One vote is all it takes as Liberals win Terrebonne on recount

The final result is still taking shape after almost two weeks since the Canada federal election. The Quebec riding of Terrebonne has flipped to the Liberal Party after a judicial recount determined that Liberal candidate Tatiana Auguste beat Bloc Québécois incumbent Nathalie Sinclair-Desgagné by just one vote.

Tatiana Auguste, a 23-year-old newcomer to federal politics, brings a unique personal journey to Parliament. Born in Haiti and raised in Canada since 2008, she holds a degree in economics from Concordia University and worked as a political attaché before running for office.

The one vote difference has not only stunned the political observers and voters but has brought the Liberal tally to 170 seats, just two away from the majority mark of 172 in the 343-member House of Commons.


Initially, Elections Canada had called Terrebonne for the Liberals on election night, but the Bloc Québécois took the lead by 44 votes after the standard validation process. The recount, overseen by Superior Court Justice Danielle Turcotte, reversed that outcome, declaring Liberal candidate Tatiana Auguste the winner with 23,352 votes to Bloc incumbent Nathalie Sinclair-Desgagné’s 23,351.

When a candidate receives less than 0.1 per cent of the total vote in a riding, as was the case in Terrebonne, a recount is automatically initiated following election regulations. In some cases, candidates may also ask for a recount.

In this case, the recount was conducted by Superior Court of Quebec Justice Danielle Turcotte.

As of now, neither side has issued any public statements regarding the recount outcome.

Results in three other ridings are underway, and the recounting continues, which has added an unusual post-election suspense.

In Milton East–Halton Hills South, a seat initially projected for the Conservatives flipped to the Liberals by just 29 votes after validation. The Liberals lead by only 12 votes in Terra Nova–The Peninsulas. In Windsor–Tecumseh–Lakeshore, the Conservatives won by 77 votes, but a judge has ordered a recount following reports that potentially valid ballots were rejected.

The Liberals are now just two seats short of the 172 required for a majority government. But even if all recounts turn out in Liberal victories, the party will still be one seat short of a majority.