Voters head to polls in three federal by-elections across Canada

(Horizon Media / OTTAWA) — Voters in three federal ridings are heading to the polls Monday in by-elections being closely watched for signs of shifting political momentum in Ottawa.

Byelections are being held August 31 in Beaches–East York in Ontario, Chicoutimi–Le Fjord in Quebec and North Vancouver–Capilano in British Columbia, filling seats vacated by MPs from the Liberal and Conservative parties.

The most closely contested race is expected to be in Chicoutimi–Le Fjord, where the Conservatives are trying to retain the seat previously held by Richard Martel, who resigned after being appointed to the Senate.

Martel won the riding in the 2025 federal election with 34.1 per cent of the vote, narrowly ahead of both the Bloc Québécois and Liberals in a tight three-way contest. Conservative candidate Régis Gaudreault, Liberal candidate Daniel Gobeil and Bloc Québécois candidate Caroline Dubé are competing for the seat.

The outcome could carry broader political significance for Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre. Political observers have suggested that losing a riding the Conservatives currently hold could add to questions surrounding the party’s political direction and leadership following the last federal election.

In Toronto, voters in Beaches–East York are choosing a successor to longtime Liberal MP Nate Erskine-Smith, who resigned in July after representing the riding for more than a decade.

Liberal Tanveer Shahnawaz, Conservative Jim Syrbos and NDP candidate Shannon Devine are among six candidates seeking the seat. The riding has been held by the Liberals for years, making the contest a test of whether the governing party can maintain its support in urban Toronto.

Meanwhile, the North Vancouver–Capilano byelection was triggered by the departure of former Liberal cabinet minister Jonathan Wilkinson, who left federal politics after being appointed Canada’s ambassador to the European Union.

The Liberals are running Braeden Caley, a former deputy chief of staff to Prime Minister Mark Carney, against Conservative lawyer Stephen Curran, who challenged Wilkinson in the 2025 election. NDP candidate Stephen Tweedale and Green candidate Shelley Luce are also on the ballot.

The Liberals are defending two of the three seats being contested Monday, while the Conservatives are defending Chicoutimi–Le Fjord.

Polling stations will remain open for 12 hours, with closing times varying by time zone. Results are expected Monday evening.