Terrebonne in the 2025 Canadian federal election

This article is about the electoral district in the 2025 Canadian federal election. For the by-election held in the provincial electoral district of Terrebonne in 2025, see 2025 Terrebonne provincial by-election.
Terrebonne in the 2025 Canadian federal election
28 April 2025
Riding of Terrebonne
Registered89,725
Turnout61,118 (68.12%)
  First party Second party Third party
 
Lib
BQ
Con
Candidate Tatiana Auguste Nathalie Sinclair-Desgagné Adrienne Charles
Party Liberal Bloc Québécois Conservative
Popular vote 23,352 23,351 10,961
Percentage 38.741% 38.739% 18.18%
Swing 9.37pp 2.66pp 7.72pp
MP before election

Nathalie Sinclair-Desgagné
Bloc Québécois

Elected MP

Tatiana Auguste
Liberal

As part of the 2025 Canadian federal election on April 28, 2025, an election took place for the federal electoral district of Terrebonne, Quebec. This election was a close contest between the incumbent Bloc Québécois candidate, Nathalie Sinclair-Desgagné, and the Liberal candidate Tatiana Auguste.

On the initial count, Liberal candidate Auguste had a 35-vote lead. After the Elections Canada validated the vote, Bloc Québécois Sinclair-Desgagné was declared the winner by 44 votes. A subsequent judicial recount declared Liberal candidate Auguste the winner by 1 vote.

On February 13, 2026, the Supreme Court of Canada annulled the result of the election in the riding, requiring a by-election be held.[1]

Official result

2025 Canadian federal election: Terrebonne
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Tatiana Auguste 23,352 38.741 +9.37
Bloc Québécois Nathalie Sinclair-Desgagné 23,351 38.739 −2.66
Conservative Adrienne Charles 10,961 18.18 +7.73
New Democratic Maxime Beaudoin 1,556 2.58 −4.07
Green Benjamin Rankin 630 1.05 −0.38
People's Maria Cantore 428 0.71 −1.97
Total valid votes 60,278 98.63
Total rejected ballots 840 1.37 -0.88
Turnout 61,118 67.93 +1.74
Eligible voters 89,966
Liberal notional gain from Bloc Québécois Swing +6.02
Source: Elections Canada[2][3]
Notes: Results were annulled by the Supreme Court of Canada on February 13, 2026.[4] The results were also subject to an automatic judicial recount on May 7, 2025.[5] The number of eligible voters does not include election day registrations.

Analysis

Ternary plots - poll-by-poll analysis of Terrebonne results
  • 2021
  • 2025
Polls won identified by BQ (cyan), Liberal (red) and Conservative (blue)

Controversy over the count

Recount

In a preliminary count, Auguste was originally assumed to be the winner by 35 votes, but on May 1, the validation of election night results declared Sinclair-Desgagné as the winner by 44 votes. The narrowness of this margin triggered an automatic judicial recount overseen by the Superior Court of Quebec.[6][7] On May 10, the recount added 74 votes, with 56 of them going to Auguste and 11 to Sinclair-Desgagné. After this recount, the result was reversed, with Auguste certified as the victor by one vote. The shift moved the Liberal seat count to 169, three short of a majority government.[7]

Missing ballots

The results became controversial after a would-be Bloc voter disclosed on May 13 that her mail-in ballot was rejected and returned to her due to a postal code misprint on the envelope provided by Elections Canada.[8] On May 14, Elections Canada acknowledged the error but stated that it did not have legal standing to overturn the judicial recount. The following day, the Bloc announced that it would challenge the result in the Superior Court and seek a by-election. The same day, Elections Canada stated that five other mail ballots with the incorrect returning address printed had been rejected for having arrived at the Elections Canada office after the deadline; the statement said that they could not determine if the incorrect address had led to the fatal delay.[9] The application was filed in court on May 23,[10] with the hearing taking place in October.[11]

In September, Elections Canada reported that 115 special ballots had been issued to electors in Terrebonne. Their disposition was as follows:[12]

Outcome Number
Returned on time and counted 85
Received late 5
Not returned to the local office[a 1] 16
Not used, as electors subsequently voted in person 9
  1. ^ including the ballot that was reported as having been returned to the elector

