By-elections to the 42nd Canadian Parliament

By-elections to the 42nd Canadian Parliament will be held to fill vacancies in the House of Commons of Canada between the 2015 federal election and the 43rd Canadian federal election. The 42nd Canadian Parliament has existed since 2015 with the membership of its House of Commons having been determined by the results of the Canadian federal election held on October 19, 2015. The Liberal Party of Canada had a majority government during this Parliament.

A by-election was held on October 24, 2016, following the death of Jim Hillyer (Conservative, Medicine Hat—Cardston—Warner) on March 23, 2016.[1] Three additional by-elections are pending due to the death of Mauril Bélanger (Liberal, Ottawa—Vanier) on August 16, 2016, the resignation from the House of Commons of former prime minister Stephen Harper (Conservative, Calgary Heritage) on August 26, 2016,[2] and the resignation of Jason Kenney (Conservative, Calgary Midnapore), effective September 23, 2016,[3] in order to enter provincial politics and pursue the leadership of the Progressive Conservative Association of Alberta.[4][5]

The writ for a by-election must be dropped no later than 180 days after the Chief Electoral Officer is officially notified of a vacancy. Under the Canada Elections Act, the minimum length of a campaign is 36 days between dropping the writ and election day.[6]

Overview

By-election Date Incumbent Party Winner Party Cause Retained
Calgary Midnapore as late as March 22, 2017 Jason Kenney      Conservative Resigned to enter provincial politics
Calgary Heritage as late as February 25, 2017 Stephen Harper      Conservative Resigned
Ottawa—Vanier as late as February 19, 2017 Mauril Bélanger      Liberal Death (ALS)
Medicine Hat—Cardston—Warner October 24, 2016 Jim Hillyer      Conservative Glen Motz      Conservative Death (heart attack) Yes

2016 by-elections

Medicine Hat—Cardston—Warner

A by-election was held on October 24, 2016[1] in the riding of Medicine Hat—Cardston—Warner, which had been vacant since March 23, 2016 when Conservative Party of Canada MP Jim Hillyer died in his office following a heart attack.[7] The riding has been held by centre-right parties since Bert Hargrave defeated Liberal incumbent Bud Olson, himself a former Social Credit MP, in 1972.[1] This was the first by-election in the 108-year history of the Medicine Hat constituency. The Speaker's warrant regarding the vacancy was received on March 24, 2016.

Retired Medicine Hat Police inspector Glen Motz[1] defeated businessman Brian Benoit, former Cardston-Taber-Warner and Calgary-Glenmore MLA Paul Hinman, lawyer Michael W. Jones, and party worker Joe Schow for the Conservative nomination, which was held in late June.[8] Cypress-Medicine Hat MLA Drew Barnes, former Medicine Hat MLA Blake Pedersen, and Dan Hein, Hillyer's closest competitor for the nomination in 2015, all declined to run for the Conservative nomination despite speculation to the contrary.[9]

Well-known Medicine Hat businessman Stan Sakamoto was the Liberal candidate.[1]

The Libertarian Party of Canada nominated Sheldon Johnston as its candidate.[10]

Canadian federal by-election, October 24, 2016: Medicine Hat—Cardston—Warner
Due to the death of Jim Hillyer
Party Candidate Votes%∆%
ConservativeGlen Motz 23,932 69.85 +1.05
LiberalStan Sakamoto 8,778 25.62 +7.68
Christian HeritageRod Taylor 702 2.05
New DemocraticBeverly Ann Waege 353 1.03 -8.64
LibertarianSheldon Johnston 284 0.83
RhinocerosKayne Cooper 211 0.62
Total valid votes/Expense limit 34,260 100.00  
Total rejected ballots -
Turnout 44.54
Eligible voters 76,911
Conservative hold Swing -3.32
Sources: Elections Canada[11]

Pending by-elections

Ottawa—Vanier

The riding of Ottawa—Vanier has been vacant since the death of Mauril Bélanger on August 16, 2016 from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (also known as Lou Gehrig's disease). The riding is one of the most solidly Liberal in the country, having elected Liberals both federally and provincially in every election since its creation.

Communications consultant Mona Fortier and former Cape Breton Highlands—Canso MP Francis LeBlanc are expected to run for the Liberal nomination.[12] Other rumoured candidates include Bélanger's widow, Catherine Bélanger, Ottawa city councillors Mathieu Fleury, Tobi Nussbaum, and Tim Tierney, and 2014 city council candidate Catherine Fortin LeFaivre.[12][13]

2015 candidate Emilie Taman, a University of Ottawa law professor and daughter of former Supreme Court justice Louise Arbour, will run again for the NDP. She was defeated in the 2015 elections by Mauril Belanger.[12]

The Speaker's warrant regarding the vacancy was received on August 23, 2016. The last day the writ a by-election can be announced is February 19, 2017, with the election held at least 36 days after the announcement.[14]

Canadian federal by-election, TBA: Ottawa—Vanier
Party Candidate Votes%∆%
Liberal
New DemocraticEmilie Taman
Conservative
Green
Total valid votes/Expense limit 100.0    
Total rejected ballots -
Turnout
Eligible voters
By-election due to the death of Mauril Bélanger on August 16, 2016.

Calgary Heritage

The riding of Calgary Heritage has been vacant since former Prime Minister of Canada Stephen Harper resigned his seat on August 26, 2016 in order to return to private life, including accepting directorships on corporate boards and establishing a consultancy firm.[2] The electoral district was created for the 2015 federal election and has had Harper as its only MP; however, it is largely composed of the former riding of Calgary Southwest which was held by conservative parties throughout its existence.

