Canada could spend more than $24 million replacing MPs in a Parliament elected just 15 months ago, as a wave of departures puts 2026 on course for the country’s busiest federal by-election year since 1978.
Elections Canada recorded 11 by-elections in 2017 at an estimated total cost of $10.048 million. If 12 contests this year average the roughly $2 million cited by Elections Canada to The Canadian Press, the 2026 bill would exceed $24 million, roughly 139% above the 2017 total despite involving only one additional riding.
Actual costs could differ substantially. Elections Canada says expenses vary with geography, campaign length, facilities, staffing, advertising, technology, and other requirements. Its 2025 Battle River–Crowfoot by-election alone was estimated at $2.342 million, with the agency citing higher costs and its 49-day campaign period.
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The twelve contests
Three by-elections were already held on April 13 in Terrebonne, Scarborough Southwest, and University–Rosedale, all won by Liberals.
Another three are officially scheduled for August 31 in Beaches–East York, Chicoutimi–Le Fjord, and North Vancouver–Capilano.
Bloc Québécois MP Simon-Pierre Savard-Tremblay has also vacated his seat in Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot—Acton, while five more departures have been announced or are expected. Steven Guilbeault plans to leave on August 28, Conservative Cathay Wagantall is set to depart August 31, Conservative Larry Brock has announced a September 18 exit, and Independent MP Alexandre Boulerice has said he will leave by the end of summer.
Most recently, Liberal Shaun Chen announced his plans to resign Scarborough North on August 15.
Those vacancies could produce 12 federal by-elections during 2026, one more than the 11 held in 2017 and the largest annual number since 15 were held in 1978.
The churn is also unusually career-driven. The Canadian Press reported that eight of the potential 12 contests stem from MPs leaving for other opportunities rather than deaths or electoral irregularities.
Federal law generally requires a by-election writ to be issued between 11 and 180 days after Elections Canada receives formal notice of a vacancy, giving Ottawa considerable flexibility over when the remaining votes occur.
If all 12 proceed in 2026, Canadians will have returned to the polls in more ridings than in any year for nearly half a century, barely a year after the April 28, 2025 general election.
