A byelection will be held on Monday, April 13 in the federal Quebec riding of Terrebonne, Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced.

The announcement of the Terrebonne byelection as well as two in Toronto on the same date, in the ridings of University-Rosedale and Scarborough Southwest, was made Sunday by the Prime Minister’s Office.

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The Quebec vote is prompted by a Feb. 13 Supreme Court decision annulling the result of the April 2025 election in the Terrebonne riding because of an error by an Elections Canada employee. A judicial recount gave Auguste a single-vote win over Sinclair-Desgagné — but a Bloc Québécois voter whose mail-in ballot was returned because Elections Canada had used an incorrect postal code put the result in doubt.

Both parties announced they are re-nominating the candidates, as has the Green Party, which is running its 2025 candidate Benjamin Rankin again. The other parties have yet to confirm their candidates for Terrebonne.

Chrystia Freeland, a longtime member of Parliament for University-Rosedale and a former deputy prime minister in the government of Justin Trudeau, vacated her seat in the House of Commons in January to take on an unpaid role as an adviser on economic issues to the president of Ukraine.

Former Liberal cabinet minister Bill Blair announced his resignation as MP for Scarborough Southwest in February to accept an appointment as Canada’s new high commissioner to the United Kingdom. His appointment takes effect in the spring.

The federal Liberal party holds 169 seats in the House of Commons, three short of the 172 seats required for a majority. The Bloc, with 22 seats, is the third-largest party, behind the Liberals and the Conservative party.

Headline: Elections Canada Announces Byelections in Quebec and Ontario

In a significant political update, Chief Electoral Officer Stéphane Carney has announced upcoming byelections for the Quebec riding of Terrebonne, along with two ridings in Toronto. The dates for these crucial votes, which will fill vacant parliamentary seats, have been scheduled for November 27, 2023. The decision comes in response to recent resignations that prompted the need for immediate electoral action to maintain representation in these key areas.

The byelection in Terrebonne became necessary following the resignation of Parti Québécois (PQ) Member of the National Assembly (MNA) and former minister, who vacated the seat to pursue other opportunities. In Toronto, the need for byelections was triggered by the departures of Liberal MPs, whose exits have left their ridings without representation. With the announcement now made, political actors and constituents alike are preparing for a potentially lively campaign season, setting the stage for intense battles among various parties in these critical regions.

The importance of these byelections cannot be understated; they will not only determine the future political landscape of these ridings but also carry implications for the overall governance of Canada. Historically, byelections can significantly influence the momentum of political parties leading up to the next general election, and this round is expected to follow suit.

In Terrebonne, candidates will be looking to capture the support of the region’s diverse electorate, which has shifted in recent years. With the possibility of a fragmented vote amid rising support for smaller parties, major players like the PQ, Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ), and even the Quebec Liberal Party will need to strategize effectively to secure their political future.

Meanwhile, the two Toronto ridings will likely be battlegrounds for the Liberal Party as they aim to retain their seats amidst growing opposition. The New Democratic Party (NDP) and the Conservative Party will undoubtedly be eyeing these opportunities as they seek to expand their political presence in Canada’s most populous city, which has seen a demographic shift that could play a pivotal role in the byelection results.

As political parties gear up for what promises to be a vibrant campaign season, voters will also be paying close attention to the issues that matter most to them. Discussions around healthcare, affordability, and climate change are expected to dominate the agenda, with each candidate positioning their platforms to resonate with constituents.

Election analysts have speculated on several factors that might influence the outcomes in these byelections. For instance, high voter turnout, which historically benefits the governing party, may be essential for the Liberals in Toronto as they try to maintain their current seats. Conversely, a low turnout could signal disillusionment with the party, giving new challengers a foothold.

In Terrebonne, the battle for the MNA seat may revolve around local issues, including infrastructure development and provincial policy decisions. Candidates who manage to effectively engage with community concerns may find themselves at an advantage, as local dynamics often hold significant sway over voter turnout and decision-making.

Political experts agree that these byelections are not just local affairs but have broader implications for the national political landscape. "Byelections are often seen as a referendum on the sitting government’s policies and public opinion," noted political analyst Marie-Claude Beaulieu. "The results in these ridings could provide insight into the electorate’s sentiment as we approach the next federal election."

The announcement has also stirred speculation about potential shifts in party leadership and policy, particularly ahead of an expected general election in 2025. As candidates begin their campaigns, how they address not just local issues but national concerns may determine their success at the ballot box.

Social media is expected to play a major role in campaigning for these byelections, with candidates leveraging platforms to reach a broader audience. Given the growing influence of digital engagement in this electoral landscape, strategic online campaigns will likely be essential for candidates aiming to capture the attention of younger voters, who are increasingly pivotal in shaping electoral outcomes.

The upcoming byelections also serve as a reminder of the ongoing need for public engagement in the democratic process. With the political tenor in Canada becoming increasingly polarized, the role of informed and active constituents cannot be underestimated. Voter education initiatives will be crucial in ensuring that residents of Terrebonne and the Toronto ridings understand their electoral choices.

As we approach the byelection dates, all eyes will be on these ridings, where the stakes are high, and the political atmosphere is charged with energy. The outcomes will not only determine the immediate representation of these areas in Parliament but could also herald a shift in political dynamics leading to the next general election.

