(Ottawa) The Liberal Party has still not made up its mind about who will run in the riding of LaSalle–Émard–Verdun, even though the by-election must be held no later than September. In the meantime, New Democrat Craig Sauvé has a clear field, and other players want to get involved.
What there is to know
Aspiring candidates for the Liberal nomination in the by-election in the riding of LaSalle–Émard–Verdun are eager to know their fate.
The unsuccessful Liberal candidate in the riding of Toronto–St. Paul’s, Leslie Church, had been sworn in several weeks before the election date was announced.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has until July 30 to announce the date of the by-election in LaSalle–Émard–Verdun.
The by-election must be held no later than Monday, September 16.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has until July 30 to announce the date of the vote in this Montreal riding left vacant by the resignation of former minister David Lametti, made official last February.
PHOTO HUGO-SÉBASTIEN AUBERT, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Saint-Henri-Est-Petite-Bourgogne-Pointe-Saint-Charles-Griffintown city councillor and NDP candidate in LaSalle–Émard–Verdun, Craig Sauvé
And the more time passes, the more aspiring candidates for the Liberal nomination become worried.
For comparison, in the stronghold that the Liberals have just taken, Toronto–St. Paul’s, candidate Leslie Church was invested on March 1er March – more than a month and a half before the announcement of the by-election date on May 19.
“It’s starting to worry me a little bit. I’m wondering what’s holding this up. It’s July, and we can’t even run for office,” said Lori Morrison, a school board trustee who has been campaigning for months despite the uncertainty.
This sentiment is shared by Christopher Baenninger, who also aspires to carry the liberal colors. “Frankly, it’s happening blindly. My team and I have been on the ground since February 22,” says this entrepreneur.
PHOTO CHARLES WILLIAM PELLETIER, ARCHIVES SPECIAL COLLABORATION
Christopher Baenninger, during the provincial by-election in Saint-Henri–Sainte-Anne, in 2023
The two candidates are not new to politics. The first tried to get elected in 2019 under the NDP banner. The second wanted to succeed Dominique Anglade in the by-election in Saint-Henri–Sainte-Anne in 2023.
The duo has another thing in common: a concern that the Liberal Party of Canada will parachute in a candidate rather than go through a nomination process. “They could put a candidate in, which would obviously be a huge challenge for aspiring candidates,” Baenninger argues.
NDP hopes to surprise
Especially since the New Democratic Party has a “strong candidate” in Craig Sauvé, he notes. In addition to having a reputation in the area, the municipal councillor for the Sud-Ouest borough has a head start, having been elected by acclamation last April.
He thinks he can “create a surprise” and move forward rather than back down, as was the case during the by-election in Toronto on June 24. The New Democrats lost ground there, collecting 11% of the vote compared to 16.8% in the 2021 general election.
“The wind of change is really here,” says Craig Sauvé. And that’s without taking into account that the “general fatigue that has set in” with regard to Justin Trudeau could amplify it. “I think there is an emotional factor,” says the candidate, who recently received a visit from leader Jagmeet Singh.
The Bloc Québécois and the Conservative Party have not yet designated a candidate for the by-election.
Other players
There may be some who will confuse the issue, or at least delay the announcement of the results. By “some” we mean adherents of the “longer ballot” movement, whose presence on the ballots has considerably delayed the counting in Toronto-St. Paul’s.
“Big announcement coming soon,” read a message posted on an X Network account last Saturday.
Another unknown variable: a pro-Palestinian initiative orchestrated by Alex Tyrrell. No candidate will be the standard-bearer, but more than 900 posters are planned to be put up with the aim of encouraging voters to keep the Palestinian cause in mind when they go to the polls.
IMAGE TAKEN FROM THE LEV 4 PALESTINE WEBSITE
More than 900 posters will be posted in LaSalle–Émard–Verdun.
“The goal is to challenge Canada’s support for Israel,” said campaign finance officer Alex Tyrrell, also known for his role as leader of the Green Party of Quebec. Jewish and Muslim voters represent a small minority in LaSalle–Émard–Verdun.
A three-way fight?
The last three elections in the riding were won decisively by David Lametti, with more than 40 per cent of the vote. A three-way race between the Liberals, the NDP and the Bloc appears to be taking shape, according to 338Canada, the poll aggregation website.
PHOTO PATRICK SANFAÇON, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
David Lametti in 2022, then Federal Minister of Justice
Hence the impatience of the aspiring candidates for the Liberal nomination to move on to the next stage. In recent days, Lori Morrison and Christopher Baenninger were interviewed by Liberal Party officials.
The party explained that it had been “approached by many talented community leaders wishing to become the candidate”, arguing that the process would take place “in accordance with the rules”. These do not prevent the party from choosing its own candidate.
The latest date the LaSalle–Émard–Verdun byelection can be called is Monday, Sept. 16, 2024, Elections Canada confirmed in an email. The Prime Minister’s Office would not say when hostilities will begin.