Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the opportunity to briefly rise and acknowledge the letter I sent to you this morning outlining my intention to, at the earliest opportunity, which is today, resign as member of Parliament for Battle River—Crowfoot, as outlined in the letter.

It has been a true honour to serve the people of Battle River—Crowfoot over these last years. I will not repeat what I said in my farewell speech a number of weeks ago, but I will simply once again thank the people of Battle River—Crowfoot for the honour of being able to serve them.

I thank my team, both the campaign team and staff, who have become not just people I work alongside but truly friends in this process, and all the volunteers who make politics happen. Of course, I am so deeply appreciative of Danielle, my boys and my entire family.

I will be officially resigning, as outlined in my letter, at the end of the proceedings today, but prior to my departure, I will be voting no confidence in the government. I want to emphasize again that Canada needs Pierre Poilievre and common-sense Conservatives to continue the fight. As I trigger this by-election and Pierre Poilievre works hard to earn the support of the people of Battle River—Crowfoot in east central Alberta, I know that if the people of Battle River—Crowfoot make that choice, they will be incredibly well served by him.

I hope the Prime Minister will honour his word to me and his word publicly that he will call a by-election without delay, which according to my math could be as soon as 11 days from now, on June 28.

I want to emphasize once again that it has been a true honour to serve. I have an incredible team of Conservatives I have come to know and serve with over the last number of years, whether it is those I was just elected with in this election or those I have served with since being elected in 2019. It is an incredible team, and it is truly an honour to call them not just colleagues but also friends. At times, things can get partisan, but across the aisle, there are also those I count as friends in other parties.

As I conclude, I would simply thank everybody who makes Parliament happen, whether it is the translators, the tech people, security or those who often go unrecognized in the operations of how Parliament works. I am truly thankful and grateful for having had this opportunity.

While I intend to run again in the 46th general election, this will be the last time I rise in my place in the 45th Parliament. It will be up to the people, after the next general election, to choose whether I have the honour to set foot back in this place.

As I referenced before in my remarks in my farewell speech, I hope all will fight for Canada, will not stop fighting and will fight passionately, because that is the least we can do for those who send us to this place.

May God bless the people of this nation, may God bless all and may God bless Canada.

Damien Kurek

$606,673.00