The highly anticipated Toronto-St. Paul’s federal byelection has concluded, marking a crucial test for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his Liberal party. Host of Power & Politics, David Cochrane, led the coverage and analysis of the election results as they unfolded.

Elections Canada faced challenges with the vast number of candidates in this election, some of whom advocated for proportional representation in opposition to the first-past-the-post system. Additionally, an error in poll location information affected a group of voters, stirring some controversy.

Former MP Carolyn Bennett’s retirement paved the way for the candidacy of Leslie Church, representing the Liberals, while Don Stewart contested for the Conservatives, supported by Jenny Byrnea key advisor to Pierre Poilievre. The riding’s historical Liberal dominance faced pressure from Conservative momentum, with implications for nearby ridings like Eglinton-Lawrence and Willowdale.

The outcome of this election is expected to influence Trudeau’s leadership, with analysts suggesting that even a narrow Conservative loss could signal challenges for the current government’s majority prospects. As the results unfolded, the mood at Stewart’s campaign party remained hopeful and determined.

Various experts, including Éric Grenier and David Coletto from Abacus Data, have emphasized the broader implications of this byelection on the national political landscape. The voter turnout and final margin of victory will serve as indicators of the electorate’s mood towards the governing party.

Prominent figures such as Chrystia Freeland have been actively engaged in the campaign efforts, underscoring the significance of this race for the Liberals. Candidates from diverse backgrounds, including NDP‘s Amrit Parhar and the Greens‘ Christian Cullis, added further dimension to the electoral contest.