Voting is currently taking place in three federal byelections, a process initiated on Monday amidst the backdrop of an escalating trade war with the United States. Public attention is particularly focused on a potentially close race occurring in rural Quebec, following the resignation of Conservative Richard Martel from his seat in Chicoutimi-Le Fjord, as he moves on to the Senate.
Martel previously secured his seat in a tightly contested three-way race in 2025, winning by a narrow margin of approximately 1,500 votes against Liberal and Bloc Québécois candidates. This byelection presents a significant challenge for the Conservative Party, and according to McGill University political science professor Daniel Béland, losing this seat could bolster the narrative surrounding Pierre Poilievre’s troubled leadership.
In addition to the race in Quebec, elections are being held in the Toronto riding of Beaches-East York and North Vancouver-Capilano, both of which are aimed at filling positions vacated by former cabinet ministers Nate Erskine-Smith and Jonathan Wilkinson, respectively. Wilkinson recently opted for a new role as Canada’s ambassador to the European Union. Meanwhile, Erskine-Smith, who was previously considered for a run for provincial leadership, is now vying for a Toronto City Council seat in the upcoming municipal elections scheduled for October 26 across Ontario.
The riding of Beaches-East York is traditionally seen as a Liberal stronghold, which adds an extra layer of intensity to the byelection competition. One voter, who participated in the advance voting, expressed uncertainty about the outcome but noted the riding's historical leaning towards Liberal and NDP candidates. Another voter emphasized the importance of casting a ballot, stating that the opportunity to express one’s preferences can shape the direction of the city.
Data from Elections Canada indicates that there was a strong turnout for advance voting, with total votes of 11,800 in Beaches-East York, 11,000 in Chicoutimi-Le Fjord, and 16,700 in North Vancouver-Capilano. These figures suggest high engagement from the electorate, pointing to the elections' significance in determining future representation in these ridings.
The deadlines for voting on election day are set for 9:30 p.m. ET in both Chicoutimi-Le Fjord and Beaches-East York, while the deadline for North Vancouver-Capilano is at 10 p.m. ET. The federal Liberal Party is in a crucial position, needing to secure victory in just one out of the three contested ridings to maintain a majority in the House of Commons. Based on the current party standings, the Liberals hold 170 seats.
