Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's Liberals could soon have a slim majority in the House of Commons if the party is able to make gains in three by-elections being held on Monday.
The outcome of the races - two in the Toronto area and one near Montreal - could solidify his hold on power, staving off a federal election until as late as 2029 and giving his party the ability to pass legislation without relying on support from opposition benches.
Liberals currently hold 171 of the 343 seats in the House, one shy of a technical majority. The likely power shift comes a year after Carney became prime minister and follows a series of defections by opposition members of parliament to the Liberals.
The Liberals are widely expected to win the two Toronto ridings, or constituencies, of Scarborough Southwest and University-Rosedale. The seats were previously held by former defence minister Bill Blair and Chrystia Freeland.
The race in Terrebonne, a Montreal suburb, is considered a toss-up between the Liberals and the Bloc Quebecois. The Liberal candidate won by a single vote in last year's federal election but had the result nullified due to a clerical error.
Wins in Toronto will be enough for Carney to clinch a narrow majority, bolstered by recent defectors from other parties. This spate of floor-crossing has drawn criticism, with Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre labeling it 'undemocratic'.
As the Liberals shift more politically conservative under Carney, they aim to attract right-of-centre MPs, marking a notable change from the previous administration's policies. With polls indicating the Liberals leading by a significant margin against Conservatives, the upcoming by-elections could pave the way for a new era in Canadian governance.
