All eyes to be on Edmonton-Riverbend as looming byelection could give Carney majority

A byelection will be held later this year to replace Conservative MP Matt Jeneroux, who announced in November that he was resigning his seat. The outcome could

Matt Jeneroux has represented Edmonton-Riverbend in Ottawa for a decade, but that will come to an end this spring after he submitted his resignation in November.

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“I ran in the last election hopeful that Canadians would put faith in a team led by Pierre Poilievre’s Conservatives, offering a chance to change Canada’s perception in our own country and around the world,” said the MP in a letter obtained by CTV News. “I wanted desperately to play a role in that vision.”

Jeneroux leaving could ultimately decide the balance of power in the House of Commons if there are no more floor crossings.

Conservative MP Michael Ma representing the Ontario riding of Markham-Unionville was the latest to cross the floor and join the Liberals, bringing Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government one seat shy of a majority.

Having a majority in the House of Commons would allow the Liberals to pass legislation with less difficulty.

Lisa Young, a professor of political science at the University of Calgary called the situation “unique.”

“Any byelection will be high stakes,” said Young.

While a byelection has yet to be called, Young anticipates it will be quite the race.

“I think there will be a lot of effort put into this byelection, both from the Conservatives and from the Liberals,” she said. “We’re in this very fluid political moment where support for the Liberals in parts of Alberta is higher than it has been in the past.”

Young said the memorandum of understanding between Alberta and Ottawa on a potential northwest coast pipeline could sway voters who would otherwise place their bet with the Conservatives.

“The stakes are going to be high,” she said. “Somebody who has a lot of name recognition who’s seen as a strong candidate could make the difference in a closely fought race.”

Mark Minenko, the Liberals’ 2025 candidate in Edmonton-Riverbend, said he will be putting his name forward as a candidate.

“We’re waiting for Matt Jeneroux to actually resign, and once he does … that triggers a number of events, including the prime minister having to call a byelection,” said Minenko. “Until that happens, we’re out there meeting with people, talking to people … finding out what’s important to people in Edmonton-Riverbend as well as outside of the riding.

“We only came up just a little over 3,000 votes short, and we look forward to making up that difference,” said Minenko.

Edmonton-Riverbend constituents should be prepared for door knocking sooner rather than later, as all eyes will be on the riding in the coming months.

With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Connor Hogg