Damien Kurek
Damien C. Kurek is a Canadian lobbyist, farmer and politician who was the member of Parliament 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 government relations and public affairs 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. 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." 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.
Political career
Political staffer
He also worked for MP Kevin Sorenson and in various roles at the Saskatchewan Legislative Assembly. Before he was nominated as the Conservative candidate himself in Battle River—Crowfoot, Kurek worked for Sorenson's constituency office in Camrose, Alberta.Member of Parliament
Kurek was elected to Parliament in the 2019 general election. Kurek has served as the Conservative shadow minister of Canadian heritage.On May 2, 2025, Kurek announced he would resign his seat and step down as an MP to trigger the 2025 Battle River—Crowfoot federal by-election, which party leader Pierre Poilievre contested and won 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. Per the Elections Act, Kurek was able to resign 30 days after the election result was officially published in the Canada Gazette, which occurred on May 15, 2025.
On June 17, 2025, Kurek officially resigned his seat in the House of Commons. On December 2025, the Conservative national council bypassed the nomination process, and he was acclaimed as the party candidate for Battle River—Crowfoot for the upcoming election.
Private sector career
Following his resignation from Parliament, government relations and public affairs 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".Before, during, and after his time in Parliament Kurek has remained actively involved in his family's multi generational farm in Alberta's Special Areas.