NDP leader in Montreal Liberal stronghold, hoping for byelection upset
In Montreal's Verdun borough, voters began participating in the advance polls of the federal byelection by filling out the record-setting ballot.
There are 91 candidates on the two-column ballot in the election to replace former Liberal justice minister David Lametti.
Most of the candidates are listed as "unaffiliated" or "independent" and are protesting the first past the post Canadian voting system.
The others, such as NDP candidate and municipal councillor Craig Sauve, are trying to nab the long-held Liberal seat.
NDP leader Jagmeet Singh was canvassing with Sauve in the neighbourhood on Friday.
"When I walk door to door, I hear the stories: 'Craig. Thanks for helping with this. Thanks for helping fix this problem,'" said Singh. "He is there for people."
In 2021, NDP candidate Jason De Lierre received under 20 per cent of the vote (9,168) to Lametti's 42 per cent (20,330 votes).
This time around, however, political analyst Raphael Melancon said it's a tight three-way race between the Liberals, NDP and Bloc Quebecois.
"There's this fatigue right now with the Liberal party," he said. "A lot of people across the country wish for change."
NDP candidate Sauve is hoping his focus on social housing will clinch votes.
"People need it," he said. "Someone who has a sure voice and that knows that they want housing for people and they can fight for it."
Melancon said this byelection is a big test of the Liberals after Conservative candidate Don Stewart won the longtime Liberal stronghold of Toronto-St. Paul's in the summer.
"If ever the Liberals were to lose that riding, it would send a strong message to the Liberals and the Liberal caucus," said Melancon. "It would show that their leader is no longer capable of holding even the strongest of the strongholds after what happened in Toronto."
Advanced voting runs through Sept. 9, with the election day set for Sept. 16.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
India's 'most wanted terrorist' arrested on gun charges in Canada
One of India's most wanted terrorists has been arrested and charged in connection with a recent alleged shooting in Ontario.
12-year-old boy charged in stabbing of 11-year-old boy at Edmonton McDonald's
The boy stabbed at a north Edmonton McDonald's last Friday is 11 years old.
What makes walking so great for your health and what else you need to do
Medical experts agree that walking is an easy way to improve physical and mental health, bolster fitness and prevent disease. While it’s not the only sort of exercise people should do, it’s a great first step toward a healthy life.
U.S. Congress hosts second round of UFO hearings
The U.S. government held another UFO hearing on Capitol Hill on Wednesday, the second such hearing in 16 months. This hearing was billed as an attempt by congress to provide a better understanding of what is known about previous sightings of UFOs, also known as UAPs (Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena).
Toronto teenager charged with first-degree murder in Kitchener, Ont. homicide
A Toronto teen has been charged as part of an investigation into Kitchener, Ont.’s first homicide of 2024.
Spy service officer denies threatening Montreal man who was later imprisoned in Sudan
A Canadian Security Intelligence Service official has denied threatening a Montreal man who was later imprisoned and allegedly tortured by authorities in Sudan.
Donald Trump picks Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz to serve as attorney general
President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday said he will nominate Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida to serve as his attorney general, putting a loyalist in the role of the nation's top prosecutor.
This Canadian airline will adopt Apple's new AirTag feature to help recover lost baggage. Here's how
Apple announced that a new feature, 'Share Item Location,' will help users locate and recover misplaced items by sharing an AirTag location with third parties including airlines.
Canada bracing for 'tough' talks as Trump's pick calls northern border an 'extreme vulnerability'
The Canadian government is aware it's likely in for 'tough conversations' with U.S. president-elect Donald Trump's administration, after his border czar said there is 'an extreme national security vulnerability' he intends to tackle at the Canada-U.S. border.