Evolution of results (2021 to 2025)

Party 2021 election 2021 (transposed)[a 1] 2025 (preliminary) 2025 (validated) 2025 (on recount) 2025 vs 2021
Change (pp)[a 2]
Liberal 17,475 29.6 16,528 29.4 23,296 38.7 23,296 38.7 23,352 38.7 +9.3
Bloc Québécois 24,270 41.2 23,298 41.4 23,261 38.7 23,340 38.8 23,351 38.7 -2.7
Conservative 6,183 10.5 5,886 10.5 10,938 18.2 10,956 18.2 10,961 18.2 +7.7
New Democratic 3,913 6.6 3,742 6.6 1,552 2.6 1,552 2.6 1,556 2.5 -3.9
Green 847 2.4 802 1.4 637 1.1 632 1.0 630 1.0 -0.4
People's 1,594 2.7 1,506 2.7 446 0.7 428 0.7 428 0.7 -2.0
Independent[a 3] 3,864 6.6 4,518 8.0 -8.0
Free 803 1.4
  1. ^ As a consequence of the 2022 Canadian federal electoral redistribution
  2. ^ 2025 recount results compared to 2021 transposed results
  3. ^ Michel Boudrias was previously elected in 2019 under the Bloc banner, but was not renominated in 2021. He campaigned for reelection as an Independent.

Proceedings

Hearing in court

The case began on October 20 at the courthouse in Saint-Jérôme, and was originally estimated to last three days. No witnesses were scheduled to appear, as all parties were interviewed over the summer and filed consequential affidavits in order to speed up the hearing.[13]

On the first day, it was revealed that the Elections Canada employee estimated that 40 to 60 envelopes had been sent out with the wrong postal code on the return address. He did not think it necessary to inform the returning officer about that, as he had seen envelopes being delivered by Canada Post despite the error, and also noted that the return rate for special ballots was in line with previous elections.[14] The Bloc's advocate, Stéphane Chatigny, submitted that this was still a grave error, which was sufficient to meet the high bar set by the Supreme Court of Canada in a previous contested election case in 2012.[14][15]

The Liberals' advocate presented his case on the second day, submitting that what happened could be described as an everyday error, and a single vote represented just a margin of 0.0016%. The advocate for Elections Canada stated that it recognized that an error had been committed in the election, but noted that the Supreme Court, while giving high priority to the right to vote, also said that Canadian elections were not designed to attain perfection.[16]

The proceedings achieved notoriety not only in Canada, but also internationally, being reported in such outlets as CNN[17] and The Guardian.[18]

Disposition and appeal

On October 27, the court ruled that a by-election would not be held.[19] Dufour J held that what happened did not constitute an irregularity as defined in Canadian election law, saying, "It is a simple human error, which sometimes occurs in general elections, committed inadvertently and without any dishonest or malicious intent."[20]

On November 3, Sinclair-Desgagné announced that she would be appealing the ruling to the Supreme Court of Canada, saying, "The judgment of the Superior Court of Quebec contains several errors of fact as well as an interpretation of the law and jurisprudence that invites an appeal", and she was also planning to set up a crowdfunding campaign to raise money for the litigation costs.[21][22][23]

The Liberal Party subsequently filed a complaint with the Commissioner of Canada Elections, alleging that litigation costs form part of campaign expenses under the Canada Elections Act, and the anonymity given to crowdfunding donors violates the Act's limits on individual and corporate donations. Sinclair-Desgagné responded that she had received two legal opinions on the matter before proceeding with the initiative, and stated that the Liberal claim was "unfounded and malevolent".[24] The federal commissioner then confirmed the legality of Sinclair-Desgagné's actions.

