The Conservative leader faces a daunting, multi-year journey to get a second shot at prime minister

OTTAWA — Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is one of 214 candidates — and not even the only Pierre on the ballot — fighting a byelection that was never part of his plan.

Monday’s vote in Alberta’s Battle River—Crowfoot riding, despite the lengthy roster of candidates , should be an easy win for Poilievre. But spending his summer campaigning in rural Alberta was a high price to pay to look Prime Minister Mark Carney in the eye during question period when the House of Commons reconvenes in September.

Eight months ago, polls suggested the Conservatives were a slam dunk to form government. Instead, Poilievre lost his own seat in the Ottawa-area riding of Carleton and his Conservatives su

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