Spirits were high at the United Conservative Party’s (UCP) annual Calgary Stampede BBQ as over 1,200 Albertans and Conservative party supporters descended on historical Heritage Park Saturday evening at an event promising camaraderie, good food and passionate political discourse. Against the backdrop of the greatest outdoor show on earth, the event underscored the party’s commitment to unity, patriotism, and core conservative values, while spotlighting key figures, such as Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and their contributions to the party’s cause.The event was a celebration of Alberta’s strength and a platform for Conservative politicians to connect with the community..Calgary Heritage MP Shuvaloy Majumdar got the evening rolling, as he energized the crowd, praising the Conservative party as a “strong powerhouse” defined by “iron will” and “unbreakable bonds.” Next up, was former MP Damien Kurek and his wife Danielle. Kurek was recognized for his personal sacrifices, including time spent away from his family, and for his pivotal decision to step aside from his role, recently giving up his seat in the Battle River – Crowfoot riding to facilitate the return of party leader Pierre Poilievre in a by-election to the House of Commons. .“Danielle and I are filled with hope for the future of our country,” Kurek said.“I know the last election result wasn’t the one any of us hoped for. But, the gains we made can’t be discounted. They were undeniable and significant. We sent 25 new Conservative MPs to Ottawa."“None of that could have been done without Pierre Poilievre’s drive and commitment.” Kurek celebrated Poilievre’s energy and principled leadership, saying his “Canada first” philosophy resonated strongly with voters, earning significant applause..WATCH: WS interviews Pierre Poilievre during the Calgary Stampede Parade.Pierre Poilievre in his keynote address reflected on growing up in Calgary, discussing lessons from his youth and his family’s trips to Heritage Park as well as the, “Alberta way” of self-reliance and community support, highlighting the values of hard work, freedom and family. Poilievre emphasized Alberta’s critical role in a strong Canada, vowing to fight for the province’s oil and gas industry, farmers, low taxes, decentralization, and a robust military while advocating for a smaller federal government. He criticized the Liberal government under Prime Minister Mark Carney for unchecked spending, rising deficits, and policies like production caps and potential bans on gas-powered vehicles. Poilievre also took aim at Pierre Elliot Trudeau’s National Energy Program of the 1980s, which devastated Alberta’s economy, and raised concerns about current Liberal immigration policies, citing the admission of 17,500 foreign nationals with criminal records.“Mark Carney refuses to deport any of the individuals, nor has he changed any of the radical immigration targets Justin Trudeau left behind,” he said. .HANNAFORD: No fear, no surrender, Pierre Poilievre not going anywhere.Looking forward, Poilievre went on to outline a strategy of building alliances with provinces like British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Newfoundland and Labrador to boost energy exports and decentralization. Despite falling short in the recent federal election, Poilievre celebrated the Conservative party’s gains of 25 seats and 2.5 million additional votes — the largest increase since 1988. “We earned these votes by talking about what matters,” he said, urging supporters to continue advocating for Alberta’s priorities and fostering a culture free from bureaucratic overreach.“I’ll use my platform to to amplify the legitimate demands of Western Canada,” he said. “We know there can only be a strong Canada when this is a strong and respected Alberta. The era of Ottawa telling Alberta to pay up and shut up must end once and for all.” “Let builders build, let farmers farm, let investors invest, and let parents parent,” he said to thunderous applause.
