What does a federal by-election cost taxpayers, and who decides when one is held?

Elections Canada's published estimates put recent one-riding by-elections at $1.2 million to $2.5 million each (2023–2025), including money returned to candidates. 2026 costs are not published yet.

What set it off. Thirteen seats have emptied since the April 28, 2025 election. On Aug. 10, The Canadian Press (CP) reported, citing Elections Canada, that 2026 by-elections could cost "upwards of $24 million."

The six questions

Who decides?

An MP decides to resign (Parliament of Canada Act, PCA, s. 25). The Speaker then sends a warrant to the Chief Electoral Officer. The federal cabinet (Governor in Council) sets the dates (Canada Elections Act, CEA, s. 57). Elections Canada runs and pays for the vote.

What?

The cost of filling a vacant seat.

When?

The writ must issue between the 11th and 180th day after the warrant is received (PCA s. 31(1)); voting is 36 to 50 days later (CEA s. 57(1.2)(c)). None is held if the vacancy comes less than nine months before the fixed election date, Oct. 15, 2029 (PCA s. 31(1.1); CEA s. 56.1(2)).

Where?

Only in the riding with the vacancy.

Why now?

Per CP, 2026 could see 12 by-elections, the most since 1978.

How?

By-election costs sit outside Elections Canada's Main Estimates; their number can't be predicted (Chief Electoral Officer, 2024). Costs are reported within 90 days after each year (CEA s. 534(2)).

Positions on the question

• Elections Canada: a by-election averages about $2 million (via CP). Its reports tie recent increases to inflation, Toronto-area costs and a longer calendar.
• The Prime Minister (via CP): wants seats filled quickly because constituents deserve representation.

What the numbers measure

Elections Canada's estimates (as of Dec. 31 each year):

• Calgary Heritage, July 24, 2023: $1.23 million
• Four ridings sharing June 19, 2023: $5.18 million
• Durham, March 4, 2024: $1.80 million
• Toronto—St. Paul's, June 24, 2024: $2.47 million
• Elmwood—Transcona and LaSalle—Émard—Verdun, Sept. 16, 2024: $3.69 million
• Cloverdale—Langley City, Dec. 16, 2024: $2.25 million
• Battle River—Crowfoot, Aug. 18, 2025: $2.34 million ($26.85 per registered elector)
• Halifax, cancelled when the 2025 general election was called: $0.88 million

Included: election workers, ballots, offices, polling places, advertising, temporary staff and IT. Also candidate reimbursements: winners and anyone with 10% of the vote get back 60% of paid election expenses (CEA ss. 477.73–477.74), plus an auditor subsidy (s. 477.75). That was 3% to 12% of each total.

Not included: party spending (CEA s. 444 reimburses parties for general elections only) and House of Commons costs for the vacant office.

5W1H arithmetic: the 11 contests held from 2023 to 2025 cost about $18.97 million, or $1.72 million each. Twelve at $2 million is $24 million; across the $1.23–$2.47 million range, $14.8–$29.7 million. Not official figures.

The MP's side

• Pay: $217,700 a year since April 1, 2026 (Board of Internal Economy). It stops when an MP resigns.
• Severance (PCA s. 70): half of pay plus any extra salary ($108,850 at base pay), for MPs who lose or don't run at a general election, or who die or leave through permanent illness. Other mid-term resignations aren't listed. Not paid if a pension starts at once (s. 71), with an under-55 exception.
• Transition services (Members By-Law s. 113.1): only for MPs not re-elected or not seeking re-election; a $15,000 limit, per 2019 Board minutes.
• What continues (By-Law ss. 109(3), 24(3)): up to two staff until the by-election, then up to 60 days' pay; constituency rent for up to 120 days.

Vacancies since April 28, 2025

• 13 seats vacated: 12 resignations, one election annulled by a court.
• The 12 resignations: six from the government side, six from other benches.
• 7 filled by by-elections; 6 vacant on Oct. 1, none with a date set. Latest call dates run from Dec. 19, 2026 to March 20, 2027.

What's established, claimed and unknown

• EstablishedThe cost estimates, rules and counts above. In 2024, the Chief Electoral Officer cited a $1.6 million average.
• Claimed (reports)The $2 million average and "upwards of $24 million." CP24's headline says $22 million; the story says $24 million.
• UnknownWhat the 2026 by-elections cost (report due by March 31, 2027); House of Commons spending on vacant offices; final 2023–2025 costs.

History of the rules

• By 2003: The 11-to-180-day window was in the PCA.
• 2007: Fixed election dates (CEA s. 56.1).
• 2018: Nine-month exception added.

What could change it

New timing or reimbursement rules take an Act of Parliament; the Board of Internal Economy sets Members' support. Cabinet can already hold several by-elections on one day.

Sources