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TERREBONNE — Residents of the Montreal-area federal riding of Terrebonne said Tuesday that every vote in an election should count, following a recent Supreme Court decision that forced their MP to vacate her seat.
Voters in Terrebonne will return to the polls because the Supreme Court of Canada last week invalidated the results in the riding after the April 28 federal election.
Elections Canada had declared Liberal Tatiana Auguste the winner over Bloc Québécois candidate Nathalie Sinclair-Desgagné by a single vote. But Sinclair-Desgagné challenged the results after a supporter complained that she had tried to vote by mail using a special ballot that was never counted.
On Tuesday, Prime Minister Mark Carney met Auguste in the riding. They visited residents at a local restaurant, with customers applauding and screaming, “Tatiana!” Earlier in the day Carney held a news conference in Montreal during which he praised Auguste for her active engagement in the community.
“Tatiana has been on the ground, connecting with residents,” he said.
The Canadian Press spoke with Terrebonne residents on Tuesday, including Nadia Poirier, who had volunteered for the Bloc candidate in the spring election campaign. Poirier said she supported holding a new byelection, emphasizing that every vote should be counted to uphold democratic integrity.
“Each vote counts, and no vote should be worth more or less than another.”
Justo Rocha, originally from Nicaragua, also said that he respected the Supreme Court’s decision. “In my home country, we don’t have the same freedoms,” he said.
“Democracy is fragile, and we have to protect it, so everyone can have confidence that their participation counts,” he added.
Carney has not yet released the date for the Terrebonne byelection; he has six months to make an announcement.
The Bloc Québécois did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Tuesday.
The Supreme Court ruling brings the Liberal caucus to 168 MPs. In the last federal election, the party fell a few seats short of a majority, which requires 172 seats.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 17, 2026.
Charlotte Glorieux, The Canadian Press
