With a fourth defection to the Liberal benches on Wednesday and three byelections called for mid-April, the federal Liberals are likely on the verge of a parliamentary majority. Victories in two of three April 13 byelections will secure a razor-thin Liberal majority government of 172 seats. Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the three byelections in a statement from the PMO on March 8. Bill Blair, also a former Liberal MP and minister of national defence, left the riding of Scarborough Southwest vacant, when he was appointed Canada’s high commissioner to the United Kingdom. But without the vote of the present holder of the office, Liberal MP Francis Scarpaleggia, a Liberal majority of one still means a deadlock.

Source: National Post March 11, 2026 20:37 UTC