NDP announces candidates for August 31 federal byelections

OTTAWA – With federal byelections called for August 31 in three ridings across Ontario, Quebec and British Columbia, Canada’s New Democrats are announcing two experienced candidates ready to campaign and a competitive nomination process underway in the third riding.

In Beaches—East York, Shannon Devine has been acclaimed as the NDP candidate. Devine previously ran as the NDP candidate in the riding in the 2025 federal election. A longtime labour and social justice leader in Toronto’s east end, she has served on a number of community boards and spent decades advocating for workers and organizing community, electoral, and workplace campaigns. Devine has served as the Communications Director for the Canadian Auto Workers union (CAW) and later Unifor, Executive Director of the Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL), Head of the United Steelworkers’ national Communications and Political Action Department, and Executive Director of the Toronto and York Region Labour Council. She lives with her wife and their two kids, and has spent her free time volunteering and organizing for municipal, provincial, and federal campaigns in Beaches—East York since 2015.

In Chicoutimi—Le Fjord, Raphaël Émond has been acclaimed as the NDP candidate.Émond previously ran as the NDP candidate in the riding in the 2025 federal election. A Chicoutimi native with a degree in International Studies, he has been involved in the New Democratic movement in Quebec from a young age, including serving as Vice-President of the Young New Democrats of Quebec (JNDQ). Deeply connected to the Saguenay region, Émond is passionate about representing his community in Ottawa and fighting for action on the cost of living, stronger public services, environmental protection, and Indigenous rights.

For North Vancouver—Capilano, the party has received strong interest from prospective candidates and is proceeding with a contested nomination process. Further details will be announced in the coming days.

“I’m delighted that Shannon Devine and Raphaël Émond are carrying the NDP banner in Beaches—East York and Chicoutimi—Le Fjord. They bring deep experience, strong community roots, and a commitment to fighting for real solutions to the crushing cost-of-living crisis their communities face – from the high price of groceries and rent to our crumbling public services,” said Avi Lewis, Leader of Canada’s NDP.

“These byelections are an opportunity to send a strong message to the Liberal government that voters will not accept their abandonment of progressive values. Whether it’s rolling back climate action, supporting Trump’s war in Iran, or fast-tracking sweeping laws that serve powerful corporations, Canadians are looking for principled leadership that will put their interests first,” Lewis added.