calgary Stampede with Bold Alberta Expansion". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved July 6, 2025.
  18. ^ Tipper, Stephen (July 4, 2025). "After stepping down for Poilievre to run, MP Damien Kurek lands role at government relations, lobbying firm". Calgary Herald.
  19. ^ Kurek, Damien. "About Me". Damien C. Kurek. Retrieved March 22, 2023.
  20. ^ Kurek, Damien. "Facebook post". Facebook. Damien C. Kurek. Retrieved March 22, 2023.
  21. ^ "Election results". Elections Canada. Retrieved August 15, 2025.
  22. ^ "Official Voting Results". Elections Canada. Retrieved August 15, 2025.
  23. ^ "Official Voting Results". Elections Canada. Retrieved August 15, 2025.
  24. ^ "Candidate Campaign Returns". Elections Canada. Retrieved September 7, 2020.
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