Safe Liberal seat on the line for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s party
OTTAWA — Polls are open in a hotly contested Toronto byelection where a defeat for the governing Liberals could be a troubling sign for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s party.
Bennett won the riding with a 24-point margin in 2021 and an over 30 point margin in 2019. Even when the Liberals were reduced to just 34 seats in 2011, they comfortably won St. Paul’s.
Hoping to replace Bennett is Liberal candidate Leslie Church. She previously served as Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland’s chief of staff. She is facing a challenge from Conservative Don Stewart. The NDP has put forward Amrit Parhar, the Greens are running Christian Cullis, and the People’s Party is represented by Dennis Wilson.
Recent polls have put the Conservatives 20 points ahead across the country and with significant leads in Ontario, but the Liberals are still expected to hold onto the riding. A defeat by the Liberals in such a safe seat would be a major blow and there is speculation that, if it happens, Trudeau could face pressure from within his party to resign.
More to come …
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