Federal Seat for Terrebonne Declared Vacant, By-Election Triggered

Terrebonne Seat Vacated Following Supreme Court Ruling

The federal electoral district of Terrebonne, Quebec, is officially vacant, as confirmed by the Chief Electoral Officer of Canada, Stéphane Perrault, who received formal notice on February 16, 2026. This declaration initiates the process for a by-election in the riding. The vacancy stems from a Supreme Court of Canada decision on February 13, 2026, which annulled the results of the 2025 federal election in Terrebonne.

Annulment Due to Electoral Irregularity

The Supreme Court's decision overturned a lower court ruling and invalidated the election outcome where Liberal candidate Tatiana Auguste had been declared the winner by a single vote after a judicial recount. The annulment was prompted by an admitted printing error by Elections Canada on return envelopes for mail-in ballots during the 2025 election. This error led to at least one ballot, cast for the Bloc Québécois candidate, being returned to the sender, thereby affecting the extremely narrow margin of victory.

Tatiana Auguste had served as the Member of Parliament for Terrebonne from April 28, 2025, to February 13, 2026. The riding has historically seen strong support for the Bloc Québécois, with the party holding the seat since the early 1990s until Auguste's contested victory.

By-Election Process and Timeline

Following the official notice of vacancy, the by-election process is now underway. According to Canadian electoral law:

• The Chief Electoral Officer must issue a writ of election between the 11th and 180th days after receiving the Speaker's warrant.
• The date for the by-election must be announced between February 27 and August 15, 2026.
• The by-election itself must be held on a Monday, within a period of 36 to 50 days after the writ is issued.
• The earliest possible date for the Terrebonne by-election to take place is Monday, April 6, 2026.

Elections Canada, an independent and non-partisan agency, is responsible for administering federal elections and by-elections, ensuring that all eligible citizens have access to the voting system.

Political Implications

The vacancy in Terrebonne adds to the current political landscape, with other federal seats also recently becoming vacant due to resignations. This situation further impacts the Liberal Party of Canada's minority government, which currently holds 168 seats, short of the 172 required for a majority in the 343-seat House of Commons. The upcoming by-election in Terrebonne is anticipated to be a closely watched contest, given the riding's electoral history and the circumstances of the annulled result.