On April 13, 2026, Doly Begum won the Scarborough Southwest federal byelection for the Liberal Party, receiving an impressive 69.9 percent of the total votes cast. This translates to 20,114 votes, a remarkable feat that underscores her popularity among constituents. In contrast, her closest rival, Conservative candidate Diana Filipova, garnered just over 18 percent of the vote, totaling 5,300 votes. Meanwhile, Fatima Shaban of the NDP and Pooja Malhotra from the Green Party received 6 percent and 2.5 percent of the votes, respectively.

The byelection results come at a time when the Liberal Party is seeking to solidify its majority government, which now stands at 174 seats following Begum’s victory. This outcome is particularly significant given that voter turnout was reported at only 33.54 percent, suggesting that those who did participate were highly motivated to support Begum.

Begum’s political journey is noteworthy; she previously served as an MPP for Scarborough Southwest under the NDP and held the position of deputy party leader before switching to the Liberal Party. Her transition reflects a broader trend of political realignment in Canada, where voters are increasingly open to changing their allegiances based on candidates’ platforms and community engagement.

In her victory speech, Begum expressed gratitude to her supporters, stating, “Tonight truly belongs to you.” She emphasized the importance of community, saying, “Tonight, we celebrate something so powerful … a community coming together, putting aside their differences to choose hope, compassion, and progress.” This message resonates with many constituents who have been vocal about their struggles and aspirations.

Fatima Shaban, the NDP candidate, acknowledged the shifting political dynamics, remarking, “People have a right to change their minds and do whatever is right by themselves as long as they can get up and look themselves in the mirror.” This sentiment captures the essence of the current political climate, where voters are increasingly prioritizing personal values and community needs over party loyalty.

As the Liberal Party moves forward with its agenda, the implications of Begum’s victory will likely be felt beyond Scarborough Southwest. The party’s ability to maintain its majority will depend on how effectively it addresses the concerns of its constituents and adapts to the evolving political landscape.

While the immediate future looks promising for the Liberals, uncertainties remain regarding how this shift will influence upcoming elections and the broader political discourse in Canada. Details remain unconfirmed about how the party plans to leverage this victory to address pressing issues facing the community and the nation.

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Auguste’s previous victory was overturned by the Supreme Court of Canada in February 2026, leading to this rematch. The court’s decision highlighted the importance of electoral integrity and set the stage for a highly competitive byelection. This time, Auguste received a total of 22,445 votes, reflecting a voter turnout of 50.76%. The election was one of three federal byelections held on the same day, underscoring its importance in shaping the current political climate.

Historically, the Terrebonne riding has been a stronghold for the Bloc Québécois since the 1980s. Auguste’s win not only signifies a shift in voter allegiance but also raises questions about the future of the Bloc in the region. “For me, the difference in this campaign was that people know me now. I was their MP for nine months and they know what kind of person I am and how I work,” Auguste stated, emphasizing her connection with the electorate.

Sinclair-Desgagné, who ran a vigorous campaign, acknowledged the resources deployed by her adversaries, stating, “I congratulate my adversaries and especially the abundance of resources deployed by my adversaries in this campaign.” Her acknowledgment reflects the competitive nature of the race and the strategic efforts made by both parties to secure votes.

Auguste’s victory is not just a personal triumph; it also contributes to the Liberal Party’s overall strength in the House of Commons, bringing their total to 174 seats. This increase is significant as it enhances the party’s ability to influence legislation and policy decisions at the federal level. The Liberal Party’s success in this byelection may also indicate a broader trend of shifting political loyalties among Quebec voters.

Looking ahead, the implications of this byelection are still unfolding. Auguste has expressed her readiness to work for the constituents of Terrebonne, stating, “Terrebonne is ready at the decision table. I’m ready. Let’s get to work.” Her commitment to addressing local issues will be closely watched by both supporters and critics alike.

As the political landscape continues to evolve, the future of the Bloc Québécois in Terrebonne remains uncertain. The party will need to reassess its strategies and voter engagement efforts to regain ground in a riding that has recently shifted allegiance. The outcome of this byelection serves as a reminder of the dynamic nature of Canadian politics and the importance of voter sentiment in shaping electoral outcomes.

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The Ontario ridings involved are University—Rosedale and Scarborough Southwest, while the Quebec riding is Terrebonne, a seat the Liberals narrowly won by one vote in the spring 2025 election. However, the Supreme Court of Canada annulled that election result, necessitating this byelection.

Should the Liberals win two of the byelections, they would increase their seat count to 173; winning all three would elevate them to 174 seats. This potential gain is crucial for the Liberals, as it would allow them to implement their agenda more swiftly.

