Prime Minister Mark Carney has called for three federal byelections to be held this summer, including one in Toronto.
Voters will head to the polls on Aug. 31 in Beaches—East York, as well as in Chicoutimi—Le Fjord in Quebec and North Vancouver—Capilano in Vancouver, according to a news release posted on the prime minister’s website on Sunday.
The Beaches—East York seat was held by Liberal NP Nate Erskine-Smith, a former housing minister, since 2015, before he vacated it in a bid to run for the leader of the Ontario Liberal party. In May, Erskine-Smith lost the provincial byelection nomination by just 19 votes, which has left his political future up in the air. The Star reported he is considering running for Toronto city council.
The Liberal party has confirmed the nominee for the byelection will be Tanveer Shahnawaz, who ran Erskine-Smith’s constituency office.
Philippe Fournier, editor-in-chief of 338Canada, which provides polling analysis and election projections, told the Star that the Liberals are likely to win Beaches—East York, as well as North Vancouver—Capilano, but that Chicoutimi—Le Fjord is likely to be a close contest.
The North Vancouver—Capilano seat was held by Liberal MP Jonathan Wilkinson, who is now serving as Canada’s ambassador to the European Union. Braeden Caley, the former deputy chief of staff to Carney’s office, will be the Liberal nominee on Aug. 31.
In Quebec, Conservative MP Richard Martel had held the Chicoutimi—Le Fjord riding since 2018, but was recently appointed to the Senate. Daniel Gobeil will be the Liberal nominee.