At the Supreme Court of Canada

On December 12, the Supreme Court announced that it would be hearing the appeal on February 13, 2026.[25] On that date, the appeal was allowed,[26] and the result of the election in the riding was annulled.[27] Auguste ceased to be an MP immediately. Reasons for the decision will be released at a later date.[28] Elections Canada confirmed the announcement,[29] and the Speaker of the House of Commons gave official notice of the vacancy on February 16.[30]

Historical context

This is the first time since 1942 that the Supreme Court, on appeal, annulled a federal election, when the 1940 election of Liberal MP Robert Davidson in Stanstead was overturned because of corrupt practices arising from the buying of votes with whiskey and money.[31][32] That ruling was also the first time the Supreme Court had set aside a lower court decision with respect to an election verdict.[33] This did not automatically trigger the issue of a writ for election: Under the Dominion Controverted Elections Act then in force, the matter had to be referred to the House Privileges and Elections Committee for a recommendation as to how to proceed.[34] The committee would not report until May 1943, clearing the way for the byelection to be held.[35]

Davidson attempted to return to office in the byelection held August 9, 1943, but was defeated by the Bloc Populaire candidate Joseph-Armand Choquette.[36]

Aftermath

Terrebonne's byelection was subsequently called for April 13, 2026, in conjunction with others to be held in Scarborough Southwest and University—Rosedale.[37][38][39]

After reviewing its internal procedures, Elections Canada announced that, to avert the possibility of misdirected ballots in future, special ballots will no longer be manually prepared by a riding office, but will be centrally and automatically prepared at its Ottawa office.[40]

