The Long Ballot Committee doth strike again.

As any Battle River Crowfoot resident is well aware, a federal by-election was triggered after Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre lost his seat in the Ottawa riding of Carleton last spring. Battle River Crowfoot’s Damien Kurek stepped aside, giving the party leader another chance to sit in the House of Commons.

However, an activist organization known as the Long Ballot Committee (LBC) popped some of Poilievre’s balloons in his Carleton loss, packing Election Canada's ballot with over 100 names, all independent parachute candidates who may not necessarily call that riding home. 

Pundits and Poilievre himself were quick to attack the LBC but the average Battle River Crowfoot resident, looking at the letters, candidate profiles, registrations, YouTube videos, press releases and letters to Parliament, might ask themselves: What is this LBC thinking that it’s investing so much effort in what seems to be, in essence, a political fart joke?

A quick perusal of Elections Canada's official by-election data reveals all of the LBC candidates are represented by a single agent: Tomas Szuchewycz. Those wondering why the LBC are battling for Battle River rather than enjoying what remains of the always-abbreviated Canadian summer should refer to this excerpt of a statement Szuchewycz sent to the House of Commons Procedure and House Affairs Committee:  “You have surely noticed, that you, women and men whose names appeared on the ballot (and will likely be put on the ballot again) are the very same who now wield the pen to set the rules by which this contest shall next be played. What a curious situation it is, then, that one who stands to gain from the outcome of the electoral struggle should also be granted the authority to decide its terms. This, we must declare, is a conflict of interest as glaring as the sun, and as foul as a spoiled harvest.”

Philosophical concerns regarding such tactics are as old as politics themselves, the most common and pervasive form among democracies is “gerrymandering.” This occurs when politicians in power alter electoral boundaries to give themselves an unfair advantage which their opponents don’t enjoy in the next election. It’s unethical, some would say immoral, and completely legal. Somewhat similar to what LBC’s opponents describe the long ballot as.

Here’s a look at some of the LBC candidates Battle River Crowfoot voters will see on election day ballots Aug. 18. Please note not all candidates can be introduced due to space considerations and not all candidates had a website or contact information.

Dillon Anderson: A click on his website link revealed a social media account that included his own given name incorrectly spelled and this July 23 statement: “Good morning over the last few days we have come over fire for not having a platform or any basic ideas...”

Nicholas Ashmore: Website link went to a modest black and white site with this succinct message and nothing more: “I am a two-issue candidate running in the riding of Battle River-Crowfoot. I aim to raise awareness of Pierre Poilievre's vote against the Civil Marriage Act in 2005. In my opinion, such a vote is absolutely disqualifying for any party leadership. Politicians have too much say over the system that elects them. We need some sort of electoral reform in this country. Maybe we could start by only allowing candidates who live in a riding to run there?”

Eva Bowering: Eva’s link didn’t go to a candidate website but rather a YouTube video featuring a musical performance by a band called The Famous Sandhogs. Quite a number of LBC candidates linked to Famous Sandhogs videos.

Jenny Cartwright: Her candidate link actually connects to the National Film Board of Canada’s website and to a 2025 documentary which Cartwright directed about a Quebec election.

Abel Erazo-Ibarra: His link connects to a single-page site that simply reads, “Vote for Abel Erazo-Ibarra, I’m doing this out of spite.”

Joshua Wong: Joshua’s site actually had a platform. Joshua noted his key policies included affordable housing and proportional representation, electoral reform stances included an end to the first-past-the-post system, candidates being required to live in the riding they run in and mandatory 101 nomination signatures to prevent long ballots.

And lastly,Nicola Zoghbi: He notes on his website, “I am a dad who's passionate about dinosaurs, even more so than his toddler. Battle Raptor River Crowfoot is home to Drumheller, often called Dinosaur Valley. As your local candidate, I wish to raise awareness about dinosaurs, big and small, meat-eaters and plant-eaters, to inspire and educate the young and old across Canada.” 

One of Zoghbi’s key promises, if elected, is “Dinosaurs for everyone.”