2023 Kanata—Carleton provincial by-election

A by-election for the provincial riding of Kanata—Carleton in Ontario was held on July 27, 2023, to elect a new member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario following the resignation of Progressive Conservative MPP and cabinet minister Merrilee Fullerton.[1]

2023 Kanata—Carleton provincial by-election

← 2022 July 27, 2023 (2023-07-27) 44th →

Riding of Kanata—Carleton
Turnout35.14%
  First party Second party Third party
 
PC
NDP
Candidate Karen McCrimmon Sean Webster Melissa Coenraad
Party Liberal Progressive Conservative New Democratic
Last election 23.42% 43.61% 24.24%
Popular vote 11,214 10,416 9,560
Percentage 34.53% 32.07% 29.43%
Swing Increase 10.94% Decrease 11.27% Increase 5.44%


MPP before election

Merrilee Fullerton
Progressive Conservative

Elected MPP

Karen McCrimmon
Liberal

The election was held on the same day as another in Scarborough—Guildwood.[2]

Background

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Kanata—Carleton is a riding on the outskirts of Ottawa containing both suburban and rural voters.[3] It roughly contains the former city of Kanata and the former Township of West Carleton. Ridings containing Kanata and West Carleton have voted Conservative in every provincial election since 1871 except in 1919. However, the federal Liberals have represented the riding, which shares the same boundaries since its creation in 2015.

Candidates

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Five candidates filed for the election.[4]

Campaign

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An all-candidates debate was held on July 13. PC candidate Sean Webster was criticized for not participating. The Webster campaign indicated that he decided to spend the time canvassing instead. Tory candidates not showing up for all-candidate debates was a common occurrence during the 2022 Ontario general election.[6]

Issues in the race include health care, housing and the proposed development on the site of the Kanata Golf and Country Club.[6]

Results

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Ontario provincial by-election, 27 July 2023: Kanata—Carleton
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Karen McCrimmon 11,214 34.53 +11.11
Progressive Conservative Sean Webster 10,416 32.07 -11.54
New Democratic Melissa Coenraad 9,560 29.43 +5.19
New Blue Jennifer Boudreau 636 1.96 -0.42
Green Steven Warren 442 1.36 -4.13
Independent Josh Rachlis 90 0.28
Total valid votes 32,358
Total rejected, unmarked and declined ballots 121
Turnout 35.14 -16.24
Eligible voters 91,666
Liberal gain from Progressive Conservative Swing +11.10

References

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  1. ^ "Fullerton resigns as MPP for Kanata-Carleton". CTV News. March 24, 2023. Retrieved July 16, 2023.
  2. ^ "Two Ontario provincial byelections called for July 27 | Globalnews.ca". Global News. Retrieved July 16, 2023.
  3. ^ "Kanata-Carleton: A riding split between rural and suburban voters". Ottawa. August 17, 2021. Retrieved July 16, 2023.
  4. ^ "Here's who's running so far in the Kanata-Carleton byelection". CBC News. July 3, 2023.
  5. ^ "Voters in Kanata-Carleton elect new MPP in July". CTV News. June 28, 2023.
  6. ^ a b "PC candidate a no-show at Kanata-Carleton debate". Ottawa Citizen. July 15, 2023.

See also

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