2017 Ottawa—Vanier federal by-election

A by-election was held in the federal riding of Ottawa—Vanier in Ontario, Canada on 3 April 2017 following the death of Mauril Bélanger on August 16, 2016. The safe seat was held by the Liberal candidate Mona Fortier on a reduced majority.[1]

The by-election was scheduled to coincide with four others across the country; Calgary Heritage, Calgary Midnapore, Markham—Thornhill and Saint-Laurent.

Background

Constituency

The riding, with a large Franco-Ontarian population in Vanier, is one of the most solidly Liberal in the country, having elected Liberals both federally and provincially in every election since its creation. In fact, the previous electoral district which comprises most of the constituency, Russell, had been solidly Liberal since 1887. The riding is home to many civil servants and generally corresponds to the wards of Beacon Hill-Cyrville, Rideau-Rockcliffe and Rideau-Vanier.

Representation

Mauril Bélanger until his death on August 16, 2016, from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (also known as Lou Gehrig's disease). The riding was one of the most solidly Liberal in the country, having elected Liberals both federally and provincially in every election since its creation in 1935.[2] The Speaker's warrant regarding the vacancy was received on August 23, 2016.

Candidates

After several prominent potential candidates, including Bélanger's widow Catherine Bélanger, Ottawa councillors Tobi Nussbaum and Tim Tierney, and 2014 council candidate Catherine Fortin LeFaivre[3][4] declined to run, eight candidates sought the Liberal nomination: Senate staffer Khatera Akbari, lawyer Jean Claude Dubuisson, communications consultant Mona Fortier, Liberal staffer Eric Khaiat, former Cape Breton Highlands—Canso MP Francis LeBlanc, public servant Ainsley Malhotra, former executive director of The Humanitarian Coalition Nicolas Moyer, and Unique FM executive director Véronique Soucy. Up to 6,500 party members were eligible to vote in the nomination contest. Mona Fortier won the nomination on February 5, 2017.[5][6]

Unsuccessful 2015 candidate Emilie Taman, a University of Ottawa law professor and daughter of former Supreme Court Justice Louise Arbour, ran again for the NDP.[3]

Parliament Hill staffer Adrian Papara defeated former New Brunswick MLA Joel Bernard for the Conservative Party nomination, decided on February 16.[7]

Educator and community activist Nira Dookeran was the Green candidate.[8]

Results
Canadian federal by-election, April 3, 2017: Ottawa—Vanier
Death of Mauril Bélanger
Party Candidate Votes%±%
LiberalMona Fortier15,19051.20−6.37
New DemocraticEmilie Taman8,52328.73+9.48
ConservativeAdrian Paul Papara4,57815.43−3.68
GreenNira Dookeran9873.33+0.26
IndependentJohn Turmel1530.52
LibertarianDamien Wilson1370.46−0.33
IndependentChristina Wilson990.33
Total valid votes/Expense limit 29,667 100.0   –  
Total rejected ballots -
Turnout
Eligible voters 86,998
Liberal hold Swing −7.91

2015 results
2015 Canadian federal election
Party Candidate Votes%±%Expenditures
LiberalMauril Bélanger36,47457.57+19.47$163,698.89
New DemocraticEmilie Taman12,19419.25-9.43$123,293.39
ConservativeDavid Piccini12,10919.11-8.84$74,698.91
GreenNira Dookeran1,9473.07-1.99$8,775.54
LibertarianCoreen Corcoran5030.79–$747.12
Marxist–LeninistChristian Legeais1280.2-0.03–
Total valid votes/Expense limit 63,355100.0 $219,479.72
Total rejected ballots 418––
Turnout 63,773––
Eligible voters 83,570
Source: Elections Canada[9][10]

References
  1. "Justin Trudeau sets byelection for Ottawa-Vanier for April 3". Global News. February 19, 2017. Archived from the original on March 9, 2017. Retrieved April 4, 2017.
  2. "Trudeau calls five by-elections for April 3" Archived 2022-04-01 at the Wayback Machine. The Globe and Mail, February 22, 2017.
  3. Mohamed, Amin (November 29, 2016). "Emilie Taman candidate du NPD dans Ottawa-Vanier". La Presse. Archived from the original on December 1, 2016. Retrieved December 4, 2016.
  4. Fagan, Laurie (September 1, 2016). "Political vacancies in Ottawa—Vanier have candidates mulling a run". CBC News. Archived from the original on September 3, 2016. Retrieved September 2, 2016.
  5. Rana, Abbas (January 30, 2017). "Free Liberal memberships attract thousands of new members ahead of hotly-contested Ottawa-Vanier nomination". The Hill Times. Ottawa. Archived from the original on February 6, 2017. Retrieved February 1, 2017.
  6. Laucius, Joanne (February 5, 2017). "Mona Fortier wins Liberal nomination for Ottawa-Vanier byelection". Ottawa Citizen. Archived from the original on February 6, 2017. Retrieved February 5, 2017.
  7. Rana, Abbas (February 13, 2017). "Conservatives to nominate candidate in Ottawa-Vanier this week, riding has elected Liberals since 1935". The Hill Times. Archived from the original on April 1, 2022. Retrieved April 4, 2017.
  8. "Federal Ottawa-Vanier byelection happening April 3". CBC News. February 19, 2017. Archived from the original on April 5, 2017. Retrieved April 4, 2017.
  9. "Elections Canada – Confirmed candidates for Ottawa—Vanier, 30 September 2015". Archived from the original on October 25, 2019. Retrieved April 1, 2022.
  10. "Elections Canada – Preliminary Election Expenses Limits for Candidates". Archived from the original on August 15, 2015. Retrieved April 1, 2022.
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