Voters in two Ontario ridings and one in Quebec are participating in federal byelections that could significantly impact the Liberal Party’s quest for a majority government. The Liberals need to win just one of these byelections to secure a majority, currently holding 171 seats in the House of Commons.
The Ontario ridings involved are University—Rosedale and Scarborough Southwest, while the Quebec riding is Terrebonne, which the Liberals narrowly won by just one vote in the spring 2025 election. However, the Supreme Court of Canada annulled the election result in Terrebonne, necessitating this byelection.
If the Liberals win two of the byelections, they will increase their seat count to 173, and if they win all three, they will hold 174 seats. This potential gain is crucial as 53 percent of Canadians want the federal Liberals to win enough seats for a majority government, according to a recent poll.
Polls will open from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. local time for the byelections, which are seen as vital for the Liberals to implement their agenda more swiftly. The party has recently gained five defectors, including four former Conservatives and one from the New Democratic Party, further strengthening their position.
Steven MacKinnon, a Liberal MP, stated, “The federal government will continue that impulse of working across party lines,” reflecting the party’s strategy moving forward. Observers note that the byelections follow a number of MP departures and controversial ballot counting, adding to the stakes of the current political landscape.
As the results unfold, the implications for Mark Carney, the Liberal leader, and his government could be significant. Just over half of Canadians want the federal Liberals to win enough seats in Monday’s byelections to give Carney a majority government, indicating a strong public interest in the outcome.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding the final voter turnout and the impact of recent political developments on the byelection results. The coming hours will be critical as the nation watches closely to see how these byelections will shape the future of Canadian politics.