Bob Benzen, a small business owner and current member of the Calgary Heritage Conservative Association[15] defeated Rick Billington, a lawyer and the former president of the Calgary Heritage Conservative Association, and city prosecutor Paul Frank for the Conservative nomination, which was decided on October 23.[16] Former Calgary Centre MP Joan Crockatt, party insider Alan Hallman, former Medicine Hat MP Monte Solberg, and Dan Williams, a former staffer to Calgary Midnapore MP Jason Kenney, all declined to run for the nomination despite speculation to the contrary.[17] Ric McIver, leader of the Progressive Conservative Association of Alberta and MLA for Calgary-Hays, stated that he would not run.[17]

Rumoured candidates for the Liberal nomination include lawyer Matt Grant, the 2015 candidate in Calgary Confederation, and Chima Nkemdirim, the chief of staff to Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi.[17]

Businesswoman and former Dragons' Den star Arlene Dickinson may also run, though it is unknown for which (if any) party.[17]

The Speaker's warrant regarding the vacancy was received on August 29, 2016. The last day a by-election can be announced is February 25, 2017, with an election held at least 36 days after being announced.[18]

Canadian federal by-election, TBA: Calgary Heritage
Party Candidate Votes%∆%
ConservativeBob Benzen
Liberal
New Democratic
Green
Total valid votes/Expense limit 100.0    
Total rejected ballots -
Turnout
Eligible voters
By-election due to the resignation of Stephen Harper on August 26, 2016.

Calgary Midnapore

The riding of Calgary Midnapore is vacant as Conservative MP Jason Kenney has resigned his seat effective September 23, 2016[3] in order to seek the leadership of the Progressive Conservative Association of Alberta.[5][4] The electoral district was created for the 2015 federal election and has had Kenney as its only MP, however predecessor ridings from which Calgary Midnapore was created had, since the 1993 federal election, successively elected Reform, Canadian Alliance and Conservative MPs.

Former diplomat Stephanie Kusie and local riding association president Jack Redekop are seeking the Conservative nomination.[19]

The Speaker's warrant regarding the vacancy was received on September 23, 2016. The last day a by-election can be announced is March 22, 2017, with an election held at least 36 days after being announced.[20]

Canadian federal by-election, TBA: Calgary Midnapore
Party Candidate Votes%∆%
Conservative
Liberal
New Democratic
Green
Total valid votes/Expense limit 100.0    
Total rejected ballots -
Turnout
Eligible voters
By-election due to the resignation of Jason Kenney, effective September 23, 2016, to enter provincial politics.

See also

External links

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2016/09/18/byelection-date-set-for-alberta-following-death-of-conservative-mp.html
  2. 1 2 Levitz, Stephanie (August 26, 2016). "Stephen Harper gives up House of Commons seat". CBC News. Retrieved August 26, 2016.
  3. 1 2 https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2016/09/20/calgary-tory-mp-jason-kenney-tweets-resignation-letter.html
  4. 1 2 http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/jason-kenney-canadian-taxpayers-federation-alberta-1.3668514
  5. 1 2 http://news.nationalpost.com/news/canada/quitting-federal-politics-stephen-harper-and-jason-kenny-will-get-the-obscene-pension-they-fought-against
  6. "Journalists vying for seat in Commons shows politics changing: Spector". The Hill Times. August 12, 2013. Retrieved August 12, 2013.
  7. Levitz, Stephanie (Mar 23, 2016). "Alberta Conservative MP Jim Hillyer dead at age 41". The Star. Retrieved 27 March 2016.
  8. Gallant, Collin (May 20, 2016). "Tories will choose Medicine Hat-Cardston-Warner byelection candidate in late June". Prairie Post. Retrieved May 29, 2016.
  9. Kuhl, Nick (April 13, 2016). "Interest strong to become Hat-Cardston-Warner MP". Lethbridge Herald. Retrieved May 29, 2016.
  10. Cournoyer, Dave (August 17, 2016). "40 days until the Medicine Hat-Cardston-Warner by-election needs to be called". Daveberta.ca. Retrieved August 23, 2016.
  11. "List of candidates Medicine Hat--Cardston--Warner (Alberta)".
  12. 1 2 3 Mohamed, Amin (November 29th 2016). "Emilie Taman candidate du NPD dans Ottawa-Vanier". http://www.lapresse.ca. Le Droit. Retrieved December 4th 2016. Check date values in: |access-date=, |date= (help); External link in |website= (help)
  13. Fagan, Laurie (September 1, 2016). "Political vacancies in Ottawa-Vanier have candidates mulling a run". CBC News. Retrieved September 2, 2016.
  14. http://www.elections.ca/content.aspx?section=res&dir=cir/dis&document=vacant_2015&lang=e
  15. "Conservatives in Calgary-Heritage choose candidate to replace Stephen Harper". Global Calgary. The Canadian Press. October 23, 2016. Retrieved October 23, 2016.
  16. Cournoyer, Dave (September 18, 2016). "Medicine Hat-Cardston-Warner by-election set for October 24, 2016". Daveberta.ca. Retrieved September 19, 2016.
  17. 1 2 3 4 Levitz, Stephanie (August 26, 2016). "Stephen Harper gives up House of Commons seat". CBC News. Retrieved August 26, 2016.
  18. http://www.elections.ca/content.aspx?section=res&dir=cir/dis&document=vacant_2015&lang=e
  19. http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/stephanie-kusie-calgary-midnapore-jason-kenney-1.3779335
  20. http://www.elections.ca/content.aspx?section=res&dir=cir/dis&document=vacant_2015&lang=e
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