Advance Polls Open in Key Canadian Byelections Ahead of April 13 Vote

Advance polling has officially begun for three significant federal byelections in Canada, marking the start of voting in contests that could impact the balance of power in the House of Commons.

Elections Canada confirmed that early voting opened Friday morning in the ridings of Scarborough Southwest and University Rosedale in the Greater Toronto Area, along with Terrebonne in Quebec. Voters in these constituencies will head to the polls on April 13 to elect new members of Parliament.

The two Toronto-area ridings, traditionally considered Liberal strongholds, are holding byelections following the departure of high-profile cabinet ministers. Bill Blair vacated his seat after being appointed Canada’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom. Meanwhile, Chrystia Freeland stepped down to take on several international roles, including serving as an economic adviser to Ukraine’s president and leading the Rhodes Trust.

In Quebec, the Terrebonne race has drawn particular attention due to its unusual circumstances. The initial result from last year’s election was decided by a razor-thin margin of just one vote in favor of the Liberals. However, the outcome was challenged in court after it emerged that some mail-in ballots were never counted because they carried an incorrect return address.

Earlier this year, the Supreme Court of Canada nullified the original result, prompting a fresh vote in the riding.

The stakes are high for the governing Liberals. A clean sweep in all three byelections would bring their total to 173 seats enough to secure a majority in the House of Commons.

Advance polling will continue over four days, running from Friday through Monday, with voting hours set from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Eastern Time. Eligible voters also have the option to cast their ballots at any Elections Canada office up until the Tuesday preceding election day.

To participate, individuals must be Canadian citizens, at least 18 years old on election day, and able to verify their identity and address. Accepted identification includes a driver’s licence or any government-issued card displaying a voter’s photo, name, and current address.

For those without standard identification, Elections Canada allows an alternative process. Voters can declare their identity and address in writing, provided they are accompanied by a registered voter from the same polling station who can vouch for them. Each person is permitted to vouch for only one individual, except in long-term care facilities.

As the advance polling period unfolds, attention will be closely focused on voter turnout and early indicators of support, particularly in Terrebonne, where the rerun election follows an unprecedented judicial decision.