Ottawa–Vanier to choose Mauril Bélanger's replacement in byelection today
Polls open from 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
It's byelection day in Ottawa–Vanier.
Voters in the federal riding go to the polls today to elect the successor to longtime MP Mauril Bélanger, who died last August after holding the seat since 1995.
Polls open at 9:30 a.m. and close at 9:30 p.m.
It's one of five byelections happening in federal ridings across the country today.
Candidates running in Ottawa–Vanier include:
- Nira Dookeran, Green Party: a high school teacher and community activist who ran for the Greens in the 2015 federal election.
- Mona Fortier, Liberal Party: a businesswoman and Liberal party organizer who worked with Bélanger on eight campaigns.
- Adrian Papara, Conservative Party: a University of Ottawa MBA graduate who has worked for two Conservative MPs.
- Emilie Taman, NDP: a lawyer who ran for the NDP in the last federal election and has been outspoken about the City of Ottawa's plans for a new central library.
People living in the riding who haven't received a voter information card can use Elections Canada's Voter Information Service to find out where to vote.
Ottawa–Vanier is a vast and diverse riding that includes the neighbourhoods of the ByWard Market, Sandy Hill, New Edinburgh, Rockcliffe Park, Vanier, Overbrook, and Gloucester. It has a population of 111,508, according to the 2016 Census.
The Liberals have held the seat since it was created in 1935.
No woman has ever been elected as the representative of the riding.