In conclusion, with byelections called for the Quebec riding of Terrebonne and two crucial Toronto ridings, the months ahead promise to be a period of heightened political activity and voter engagement. The need for effective representation and addressing the pressing concerns of constituents will be paramount as candidates from various parties make their pitches. As the electorate prepares to cast their ballots on November 27, 2023, the implications of these byelections will resonate far beyond the borders of these regions. All participants in this democratic process must remain vigilant, informed, and engaged as they contemplate their options at the polls.

OTTAWA — Bloc Québécois House Leader Christine Normandin dismissed the idea that her party may be the one to block Prime Minister Mark Carney’s path to forming a majority government in a crucial byelection held in the suburbs of Montreal next month.

“The idea of halting a majority is a narrative that is, of course, not ours,” Normandin said on Monday. “What we’re hearing on the ground… is that people in Terrebonne want a voice to represent them in Parliament, not a voice to represent the government in Terrebonne.”

Terrebonne is a largely francophone riding located north-east of Montreal that has voted Bloc in every federal election since 1993 — except last year, when Liberal candidate Tatiana Auguste beat Bloc incumbent Nathalie Sinclair-Desgagné by one vote after a judicial recount.

Last month, the Supreme Court of Canada annulled the vote in the riding after it was found that a Bloc voter had her mail-in ballot returned to her because of a misprint on the return envelope. Therefore, the highest court of the country ordered a redo of the vote.

Carney announced on Sunday that three byelections would take place on April 13. That includes two Toronto-area byelections, which are safe Liberal seats, and Terrebonne. The Liberals need to win all three to hold a one-person majority of 172 seats in Parliament.

Philippe J. Fournier, founder of the polling aggregator website 338Canada, said it was a “stroke of genius” for the Liberals to call for a byelection to be held on the Monday after their party convention in Montreal, which will mean lots of exposure prior to the vote.

With Carney’s government riding high in the polls, even in Quebec, having that media visibility for the Liberal leader in those final days will only be beneficial for his party as voters are headed to the polls, said Fournier.

“So, if the Liberals can’t win Terrebonne under these conditions, they probably will never win it again,” he said.

But voters in the riding have a long history of voting for different shades of blue. Provincially, the Parti Québécois won a byelection in Terrebonne last year, defeating the governing CAQ. Terrebonne Mayor Mathieu Traversy was also previously a PQ representative.

Still, Fournier’s projections indicate for now a toss-up between the Bloc and the Liberals. He said the end result will come down to the ground game in Terrebonne for each party.

“What we’ve been hearing on the ground, when we’re knocking on doors — and I’ve been doing lots of that — are very local questions,” said the Bloc’s Normandin.

She mentioned the concerns around expropriations in Terrebonne, where the high-speed rail project is set to pass, or the calls for a public inquiry into the CURAM benefit payment software, which the Bloc said has affected Old Age Security payments for seniors.

“Those are questions that matter to the people of Terrebonne,” said Normandin.

“It’s not up to them to give a majority to a government that’s already acting like a majority government,” she added.

The Supreme Court of Canada on Friday granted an appeal by a Bloc Québécois candidate who lost the federal election in Terrebonne riding by a single vote, vacating the seat and requiring a byelection to determine the winner.

Liberal Tatiana Auguste won the seat in the April 28 general election after a judicial recount, but Bloc Québécois candidate Nathalie Sinclair-Desgagné appealed to the courts, who found in Auguste’s favour. Auguste has been sitting as the MP for the riding since she was sworn in on May 22.

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Elections Canada said Friday a byelection will be called within 180 days to fill the seat and it is ready to administer that byelection.

Sinclair-Desgagné let out a long sigh of relief shortly after she heard the ruling, announced from the bench following a hearing earlier on Friday. Chief Justice Richard Wagner simply announced the decision reflected the opinion of the majority of the nine justices, and the reasons would be specified in a written decision to be released later.

“The Supreme Court decided today that every vote counts, that one person’s vote is not worth more than another person’s vote, and that, in the event of a tie, the election must be rerun,” Sinclair-Desgagné said outside the courtroom, adding she was reassured by this “victory for democracy.”

“Until today, there was someone sitting who, nevertheless, lacked the legitimacy to do so. Fortunately, that has been rectified today,” she declared.

In a written statement, Bloc Québécois president Suzanne Proulx praised her candidate’s long battle and the fact the country’s highest court confirmed through its decision the right to vote is fundamental to a democracy. The party is now calling for the byelection to be called “without delay.”

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As for the Liberals, their spokesperson, Matteo Rossi, stated the party respects “the decision and the institutions that reinforce the great confidence Canadians have in the integrity of our electoral process.” He declared his party is ready to fight again in Terrebonne.

On election night, the riding’s lead swung back and forth, and final preliminary results showed a narrow 25-vote win for Auguste. But when the tallies were validated, they showed a 44-vote lead for Sinclair-Desgagné, who was the incumbent MP.

A judicial recount followed, which flipped the result back to Auguste by a single vote.

The results were complicated after it was revealed an error by an Elections Canada employee put the wrong postal code on some special mail-in ballots, and one voter, Emmanuelle Bossé, whose ballot was returned to her after election day revealed she had voted for the Bloc.

Sworn statements filed in the case show an election employee discovered he had mistakenly printed his own postal code on several special ballots about three weeks before election day. He estimated a minimum of 40 envelopes had gone out with the wrong postal code. The employee said he didn’t deem it necessary to inform his superior of the mistake because the number of ballots returned to the elections office wasn’t higher than during past elections.