Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced byelections in the Toronto ridings of University-Rosedale and Scarborough Southwest, along with the Quebec riding of Terrebonne. These races are crucial for the Liberals to secure a slim majority government.
Set for April 13, as stated in a news release on the prime minister’s website, the byelections aim to fill the seats left vacant by Chrystia Freeland and Bill Blair. Freeland resigned to advise Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, while Blair has been appointed Canada’s high commissioner to the United Kingdom.
The Liberals have revealed their candidates for the byelections. Dr. Danielle Martin, a family physician, will run in University-Rosedale, while Doly Begum, a former Ontario NDP deputy leader, will compete in Scarborough Southwest after switching parties, causing some controversy within the NDP.
In University-Rosedale, Serena Purdy, a community organizer, will represent the NDP, and in Scarborough Southwest, Fatima Shaban will carry the party’s banner. The Green Party will field Pooja Malhotra in Scarborough Southwest, Benjamin Rankin in Terrebonne, and Andrew Massey in University-Rosedale.
The Conservatives have also announced their candidates. Adrienne Charles will run in Terrebonne, Don Hodgson in University-Rosedale, and Diana Filipova in Scarborough Southwest.
Voters in these ridings can cast their ballots on election day or participate in advance polls from April 3 to April 6. Those opting for mail-in voting must apply by April 7. Additionally, voters can visit Elections Canada offices in the ridings to vote early.
The upcoming byelection in Terrebonne holds significant weight as the Liberals currently have 169 MPs in the House of Commons, needing 172 for a majority government. The race in Terrebonne is particularly noteworthy due to the Supreme Court of Canada annulling the 2025 election result, which will lead to a rematch between the Liberal and Bloc Québécois candidates.
The Supreme Court decision followed a voter’s ballot being returned due to a misprint on the return envelope, sparking calls for a new election. The byelection in Terrebonne coincides with the Liberals’ national convention in Montreal from April 9 to 11.