Carney One Seat Away from Majority as Voters Go to the Polls in Three Federal Byelections
Since the 2025 election, the Liberals have courted five MPs to cross the floor, with longtime Ontario Conservative MP Marilyn Gladu being the latest to join on April 8.
Author of the article: By Josefine Lukaszek, National Post. Published Apr 13, 2026. A person walks past a placard directing voters outside of a polling station, in Terrebonne, Quebec, Canada, on April 13, 2026. Photo by ANDREJ IVANOV /AFP via Getty Images.
Liberals Eye Majority in Critical Byelections
OTTAWA — Voters are heading to the polls today in three federal byelections that are likely to hand Prime Minister Mark Carney a majority government. The Liberals currently hold 171 seats in the House of Commons and need to win just one of the three byelections to achieve a slim majority. Securing two of the byelections would empower the party to pass legislation independently, without relying on the Speaker or support from opposition parties.
Key Races in Toronto and Quebec
The Liberals are heavy favorites in two Toronto ridings: University—Rosedale and Scarborough Southwest. These constituencies were won handily by former cabinet ministers in the 2025 election. Former finance minister Chrystia Freeland and former defence minister Bill Blair both announced their resignations earlier this year, creating vacancies. In University—Rosedale, Liberal candidate Danielle Martin is running against Conservative candidate Donald Hodgson. Meanwhile, in Scarborough Southwest, Liberal candidate Doly Begum faces off against Conservative candidate Diana Filipova.
Doly Begum, former deputy leader of the Ontario New Democratic Party (NDP), resigned from provincial politics after being recruited by the federal Liberal party to run in this byelection, highlighting strategic moves by the party.
The Quebec riding of Terrebonne is also up for grabs after the Supreme Court of Canada annulled the 2025 election result due to a ballot processing error. Liberal candidate Tatiana Auguste, who was named the MP for the riding until a court decision nullified the result, is facing a challenge from Bloc Québécois candidate Nathalie Sinclair-Desgagné in a rematch from last year’s election.
Political Dynamics and Floor Crossings
Since the 2025 election, the Liberals have successfully courted five MPs to cross the floor, bolstering their numbers and strengthening their position. This includes the recent defection of Marilyn Gladu, a longtime Ontario Conservative MP, on April 8. These floor crossings have been pivotal in setting the stage for today's byelections, which could solidify Carney's control over Parliament.
Voting Details and Expectations
Polls are open today between 8:30 a.m. and 8:30 p.m., with results expected to shape the future of Canadian governance. The outcome of these byelections will determine whether the Liberals can secure a majority, enabling more streamlined legislative processes and reducing dependence on opposition support.
As voters cast their ballots, the political landscape hangs in the balance, with potential implications for policy-making and national unity under Carney's leadership.
