Voters are getting a clearer picture of who will be on the ballot for the upcoming byelection in Brantford-Brant South. On Saturday, the Liberal Party of Canada revealed its candidate – Joy O’Donnell. The certified financial planner was touted as a community leader with experience at the Chamber of Commerce Brantford-Brant, the Grand Erie Public Health Board and Rotary Club of Brantford. O’Donnell introduced the Prime Minister at a campaign stop in the city on April 18, 2025. “I wanted to let you know that we are ready to build a new economy with you,” she told Mark Carney, in front of his cheering supporters, at the Rope Factory. In a social media post, the Prime Minister praised O’Donnell as the right candidate for the job. “As a community leader, volunteer and president of the Chamber of Commerce Brantford-Brant, Joy O’Donnell knows what matters to the people of Brantford—Brant South,” it said. “She’s ready to be a strong voice for her community in Ottawa. Welcome to the team, Joy.” O’Donnell will go up against Kevin Davis, Brantford’s now-former mayor. He was the candidate personally appointed by Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre in September. The announcement, made at a rally in the city, came as a surprise to some party members who had expected a nomination process. One of them was Dave Carroll, a local pastor and longtime Conservative. A day before Poilievre announced Davis as the party’s candidate, he appeared in a video with Larry Brock, who endorsed Carroll as his replacement. Brock was first elected the riding’s MP in 2021 and then again in 2025 for the newly renamed Brantford-Brant South, which includes Brantford and surrounding communities. He formerly resigned from the role in September, saying he wanted to leave federal politics and return to the Crown prosecutor’s office. Carroll, meantime, has decided to run as an independent. No date has been announced for the federal byelection in Brantford-Brant South.
