Damien Kurek says he doesn't plan to stay away from politics for long.

The former Conservative MP recently gave up his seat in the Alberta riding of Battle River-Crowfoot so that party leader Pierre Poilievre could run there.

Poilievre, who lost his longtime Ottawa-area seat during this year's federal election, is hoping that Monday's byelection in Battle River-Crowfoot will put him back in the House of Commons.