2019 York—Simcoe federal by-election explained

Swing3: 1.38pp
Percentage2:29.04%
Seats For Election:Riding of York—Simcoe
Turnout:20.03% (43.23pp)
Candidate1:Scot Davidson
Popular Vote3:1,244
Popular Vote1:8,929
Candidate2:Shaun Tanaka
Next Year:Oct. 2019
Next Election:2019 Canadian federal election
Before Election:Peter Van Loan
Percentage3:7.51%
Candidate3:Jessa McLean
Country:Canada
After Election:Scot Davidson
Swing2: 8.72pp
Map Size:200px
Swing1: 3.66pp
MP
Posttitle:Elected MP
Previous Year:2015
Election Name:2019 York—Simcoe federal by-election
Percentage1:53.91%
Popular Vote2:4,811
Type:Parliamentary
Ongoing:no
Party Colour:no
Party Name:no
Previous Election:2015 Canadian federal election
Image3:

NDP

A by-election was held in the federal riding of York—Simcoe in Ontario on February 25, 2019, following the resignation of incumbent Conservative MP Peter Van Loan. After 15 years in Parliament, the former Leader of the Official Opposition announced that he would resign his seat. The by-election occurred alongside two others; Outremont and Burnaby South.

The seat was held for the Conservatives by Scot Davidson.[1]

Background

Constituency

York—Simcoe is a rural constituency based in the York Region and Simcoe County, just to the north of the Greater Toronto Area. York—Simcoe has been considered a safe seat for the Conservatives, but at the 2015 election the Liberal Party saw a huge increase in share of vote; 26 percentage points.

Representation

Peter Van Loan announced on July 29, 2018, that he would be resigning as MP for York—Simcoe effective September 30, 2018. Van Loan has held the seat since the riding's creation in 2004.[2]

Campaign

Scot Davidson, Heather Fullerton, and Jason Verkaik sought the Conservative nomination.[3] In a nomination meeting on October 20, Scot Davidson was declared the Conservative candidate.[4]

Shaun Tanaka, a local professor and the riding's 2015 Liberal candidate, won the Liberal nomination.[5]

In a nomination meeting on December 6, Jessa McLean was acclaimed as the NDP candidate.[6]

The People's Party announced Robert Geurts as their candidate.[7]

Sébastien Corriveau, leader of the Rhinoceros Party, stated his intention to run in this by-election,[8] but he did not register.

The candidate of the Libertarian Party was Keith Komar.[9]

The Speaker's warrant regarding the vacancy was received on October 1, 2018; under the Parliament of Canada Act the writ for a by-election had to be dropped no later than March 30, 2019, 180 days after the Chief Electoral Officer was officially notified of the vacancy via a warrant issued by the Speaker.[10] The by-election was called on January 9, 2019, to be held on February 25, 2019.[11]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2019-02-25. Scot Davidson keeps York-Simcoe riding Tory blue. 2020-11-19. thestar.com. en.
  2. News: July 29, 2018. Peter Van Loan, former House Leader under Stephen Harper, retiring. Toronto Star. Canadian Press. July 29, 2018.
  3. News: Heidi. Riedner. September 12, 2018. York-Simcoe Tory nomination garners 3 bids for federal riding. Georgina Advocate. YorkRegion.com. September 15, 2018.
  4. Web site: King. Miriam. October 24, 2018. Conservative Party votes in new York-Simcoe representative. October 29, 2018. BarrieToday.com.
  5. Web site: Riedner. Heidi. 2019-01-14. Shaun Tanaka gets Liberal nod to run in York-Simcoe federal byelection. 2019-01-15. YorkRegion.com. en-CA.
  6. Web site: Champion. Kim. December 10, 2018. York-Simcoe acclaimed NDP candidate undaunted by challenges ahead. December 10, 2018. NewmarketToday.ca.
  7. Web site: Media release - The People’s Party of Canada Nominates Prominent Toronto Lawyer for York-Simcoe By-Election. 2019-01-15. People's Party of Canada. en-CA.
  8. CorRhino. 1087527668013322240. 21 January 2019. I launch my campaign in the York Simcoe by-election.
  9. Web site: Upcoming by-elections update. 22 January 2019. Libertarian Party of Canada.
  10. Web site: Vacant Seats in the House of Commons Since the 2015 General Election. April 4, 2017. Elections Canada.
  11. News: Tunney. Catharine. 9 January 2019. Trudeau calls byelections for 3 seats, including B.C. riding sought by NDP's Singh. CBC. 21 January 2019.