OTTAWA — Embattled Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre bought himself some breathing room with a resounding byelection win in rural Alberta on Monday. Article content

Poilievre had just over 80 per cent of the vote, with 99 per cent of ballots counted in Battle River —Crowfoot , holding a 70 point edge over independent challenger Bonnie Critchley . Article content

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Conservative Damien Kurek won 83 per cent of the vote in April’s federal election, a mark Poilievre will just miss.

Poilievre, who lost his long-held Ottawa area seat in April, said in an emotional victory speech that he drew inspiration from the rural Alberta community’s true grit.

“Getting to know the people in this region has been the privilege of my life. In fact, I’ve had a

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