Tight race expected in Quebec riding as voters head to polls in federal byelection

A Liberal candidate, Daniel Gobeil, secured victory in a tight federal byelection in the Quebec riding of Chicoutimi—Le Fjord, previously held by the Conservatives. With nearly all polls reporting late Monday, Gobeil had over 50% of the votes, outpacing the Bloc Québécois candidate Caroline Dubé, who secured just under 33%. The Conservative candidate, Régis Gaudreault, finished third with 12.3% of the vote.

This victory marks the first time the Liberals have won the riding since 2015 and adds to Prime Minister Mark Carney's narrow majority in the House of Commons. Gobeil, a former president of Les Producteurs de lait du Québec, highlighted the importance of having a government MP representing the region amid trade tensions with the United States. The Liberals also won byelections in East Toronto and North Vancouver—Capilano.