Terrebonne byelection: Bloc Québécois candidate who lost now-nullified election by single vote unveils platform

The Bloc Québécois candidate who was denied a seat in the House of Commons by a single vote only to see the election result nullified by the Supreme Court unveiled her election platform Thursday.

Nathalie Sinclair-Desgagné is looking to convince enough voters in Terrebonne to send her to Ottawa, nearly one full year after she lost to Liberal candidate Tatiana Auguste in the 2025 federal election.

That result was invalidated last month by the Supreme Court. Electors in that riding now head back to the polls April 13 in one of three byelections in Canada that could have serious ramifications on Canada’s government.

Standing alongside Bloc leader Yves-François Blanchet in Terrebonne Thursday, Sinclair-Desgagné says she is running on a platform focused on issues raised by residents in the riding.

“I was looking forward to getting back on the campaign so that we could finally discuss the concerns that affect the citizens of Terrebonne and ensure that they can be heard by Ottawa on major issues,” Sinclair-Desgagné said.

Those include the Bloc’s proposed use of the federal government’s low-interest borrowing capacity to help first-time home buyers, including an interest-free loan of up to $20,000 to assist with down payments and removing the GST on certain costs tied to buying a home.

The Bloc is also promising to address concerns affecting seniors’ pensions, and improving access to public transit.

“It’s not just seniors who are more difficult right now,” said Blanchet. “Here in Terrebonne, young families are unable to access the legitimate dream of a first home. This is the first time that an entire generation of young people has been deprived of access to property in this way, and this must be remedied.”

There’s also the issue of the planned Alto high-speed rail line. The route is designed to pass through the riding, causing concern for residents.

“It is important to consult the population, to reassure them, and then, if expropriation does occur, to ensure that it is never done in a forced or brutal manner,” said Sinclair-Desgagné, who called the issue a top priority of hers.

Sinclair-Desgagné said the party will also keep a close eye on the upcoming Supreme Court hearing on Quebec’s secularism law and the use of the notwithstanding clause as the campaign moves forward.

Blanchet heavily criticized the Carney government Thursday morning, saying his party is ready to face the Liberals in Terrebonne.

“The main argument for the Liberals is to say ‘vote for us, there will be no more elections.’ What the hell is that? How cold is such a way to think and build a strategy? People need to ask themselves ‘who am I going to trust?'” Blanchet said.

“People of Terrebonne will have the possibility to vote according to their own specific values, convictions, and interests. And in that regard, we are so much closer to them than any Liberal in the world.”

Terrebonne was initially declared a victory for the Bloc Québécois, but a judicial recount later found the Liberals had won by one vote.

The Supreme Court invalidated Auguste’s that victory last month — the result was challenged by Sinclair-Desgagné — because a Bloc supporter’s vote by mail using a special ballot never reached Elections Canada due to a misprint on the return envelope.