Byelections to be held in October in Tory-held ridings in Quebec and Alberta

By Staff The Canadian Press

Posted September 18, 2017 9:56 am EST

1 min read

This article is more than 7 years old and some information may not be up to date.

Former interim Conservative leader Rona Ambrose speaking to reporters following the tabling of the Fall Economic Statement, as fomer Conservative MP Denis Lebel looks on, on Parliament Hill, Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2016 in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

Elections Canada has announced the dates for two federal byelections to be held in Quebec and Alberta ridings vacated by Conservative MPs.

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The votes in Sturgeon River-Parkland, Alta., and Lac-Saint-Jean, Que., will be held on Monday, Oct. 23.

Conservative interim leader Rona Ambrose had previously held the seat in Sturgeon River-Parkland, just west of Edmonton.

Interim Conservative Leader Rona Ambrose speaks in Ottawa on Tuesday May 16, 2017. The Canadian Press/Fred Chartrand

Ambrose resigned from politics in July after serving as party leader since 2015.

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The Quebec seat was previously held by Denis Lebel, who announced his retirement in June after nearly 10 years in the House of Commons.

Former Conservative MP Denis Lebel asks a question during Question Period in the House of Commons in Ottawa on Monday, Oct.3, 2016. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

The byelections could be an early test for new Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer, particularly in Lac-Saint-Jean, where Lebel won in 2015 with only 33 per cent of the vote.

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Voters in the two electoral districts can cast their ballots in person or by mail.