Polls open for 2026 byelections expected to give Liberals majority

Voters in two Toronto ridings and one in Quebec head to the polls Monday, in three federal byelections that could give the Liberal party a majority government.

The liberals need to win just one of those three races to secure a majority.

The Toronto-area ridings up for grabs are considered “safe” Liberal seats.

The byelections were called to replace Liberal MPs Bill Blair and Chrystia Freeland, and after the courts overturned the results of the Quebec riding of Terrebonne was won by the Liberals by just a single vote during last spring’s federal election.

That riding is seen as a key test of the Liberal party’s strength and future stability.

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Terrebonne is currently in a tight race between Bloc Québécois and the governing party.

The Liberals stand at 171 seats in the House of Commons after attracting five opposition MPs to cross the floor.

Carney needs 172 MPs for a technical majority, but 173 to effectively govern with one.

Polls open at 8:30 a.m. and close at 8:30 p.m. local time.

With files from The Canadian Press.

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