Ontario Votes 2025: Kanata–Carleton
A byelection was decided by just 650 votes. What happens this time?
Covering northwest Ottawa, Kanata-Carleton mostly follows city limits for its dividing lines. Its southeastern corner is a bit of a jigsaw puzzle with Carleton, Nepean and Ottawa West–Nepean.
Defending the seat is Liberal MPP Karen McCrimmon, the former Liberal MP for the area who won a 2023 byelection triggered when PC cabinet minister Merrilee Fullerton resigned.
The riding had been held by Conservatives for decades. McCrimmon won by about 650 votes.
Six candidates are running for the seat.
With advance voting done and mail voting applications closed, voting is still possible at local election offices until Wednesday at 6 p.m.
Voting day is Thursday, with polls open from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. Elections Ontario has more information on the range of voting options.
Dave Belcher, NDP
Belcher is a former educator and works for a teachers' union.
Frank Jakubowski, Ontario Party
The party hasn't shared information about this candidate.
Karen McCrimmon, Liberal
McCrimmon was a member of the Canadian Armed Forces and served as senior staff officer at NATO Air Headquarters. In 2004, she completed a tour of duty in Afghanistan.
She was MP from 2015 until 2021.
Scott Phelan, PC
Phelan is an Ottawa Catholic School Board trustee in the area. He has also worked in IT and is a former president of the Stittsville Minor Hockey Association.
Jennifer Purdy, Green
The doctor and veteran has been posted as a military family doctor in Ottawa, Petawawa and Trenton. She ran federally for the Greens in the last two elections.
Elizabeth Watson, New Blue
The recently graduated law clerk from Galetta has experience in fish, wildlife and ecosystem management.