Who the heck is Bonnie Critchley?
Veteran. Advocate. Straight Shooter.
Bonnie Critchley is a fifth-generation service member who proudly served 22 years in the Canadian Army. A resident of Battle River–Crowfoot for over a decade, Bonnie first moved to Kneehill County to help with her parents’ horse breeding operation while still in uniform. As retirement approached, she settled in Beaver County, now calling it home with her husband, their dogs, and horses.
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A Trailblazer in Uniform
As one of the first women to serve in a Combat Arms unit in the late ’90s, Bonnie knows what it means to face adversity head-on. She was only the second woman ever to serve as an Armoured Crewman in her unit and by the time she retired, she held the distinction of being the highest-ranked woman in her trade in unit history. She also made history as part of the first father–daughter gunnery crew in the Royal Canadian Armoured Corps. Her military career reflects her values: fairness, resilience, and a no-nonsense approach to getting the job done right.
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​Service Beyond the Forces
Bonnie’s commitment to service didn’t end with her military retirement. From cycling across Europe to raise funds for Veterans and First Responders, to volunteering for mental health initiatives when suicide rates surged among soldiers returning from the Baltics and Afghanistan, Bonnie continues to lead with compassion and action. Now, she focuses her energy on community engagement, supporting local small businesses, and pursuing her many unique hobbies.
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Why She’s Running
A political centrist, Bonnie was deeply disturbed when the leader of the Conservative Party overrode the will of not one, but two electorates, including her own riding. Having witnessed the cost of suppressed democracy while serving in Afghanistan, Bonnie is passionate about fair, transparent elections.
She’s bringing leadership and integrity to her campaign which is unfiltered, unbought, and unapologetically independent. As an Independent MP in a minority government, Bonnie would give Battle River–Crowfoot an unparalleled voice in Ottawa and one not bound by party lines but committed solely to the people she represents.
