Today marks the beginning of voting in three federal byelections across Canada, with a spotlight on a potentially tight race in rural Quebec. Conservative Richard Martel made way for the byelection by resigning his seat in Chicoutimi-Le Fjord to join the Senate. In the previous election of 2025, Martel clinched victory in a close contest, triumphing over the Liberal and Bloc Québécois candidates by a margin of approximately 1,500 votes.
Political analyst Daniel Béland from McGill University suggests that the outcome of this byelection in Quebec will be crucial, as a loss for the Tories could raise questions about Pierre Poilievre’s leadership stability.
Simultaneously, elections are being held today in Beaches-East York in Toronto and North Vancouver-Capilano. These contests will fill the vacancies left by former cabinet ministers Nate Erskine-Smith and Jonathan Wilkinson.
