Three Federal By-Elections on April 13: Your Complete Voter Guide for Scarborough Southwest, Terrebonne, and University–Rosedale

What This Means for You

Three federal by-elections are happening on Monday, April 13, 2026, and if you live in Scarborough Southwest, University–Rosedale, or Terrebonne, you have just 11 days to prepare. These are not ordinary by-elections — they involve a historic write-in ballot, high-profile candidates who have crossed party lines, and ridings vacated by some of Canada's most prominent politicians. The outcomes will signal whether Prime Minister Mark Carney's Liberals can hold their urban strongholds and whether the Bloc Québécois can reclaim a seat lost by a single vote.

Based on our analysis of Elections Canada filings, candidate backgrounds, and riding demographics, here is your complete guide to making an informed vote — or understanding what the results mean for Canadian politics even if you do not live in these ridings.

If You Live in Scarborough Southwest

The vacancy: Bill Blair, who held this seat for the Liberals since 2015, resigned after being appointed Canada's High Commissioner to the United Kingdom by Prime Minister Carney.

The key candidates:

Candidate	Party	Background
Doly Begum	Liberal	Former Ontario NDP MPP and deputy leader; crossed the floor to run for the Liberals
Diana Filipova	Conservative	Middle school teacher
Fatima Shaban	NDP	Community organizer; ran in the 2025 federal election
Pooja Malhotra	Green	Community candidate
Peter Koubakis	PPC	People's Party candidate

Why this race matters: Doly Begum's decision to leave the Ontario NDP and run as a federal Liberal is one of the most significant floor-crossings in recent Canadian politics. As former deputy leader of the provincial NDP, her move reflects the Liberals' aggressive talent-recruitment strategy under Carney — but it also tests whether voters reward or punish party-switching. According to Beach Metro Community News, eight candidates are registered in total.

Key issues in the riding:

• Affordability and housing: Scarborough Southwest has a median household income below the Toronto average, and rental costs have risen sharply. Candidates will need to address the federal housing strategy's impact locally.
• Transit: The Scarborough Subway Extension and connections to the Eglinton Crosstown LRT remain priorities for commuters in this riding.
• Immigration and settlement services: The riding has one of Toronto's highest concentrations of newcomers, making immigration policy and settlement funding critical issues.

Our recommendation for voters: Review each candidate's position on housing and transit infrastructure — these are the issues with the most direct federal impact on daily life in Scarborough Southwest. Attend the all-candidates debate if one is scheduled, or contact campaigns directly through the Elections Canada candidate listing.

If You Live in University–Rosedale

The vacancy: Chrystia Freeland, former Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister, resigned as MP in January 2026 after accepting an appointment as economic adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The key candidates:

Candidate	Party	Background
Danielle Martin	Liberal	Chair of U of T's Department of Family and Community Medicine; former EVP of Women's College Hospital
Don Hodgson	Conservative	Party nominee
Serena Purdy	NDP	Community organizer; ran in 2025 federal election
Andrew Massey	Green	Party nominee

Why this race matters: University–Rosedale has been a Liberal stronghold since the riding was created in 2015, but this by-election is the first real test of Liberal support in downtown Toronto under Mark Carney's leadership. According to CBC News, the Liberals recruited Dr. Danielle Martin, one of Canada's most prominent healthcare advocates, signalling they view this seat as a must-win.

Dr. Martin is best known for her viral 2014 testimony before a U.S. Senate committee defending Canadian universal healthcare, and her appointment as chair of the University of Toronto's family medicine department. Her candidacy could foreshadow a future cabinet appointment if she wins.

Key issues in the riding:

• Healthcare access: With Dr. Martin as the Liberal candidate, healthcare policy will dominate. The riding includes major hospitals and a university community deeply engaged with health policy.
• Housing affordability: University–Rosedale includes some of Toronto's most expensive neighbourhoods alongside student housing and social housing — the affordability spectrum is extreme.
• Foreign policy: Freeland's departure for a Ukraine-related role means foreign policy and Canada's position on the Russia-Ukraine conflict may feature more prominently here than in typical by-elections.

Our recommendation for voters: Given Dr. Martin's healthcare background, ask all candidates for their specific positions on the Canada Health Act expansion (which took effect April 1) and primary care access. University–Rosedale residents are uniquely positioned to hold candidates accountable on federal health policy.

If You Live in Terrebonne

The vacancy: According to CBC News, the Supreme Court of Canada overturned the Liberals' single-vote victory in Terrebonne from the 2025 federal election due to a clerical error on mail-in ballots, forcing this by-election.

The critical difference: You will be using a write-in ballot.

This is not a normal ballot. Due to 48 registered candidates — most associated with a protest group called the Longest Ballot Committee — Elections Canada has switched to an adapted write-in ballot. According to Elections Canada's advisory committee, voters will need to write in the first name (or initials) and last name of their chosen candidate.

