The leadership of the Conservative Party of Canada is coming to a vote on September 10, with five candidates in the running.
MP for Battle River-Crowfoot, Damien Kurek, tells the Mail he is hanging his hat with Pierre Poilievre.
“After looking at all the candidates and speaking with many of them I decided to endorse Pierre Poilievere. He is the right choice and I believe he has what it takes to do two things. One, present a strong plan to Canadians, and get that plan out there as much as possible and make sure it is a unifying message that Canadians can rally behind, and two; I truly believe he can defeat Justin Trudeau,” said Kurek.
“Every day I hear how frustrated my constituents are with the status of the current government in Ottawa. So the ability to win an election is important, and I think Pierre can be the leader Canada needs, and also defeat the Trudeau Liberals.”
Kurek has worked with Poilievre and says he is consistent.
“He is hard working and his message never changes. What he says in private is what he says in public,” he said. “His most recent role of shadow minister of finance, he’s incredibly hard-working. He is also very thoughtful. Often that doesn’t come across in the heat of a debate, but I have found him to be very intellectually engaging.”
He says this type of campaign engages voters.
“Every opportunity that political parties have to make sure they are connecting with members of that party is a good chance for engagement, whether it be MPs or local electoral districts, or people involved in the process,” he said. “Over the last number of months, we have seen that process in the leadership race. I have heard from thousands of people in Battle River-Crowfoot, and I am speaking with colleagues and conservatives across Canada that are doing the same. We have six candidates that are planning to be on that final ballot.”
Along with Poilievre, in the running are Scott Aitchison, Roman Barber, Jean Charest, and Leslyn Lewis.
“Whoever is elected leader come September 10, that Conservatives show Canadians that we are prepared to lead our country, repair some of that institutional trust that has been broken, get our economy back on track and a whole host of issues I hear from constituents on a case by case basis that they are concerned about the direction of our country.”
He says the conversation has expanded outside of staunchly conservative circles and more than 600,000 memberships have been sold.
“People want to be engaged in the process,” he said. “There is an excitement out there. People are talking about it, and not just traditional conservatives.”

As Russia continues its aggression in Ukraine, destroying infrastructure and lives, and tearing apart families, some have had the opportunity to start anew in Canada.

The conflict in Ukraine has been going non-stop since February, although now the fighting is more concentrated in the eastern regions.

Kimberlee Groves settlement counsellor for the Drumheller-Hanna area for the Brooks & County Immigration Services (BCIS), says it has been a busy time in the valley, working with new families who are making Canada their home during this time of conflict. She says the community has been very accepting.

“I feel the community is welcoming and very supporting,” she tells the Mail.

She says a quick count reveals she is working with about 15 individuals. She says because there is still an order in Ukraine for men between 18 and 60 to remain in the country to fight, many are mothers with children settling in the valley.

“Most of them are connected with families in Drumheller, But I do have one family that is being sponsored by a local family here,” said Groves. More are arriving this summer.

While many in the community have been supportive donating items for families in need Groves says housing is going to be an issue going forward.

“One thought has been, do we reach out to the community and see if people are interested in having people live in their homes?" Groves said, noting this has been a strategy that has worked in other communities.

“Right now everyone is housed, but I think if we get more, what is that going to look like?”

Tanya Ivanchenko arrived just two weeks ago with her daughters 5 and 9 and is still recovering from the time changes. She is from Poltava, which is central. It is about 120 kilometres from Kharkiv, where very heavy fighting is taken place. During the first month of the conflict, the front was approaching her home community.

“All cities, ven now are being bombed, for all Ukraine,” she said.

She had to leave her husband and extended family, and she and her daughters first fled to Germany in March before coming to Canada.

So far her daughters have enjoyed Drumheller.

They enjoy the daycare, they have a lot of fun with Canadian girls, and they go to the swimming pool and fountain,” said Tanya. “It is a happy time for them. Because the last four or five months, we just stayed at home in Ukraine.”

They were planning to come to Canada in 2018 because her husband has friends in Edmonton, but they were unable at that time.

She came to Drumheller because there was work at the newly opened Happy Dino Play Care Centre.

Goves says so far, many have been able to find employment but some may be seasonal.

She says they have great community support. One example was the donation of bikes. Brad LeDrew put a call out on Facebook for bikes for an arriving family. Mike and Carol Todor purchased a new bike helmet and lock. Kim and Allen Smith also donated two new bikes and Canadian Tire donated three helmets and a bike lock.

LeDrew then had four more used bikes that he pieced together and put them up on bidding wars, with the funds raised to go to three Ukrainian families.

Groves is looking for some support in managing donations.

“ I am seeking a non-profit organization that is willing to take us under their wing. I would like to work with and connect to an organization willing to support the Ukrainian families here and take in donations/fundraising money that we have received already and hopefully in the future receive. Be a place we can turn to issue the funds to families when needed or requested. If organizations are wanting to be involved, they can call me on 403 978 9100.”

In the long term, Tanya would like to make Canada her home and says people have been helpful.

“ All the people have been so nice. It is a good place to live.”