Recent polling indicates that 53 percent of Canadians want the federal Liberals to win enough seats for a majority government, while 47 percent oppose this outcome. “Just over half of Canadians want the federal Liberals to win enough seats in Monday’s byelections to give Carney a majority government,” a pollster noted.

The byelections follow a series of departures among Members of Parliament and controversial ballot counting, which have added to the stakes. The Liberals have also gained five defectors from other parties, including four former Conservatives and one from the New Democratic Party.

Steven MacKinnon, a Liberal MP, emphasized the importance of collaboration, stating, “The federal government will continue that impulse of working across party lines.” This sentiment reflects a broader strategy as the Liberals seek to solidify their position.

As the polls open from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. local time, observers are keenly watching the results. The outcome of these byelections could redefine the balance of power in Canada’s political arena.

Details remain unconfirmed regarding the final voter turnout and the impact of recent political maneuvers on the electorate’s decision-making process. The coming hours will be pivotal in determining whether the Liberals can capitalize on their current momentum.

The post Canada Elections: Liberals on the Brink of Majority in Crucial Byelections appeared first on News Canada.

The potential for proroguing Parliament has been a hot topic in Canadian politics, especially as the nation approaches three crucial byelections on April 13. Mark Carney, the current leader of the Liberal Party, has firmly stated that he is “absolutely not” considering this option, which would effectively end the current parliamentary session and reset the agenda of the House.

Carney’s comments come as the Liberals seek to secure a thin majority government by winning at least two out of the three byelections in Toronto’s University-Rosedale and Scarborough Southwest, as well as the Quebec riding of Terrebonne. If successful, the Liberals would hold 172 seats in the House of Commons, equating their votes to those of the combined opposition parties.

With advance polls open from April 3 to 6, the stakes are high. Carney expressed surprise at the mere suggestion of proroguing Parliament, emphasizing that his focus remains on working with Parliament to pass legislation. “It has never even entered my thinking, the possibility of [proroguing],” he stated, dismissing the notion as unfounded.

Historically, prorogation has been used without controversy, but its reputation has soured since the 2008 parliamentary dispute, leading many to view it as a political maneuver. Nelson Wiseman, a political analyst, noted that proroguing would likely be perceived negatively in the current context.

Adding to the complexity, the Speaker of the House, Francis Scarpaleggia, is expected to vote to maintain the status quo, which could further complicate matters if the Liberals do not achieve a majority. If they fail to win all three byelections, they may struggle to pass motions aimed at changing committee compositions.

Interestingly, a motion passed in June has locked in committee standings for the duration of Parliament, meaning that prorogation would not reset these standings, which could limit the government’s ability to maneuver legislatively.

Philippe Bolduc, a procedural expert, suggested that while Carney may not be actively considering proroguing, it could still be viewed as a management option for the House. The implications of such a move on the legislative agenda remain unclear.

As the byelections approach, the political landscape in Canada is poised for potential shifts. Details remain unconfirmed regarding how the Speaker would vote in a tie situation if the Liberals do not achieve a majority, leaving the future of the legislative agenda uncertain.

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Bill Blair was previously a member of parliament before his appointment as envoy. His new role comes at a crucial time for the Liberal Party, which currently holds 169 seats in parliament but is three seats shy of a majority. This situation has raised the stakes for the upcoming by-elections scheduled for April 13, which will be held in Toronto and Montreal.

The by-elections are particularly significant as they include the former seats of Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland in University-Rosedale and Bill Blair in Scarborough Southwest. Additionally, a third constituency in Terrebonne, previously held by the Bloc Québécois, will also be contested. This election in Terrebonne is expected to be a rematch between Tatiana Auguste and Nathalie Sinclair-Desgagné.

The Supreme Court of Canada has ordered the by-election in Terrebonne, emphasizing the importance of this political event. Recent polls indicate that the Liberals could potentially secure a majority government if an election were held today, adding further pressure on the party.

Moreover, the political landscape has shifted with the defection of three former Conservative MPs to the Liberal Party, which could bolster their chances in the upcoming by-elections. As the Liberal government navigates this transitional phase, the outcomes of these elections could significantly impact their majority status.

Observers are closely watching how these developments unfold, particularly in light of the recent appointment of Bill Blair. His experience in parliament may play a role in shaping the Liberal Party’s strategy as they prepare for the by-elections.

With the political climate evolving, the Liberal Party is poised to make strategic moves in the coming weeks. The outcomes of the by-elections will be pivotal in determining the future direction of the party and its governance in Canada.

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