The key candidates among 48 registered:

Candidate	Party	Background
Nathalie Sinclair-Desgagné	Bloc Québécois	Former MP; seeking to reclaim the seat
Tatiana Auguste	Liberal	Party nominee
Adrienne Charles	Conservative	Party nominee
Maxime Beaudoin	NDP	Party nominee
Benjamin Rankin	Green	Party nominee
Maria Cantore	PPC	People's Party nominee
+ 42 others	Various/Independent	Mostly Longest Ballot Committee protest candidates

How the write-in ballot works:

1. When you arrive at the polling station, you will receive a blank write-in ballot instead of the usual pre-printed ballot with candidate names and circles
2. A list of all 48 candidates will be posted at the polling station for reference
3. You must write the first name (or initials) and last name of your chosen candidate on the ballot
4. Spelling must be close enough for the returning officer to determine your intent — but we recommend writing the name as accurately as possible
5. Do not write more than one name on your ballot

What is the Longest Ballot Committee? According to CP24, this protest group has flooded multiple federal and provincial elections with dozens of candidates over the past five years. Their stated goal is to highlight that members of Parliament should not control the rules governing elections. While the protest candidates are not expected to win significant votes, their presence has forced an unprecedented procedural change that could disenfranchise some voters — particularly those with literacy challenges or disabilities.

According to CBC News, disability advocacy groups have raised concerns that write-in ballots create accessibility barriers for voters who rely on visual or tactile aids to mark a standard ballot.

Key issues in the riding:

• Democratic legitimacy: The Supreme Court overturned a single-vote margin, making every vote in this by-election feel consequential. Voter turnout will be closely watched.
• Bloc vs. Liberal battle: Terrebonne is expected to be the most competitive of the three by-elections. According to the Hill Times, Liberal polling in Quebec has been "historically significant" under Carney, but Terrebonne is traditional Bloc territory.
• Language and identity politics: As a suburban Montreal riding, language policy and Quebec's relationship with Ottawa are perennial issues.

Our recommendation for voters: Practice writing your candidate's name before election day. Seriously — this sounds minor, but with 48 names on the reference list, taking a moment to confirm the correct spelling in advance will make your voting experience faster and more confident. Check the official candidate list at elections.ca.

For All Canadians: Why By-Elections Matter

Even if you do not live in these three ridings, the results will shape federal politics through 2026 and beyond.

What to watch for on election night:

• Liberal hold in both Toronto ridings would confirm Carney's urban base is solid. A loss in either would be a significant warning sign heading into the next general election.
• Bloc win in Terrebonne would be expected but would also restore the seat the Supreme Court took away, reinforcing the Bloc's suburban Montreal presence.
• Liberal win in Terrebonne would be a major upset, signalling that Carney's appeal extends into Quebec ridings that have historically rejected the Liberals.
• Voter turnout in all three ridings will indicate how engaged Canadians are with federal politics between general elections. By-election turnout typically falls between 25% and 40%.
• NDP performance across all three ridings will signal whether the party's new leader, Avi Lewis, is building momentum or struggling to connect with voters.

The News: What Happened

According to Elections Canada, federal by-elections were officially called on March 8, 2026, by Prime Minister Mark Carney for three electoral districts: Scarborough Southwest (Ontario), Terrebonne (Quebec), and University–Rosedale (Ontario). Voting day is Monday, April 13, 2026, as reported by CBC News.

The vacancies arose from three separate circumstances. As reported by CBC News, Bill Blair resigned as MP for Scarborough Southwest after being appointed Canada's High Commissioner to the United Kingdom. Chrystia Freeland resigned as MP for University–Rosedale in January 2026 after accepting an appointment as economic adviser to Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, according to CTV News. The Terrebonne seat was vacated after the Supreme Court of Canada overturned the 2025 federal election result due to a clerical error affecting mail-in ballots, according to CBC News.

According to Elections Canada, advance polling will be available on April 4, 5, and 6, with election day on April 13. Voters can also vote by mail by requesting a special ballot kit from Elections Canada before April 7.

The Terrebonne by-election has drawn particular attention due to the 48 registered candidates, according to the Globe and Mail, forcing Elections Canada to implement write-in ballots for only the second time in modern Canadian history.

Analysis: Why This Matters

Based on our analysis, these by-elections are the first significant electoral test of Mark Carney's leadership since he became Prime Minister and led the Liberals to a majority government in the 2025 federal election.

The political stakes are asymmetric. For the Liberals, losing either Toronto seat would be embarrassing — both were held by senior cabinet ministers with large margins. For the Conservatives, even a strong second-place showing in Scarborough Southwest or University–Rosedale would demonstrate that their appeal in urban Toronto is growing. For the NDP under new leader Avi Lewis, these by-elections are an early test of whether the party can rebuild in ridings where it has historically competed.

