A by-election for the provincial riding of Kanata—Carleton in Ontario was held on July 27, 2023, to elect a new member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario following the resignation of Progressive Conservative MPP and cabinet minister Merrilee Fullerton.[1]
The election was held on the same day as another in Scarborough—Guildwood.[2]
Kanata—Carleton is a riding on the outskirts of Ottawa containing both suburban and rural voters.[3] It roughly contains the former city of Kanata and the former Township of West Carleton. Ridings containing Kanata and West Carleton have voted Conservative in every provincial election since 1871 except in 1919. However, the federal Liberals have represented the riding, which shares the same boundaries since its creation in 2015.
Five candidates filed for the election.[4]
An all-candidates debate was held on July 13. PC candidate Sean Webster was criticized for not participating. The Webster campaign indicated that he decided to spend the time canvassing instead. Tory candidates not showing up for all-candidate debates was a common occurrence during the 2022 Ontario general election.[6]
Issues in the race include health care, housing and the proposed development on the site of the Kanata Golf and Country Club.[6]