A former Bloc Quebecois MP, who narrowly lost her riding in the recent federal election by just one vote, is seeking a re-election. The legal challenge is taking place in St-Jerome, Que., where Nathalie Sinclair-Desgagné is contesting the results in the Terrebonne riding, located north of Montreal.
The legal action follows a revelation by a local voter who had her special ballot rejected due to an address error on the envelope provided by Elections Canada. Incumbent MP Sinclair-Desgagné was defeated by Liberal candidate Tatiana Auguste by a single vote in the April 28 election.
Representing Sinclair-Desgagné, lawyer Stephane Chatigny argues that the voter’s Charter rights were infringed as her ballot was not counted. Chatigny asserts that a new election should be called in the riding, pointing out that 16 other special ballots were also not returned by the deadline, suggesting others could have been affected by similar errors.
The ongoing three-day hearing is pivotal in determining whether a new election will be ordered for the Terrebonne riding.