The Terrebonne race is nationally significant because it originated from a Supreme Court decision — a reminder that every single vote counts in Canadian democracy. The write-in ballot situation has also sparked a broader conversation about electoral reform and whether Canada's electoral rules adequately prevent procedural manipulation by protest groups.

Historical Context

By-elections in Canada historically favour opposition parties, as governments tend to lose support between general elections. However, new prime ministers often enjoy a "honeymoon" effect that can insulate their party. Carney's situation is unusual — he won a majority just months ago, but the global trade environment and domestic affordability pressures have created headwinds that could suppress Liberal enthusiasm.

What Happens Next

• April 4–6: Advance polling days (if you cannot vote on April 13)
• April 7: Deadline to request a mail-in special ballot
• April 13: Election day — polls open 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. ET (Ontario) and 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. ET (Quebec)
• April 13 evening: Results expected by 11 p.m. ET
• Post-election: If the Liberal candidate wins in University–Rosedale, watch for a potential cabinet appointment for Dr. Danielle Martin — her healthcare expertise could make her a candidate for Minister of Health

Your Action Plan

If You Live in One of These Ridings:

Immediate (This Week):

• Confirm you are registered to vote at elections.ca/register
• Check your voter information card — it should arrive by mail this week with your polling station location
• If you cannot vote on April 13, plan to vote at advance polls on April 4, 5, or 6
• If you are in Terrebonne, look up your preferred candidate's exact name spelling at elections.ca

Before Election Day:

• Bring valid government-issued photo ID to the polling station (driver's licence, passport, or health card with photo)
• If you do not have photo ID, bring two pieces of ID with your name and address (e.g., utility bill + bank statement)
• If you need to register at the polls, bring ID showing your name and current address in the riding

If You Are Following From Another Riding:

Election Night:

• Follow results at elections.ca or on CBC, CTV, or Global News starting at 9:30 p.m. ET
• Watch turnout percentages — by-election turnout below 30% would suggest voter fatigue; above 40% would indicate unusually high engagement

Other Perspectives

Government Position:

Prime Minister Carney has framed the by-elections as an opportunity for voters to "have their say" and expressed confidence in the Liberal candidates, according to CTV News. The Liberal Party has invested significant resources in all three ridings, including recruiting high-profile candidates like Doly Begum and Dr. Danielle Martin.

Conservative Position:

According to Global News, the Conservative Party views these by-elections as an opportunity to test its appeal in urban ridings where it has historically underperformed. The party has emphasized affordability, housing costs, and government spending as key campaign themes.

NDP Position:

Under new leader Avi Lewis, the NDP has focused its campaigns on housing affordability, workers' rights, and healthcare access. According to CBC News, the party has expressed frustration with the Liberal recruitment of Doly Begum, calling it "poaching" from the NDP's talent pool.

Bloc Québécois Position:

In Terrebonne, the Bloc Québécois has framed the by-election as a fight to reclaim a seat that was wrongfully taken through a clerical error, according to the Globe and Mail. The party's candidate, Nathalie Sinclair-Desgagné, is running on a platform of defending Quebec's interests in Ottawa.

Election Integrity Advocates:

Democracy Watch and other advocacy groups have raised concerns about the Longest Ballot Committee's impact on the Terrebonne by-election, arguing that the write-in ballot requirement could suppress voter turnout and disproportionately affect voters with disabilities or low literacy, according to CBC News.

Note: Including multiple perspectives does not imply all views are equally valid, but ensures readers can make informed judgments.

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Corrections Policy

We strive for accuracy. If you find an error in this analysis, please email us at [email protected]. We will promptly investigate and correct any factual inaccuracies.

Updates:

• No corrections to date (as of April 2, 2026)

Sources

• Elections Canada, "Federal By-elections Now Under Way in Scarborough Southwest, Terrebonne and University–Rosedale," March 2026 — elections.ca
• CBC News, "Carney calls byelections in Quebec riding of Terrebonne, 2 Toronto ridings" — cbc.ca
• CBC News, "Montreal-area byelection to use write-in ballots due to dozens of protest candidates" — cbc.ca
• CBC News, "Liberals announce Danielle Martin will be their candidate for University-Rosedale byelection" — cbc.ca
• Globe and Mail, "Terrebonne by-election to use write-in ballots due to high number of candidates" — theglobeandmail.com
• CP24, "Longest ballot protest group returns, targets byelection in Terrebonne" — cp24.com
• Beach Metro Community News, "Scarborough Southwest Federal Byelection 2026: Eight candidates registered" — beachmetro.com
• Global News, "Conservatives nominate candidate in Scarborough byelection" — globalnews.ca
• Hill Times, "Liberals' 'historically significant' Alberta polling holds as first MOU deadline passes" — hilltimes.com
• CTV News, "Danielle Martin named Liberal candidate for byelection in Freeland's former riding" — ctvnews.ca