References

  1. ^ Major, Darren (February 13, 2026). "Supreme Court nullifies Liberal single-vote election win in Montreal-area riding". CBC News. Retrieved February 13, 2026.
  2. ^ "Voter information service". Elections Canada. Retrieved May 11, 2025.
  3. ^ "Official Voting Results". Elections Canada. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
  4. ^ Major, Darren (February 13, 2026). "Supreme Court nullifies Liberal single-vote election win in Montreal-area riding". CBC News.
  5. ^ Lopez Stephen, Benjamin (May 10, 2025). "Quebec riding of Terrebonne flips to Liberals after recount shows candidate won by single vote". CBC News. Retrieved May 11, 2025.
  6. ^ "Canada election: Judicial recount ordered for Terrebonne riding". CityNews Winnipeg. The Canadian Press. May 7, 2025. Retrieved 15 May 2025.
  7. ^ a b McMackon, Cassidy (May 10, 2025). "Recount sees Liberals take Quebec riding of Terrebonne by single vote". Global News. The Canadian Press. Retrieved 15 May 2025.
  8. ^ Lau, Rachel; Lofaro, Joe (May 14, 2025). "Terrebonne resident has ballot rejected after Elections Canada error, Liberals win by 1 vote". CTV News. Retrieved May 15, 2025.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  9. ^ Cabrera, Holly (May 15, 2025). "Bloc Québécois contesting recount in Terrebonne, after 5 more ballot issues declared in riding". CBC News. Retrieved 15 May 2025.
  10. ^ "Bloc Québécois files legal challenge of Terrebonne riding results after 1-vote loss". CBC News. Canadian Press. May 23, 2025.
  11. ^ Tilmant, Julien (June 18, 2025). "Contestation électorale à Terrebonne : L'audience fixée en octobre" [Electoral challenge in Terrebonne: Hearing set for October]. La Revue de Terrebonne (in French).
  12. ^ "Report on the 45th General Election of April 28, 2025" (PDF). Elections Canada. 2025. p. 37. ISSN 1498-461X.
  13. ^ Gamache, Valérie (October 20, 2025). "Élection dans Terrebonne : libéraux et bloquistes devant le tribunal" [The Terrebonne election: Liberals and Bloc appear in court] (in French). Radio-Canada.
  14. ^ a b Forrest, Maura (October 20, 2025). "Début de la contestation judiciaire des résultats des élections fédérales" [Beginning of the judicial proceeding contesting the result of the federal election]. La Presse (in French).
  15. ^ Opitz v Wrzesnewskyj, 2012 SCC 55, [2012] 3 SCR 76 (25 October 2012), allowing an appeal and dismissing a cross-appeal from Wrzesnewskyj v Attorney General, 2012 ONSC 2873
  16. ^ Lowrie, Morgan (October 21, 2025). "L'avocat de Tatiana Auguste estime qu'annuler l'élection est « déraisonnable »" [Tatiana Auguste's advocate figures that voiding the election would be "unreasonable"]. La Presse (in French).
  17. ^ Harvey, Lex (October 22, 2025). "A blunder meant this voter's ballot wasn't counted – then her pick lost by one vote. Now the case is in court". CNN.
  18. ^ Cecco, Leyland (October 21, 2025). "Case of a single ballot that decided a vote in Canada sparks uproar". The Guardian.
  19. ^ Isselet, Raphaël (November 5, 2025). "Le résultat d'avril est maintenu" [The April result is maintained]. La Revue de Terrebonne (in French). p. 8.
  20. ^ Banerjee, SiDhartha (October 27, 2025). "Bloc Québécois candidate who lost by 1 vote loses bid to have result cancelled". CBC News. discussing Sinclair-Desgagné c. Procureur général du Canada 2025 QCCS 3859 at par. 4 (in French)
  21. ^ MacDiarmid, Campbell (November 3, 2025). "Bloc Québécois candidate who lost by 1 vote plans appeal to Supreme Court". CBC News.
  22. ^ Proulx, Boris (November 3, 2025). "La candidate bloquiste défaite par une voix dans Terrebonne part en Cour suprême" [The Bloc candidate defeated by one vote is going to the Supreme Court]. Le Devoir (in French).
  23. ^ Crëte, Mylène (November 3, 2025). "La candidate bloquiste dans Terrebonne porte sa cause devant la Cour suprême" [The Bloc Candidate in Terrebonne is taking her case to the Supreme Court]. La Presse (in French).
  24. ^ Crëte, Mylène (November 6, 2025). "Les libéraux contestent le sociofinancement lancé par la candidate bloquiste" [The Liberals are contesting the crowdfunding launched by the Bloc candidate]. La Presse (in French).
  25. ^ "Bulletin of Proceedings". Supreme Court of Canada. December 12, 2025. pp. 10–11.
  26. ^ "Supreme Court Judgments: Sinclair-Desgagné v. Canada (Chief Electoral Officer)". Supreme Court of Canada. February 13, 2026.
  27. ^ "Supreme Court cancels result from federal election in Terrebonne riding". CTVNews. 2026-02-13. Retrieved 2026-02-13.
  28. ^ Proulx, Boris (February 13, 2026). "L'élection fédérale dans Terrebonne est annulée" [The federal election in Terrebonne is voided]. Le Devoir (in French).
  29. ^ "Result of the 45th General Election in Terrebonne Annulled" (Press release). Elections Canada. February 13, 2026.
  30. ^ "A Federal Seat Is Vacant in Terrebonne" (Press release). Elections Canada. February 16, 2026.
  31. ^ Albert, Richard (October 26, 2012). "Canadian Election Administration Goes to Court". iconnectblog.com. International Society of Public Law.
  32. ^ Sideleau v Davidson, 1942 CanLII 50, [1942] SCR 306; [1942] 3 DLR 609 (26 June 1942)
  33. ^ "Quebec M.P. Unseated by Ottawa Court". Ottawa Journal. June 26, 1942. pp. 1, 16.(subscription required)
  34. ^ "Ousted by Court, Still Entitled to Take House Seat". Ottawa Citizen. January 11, 1943. p. 1.(subscription required)
  35. ^ "Stanstead to Have Election". Montreal Star. May 20, 1943. p. 17.(subscription required)
  36. ^ Dallaire, Gilled (April 8, 1999). "Le dernier survivant du Bloc populaire n'est plus" [The last survivor of the Bloc populaire has passed away]. La Tribune (in French). Sherbrooke. p. B2..
  37. ^ Tumilty, Ryan (March 8, 2026). "Mark Carney calls three byelections for April that could lead to Liberal majority". Toronto Star.
  38. ^ Beaulieu-Lépine, Mathilde (March 8, 2026). "Les trois élections partielles fédérales se tiendront le 13 avril" [Three byelections will be held on April 13]. Le Devoir (in French).
  39. ^ Bourquin, Chloé (March 8, 2026). "Trois élections partielles fédérales se dérouleront le 13 avril" [Three byelections will roll out on April 13]. La Presse (in French).
  40. ^ Proulx, Boris (March 2, 2026). "L'erreur de code postal ne sera plus possible lors du nouveau scrutin dans Terrebonne" [The postal code error will no longer be possible in the new vote in Terrebonne]. Le Devoir (in French).

See also

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