As Canada’s election outcome hangs by a thread, the Liberal Party’s grip on power appears to be tenuous at best. A single vote in Quebec has altered the balance of power in the House of Commons, leaving the Liberals precariously close to forming a majority government.
As Canadians cast their ballots on election day, April 28th, the outcome of the contest was still uncertain. A recount in the Quebec district of Terrebonne had initially favored the Bloc Québécois candidate ‘Nathalie Sinclair-Desgagné,’ but a judicial review later awarded the seat to her Liberal challenger ‘Tatiana Auguste’ by just one vote.
The Recount and Its Aftermath
Following the federal election on April 28th, officials at Elections Canada initially projected ‘Auguste’ as the winner due to a narrow margin of 35 votes. However, an official validation process on May 1st revealed that Sinclair-Desgagné had actually won by 44 votes.
Under Canadian election law, a judicial recount is triggered when the difference between the winner and any other candidate is less than 0.1% of the valid votes cast. The recount in Terrebonne was overseen by a Quebec court judge and resulted in Auguste being awarded the seat.
The latest result has significantly altered the balance of power in the House of Commons, with the Liberals currently holding 170 seats. To form a majority government, they require 172 seats.
Liberalism as a political ideology has been gaining momentum globally, with many countries experiencing a shift towards liberal governance.
This rise can be attributed to factors such as increased access to education and information, which have led to growing demands for individual freedoms and human rights.
According to a study by the Pew Research Center, in 2019, 64% of Americans identified as liberal or conservative, with liberals holding a slight edge.
The influence of social media has also played a significant role in amplifying liberal voices and ideologies.
A Mailed Ballot Raises Concerns
However, the outcome is still precarious due to a woman named ‘Emmanuelle Bossé’ who claims her vote was not counted. Bossé had voted for Sinclair-Desgagné but received a mailed ballot that was returned to her due to a postal code error. She says she had nothing to fill in on the envelope and simply put her vote in.
The mailed ballot controversy refers to the debate surrounding the use of mail-in ballots in elections.
In recent years, several states have implemented or expanded their mail-in voting systems due to concerns about voter accessibility and COVID-19 safety precautions.
Critics argue that mail-in ballots increase the risk of 'voter fraud' and undermine election security.
Proponents counter that mail-in voting provides a convenient and accessible option for voters who may face obstacles in casting their ballots in person.
According to a 2020 report, over 40% of American voters used mail-in ballots in the presidential election, with some states reporting as high as 80% participation rates.
Elections Canada is investigating this matter, and if the new ballot is accepted, it could lead to a tie. In such an event, Elections Canada could force a byelection.
