BYELECTIONS: Voters to make their voices heard Monday

Voters will head to the polls on Monday in three federal by-elections, with the ongoing trade war between Canada and the United States likely to be a significant concern for many. These votes are occurring in British Columbia, Ontario, and Quebec, following the resignations and departures of their respective MPs.

In British Columbia, the Liberals are aiming to retain their North Vancouver-Capilano seat, which has been held by the party since 2015. This constituency was previously represented by long-serving MP and minister Jonathan Wilkinson, who recently took up the role of Canada's ambassador to the European Union. Wilkinson has held various ministerial positions, including Fisheries, Oceans, and the Canadian Coast Guard, Environment and Climate Change, and Energy and Natural Resources, before being removed from cabinet following the 2025 federal election.

Running for the Liberals in this riding is Braeden Caley, who previously served as Prime Minister Mark Carney's deputy chief of staff and a senior staff member during his election campaign. However, Stephen Curran, a commercial lawyer who faced Wilkinson in the last election, is also contesting as a Conservative. Curran has aired attack ads on social media, questioning Caley's ties to the community.

For the NDP, Stephen Tweedale, a party staffer for the local MLA, is seeking the nomination, while Shelley Luce, an environmental scientist, is representing the Green Party. The Green Party has struggled nationally, having received only four percent of the vote in 2025.

In Ontario, Nate Erskine-Smith's former seat in Beaches-East York is up for grabs. Erskine-Smith, a Liberal known for his outspoken nature, held a ministerial position briefly under Justin Trudeau's leadership before returning to backbench status. He is now focused on running for Toronto city council after failing to secure the provincial Liberal candidacy.

Tanveer Shahnawaz, Erskine-Smith's former constituency office manager, is running for the Liberals, with Shannon Devine, a third-place finisher in 2025, and Tanveer Shahnawaz opposing him. Jim Sybros, representing the Conservatives, and Bruce Livesey, the Greens' candidate, are also in the mix.

The third by-election to watch is in Chicoutimi-Le Fjord, a riding that became vacant upon Prime Minister Carney's appointment of Conservative MP Richard Martel to the Senate. Martel narrowly won this constituency in 2025, defeating candidates from the Bloc Quebecois and the Liberals. The Liberal candidate, Daniel Gobeil, is a dairy farmer and former president of a provincial dairy association.

Regis Gaudreault, a lawyer and teacher, is the Conservative candidate, Caroline Dube, who previously worked for Bloc MP Mario Simard, is running for the Bloc Quebecois, Nathe Perrone is representing the Greens, and Raphael Emond is the NDP's candidate.

Elections Canada issued a reminder to voters in the Saguenay region, where the riding is located, that this by-election is for the federal riding as the province has a provincial riding with the same name that will hold a provincial election on September 26. The region has been particularly affected by U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs, impacting industries such as aluminum production, forestry, and dairy farming.

However, according to a recent Ipsos poll, 65 percent of B.C., Ontario, and Quebec residents support standing firm against the U.S. proposed deal, even if it means facing higher tariffs and economic costs.