Liberal Government Hit by Resignations as Six Federal By-Elections Loom Across Canada

Canada’s governing Liberal Party is facing a series of upcoming federal by-elections after several MPs announced their resignations.

Prominent Liberal MP Steven Guilbeault has officially resigned from his Montreal riding of Laurier–Sainte-Marie, according to the House of Commons website. Guilbeault, a former environmental activist, left the government following policy disagreements with the Liberal leadership, particularly Prime Minister Mark Carney’s decision to eliminate the consumer carbon tax and support the construction of an oil pipeline to Alberta.

Meanwhile, Saskatchewan Conservative MP Cathay Wagantall has also officially resigned from her Yorkton—Melville riding. Wagantall had represented the riding since 2015.

Several other MPs have either resigned in recent months or announced plans to step down. As a result, federal by-elections are expected to be held in six vacant parliamentary seats over the coming months.

Ontario Conservative MP Larry Brock is also expected to resign later this month, which could add another vacancy.

Under Canadian election rules, once a federal seat becomes vacant, the prime minister has between 11 and 180 days to call a by-election.