OTTAWA — August 31, 2026 — Voters head to the polls today in three federal byelections in Beaches–East York in Toronto, Chicoutimi–Le Fjord in Quebec, and North Vancouver–Capilano in British Columbia.
The closest attention is expected on Chicoutimi–Le Fjord, where Conservative MP Richard Martel resigned to join the Senate. Martel won the riding in a tight three-way contest in 2025, defeating his Liberal and Bloc Québécois rivals by roughly 1,500 votes.
Political observers say the result could carry wider significance for Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, with a Conservative loss potentially raising further questions about his leadership and the party’s support in Quebec.
The other two byelections will fill seats previously held by former federal cabinet ministers Nate Erskine-Smith in Beaches–East York and Jonathan Wilkinson in North Vancouver–Capilano.
While only three seats are at stake, the results could provide an important snapshot of voter sentiment and the political mood across three very different regions of Canada.