Carney calls federal byelections in B.C., Ontario and Quebec for Aug. 31

Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced federal byelections in three vacant ridings in British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec. Voting will take place on Aug. 31, with advance polls scheduled from Aug. 21 to Aug. 24.

According to the Office of the Prime Minister and Elections Canada, the vacant seats include North Vancouver–Capilano in British Columbia, Beaches–East York in Toronto, and Chicoutimi–Le Fjord in Quebec. The North Vancouver–Capilano seat became vacant after former Liberal MP Jonathan Wilkinson was appointed Canada's ambassador to the European Union. Beaches–East York was vacated following the resignation of former Liberal MP Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, while Chicoutimi–Le Fjord became vacant after former Conservative MP Richard Martel was appointed to the Senate.

The byelections are expected to be significant for the balance of power in the House of Commons. The Liberal government must win at least one of the three seats to maintain its working majority. The Liberals currently hold 172 seats, including the Speaker.