Residents in the riding of Cloverdale-Langley City are heading to the polls to decide who they want to represent them in Ottawa.
The byelection, which was triggered when Liberal John Aldag stepped down to run in the provincial election earlier this year, has been seen by many as yet another test for Justin Trudeau and his party, who have lost two seats in the past few months that were long viewed as secure.
The Liberals held the seat from 2015 to 2019, and regained it in 2021 following a brief stint of Conservative control. That gap in Liberal dominance came at the hands of Tamara Jansen, who is once again running under the Conservative banner. During the last election, right-wing voters were split between her party and the People's Party of Canada. Support for the latter has since waned, though the party is fielding a candidate this time around.
Jansen's main rival is Liberal Madison Fleischer, a local small business owner and first-time politician whose Slava Sweatshirts project earned her recognition as one of Surrey’s Top 25 Under 25.
"I understand the priorities of the families in Cloverdale–Langley City," Fleischer said, "and I'm ready to get to work to deliver a better future for our community. Together, we can make sure everyone is able to visit the dentist, afford a home of their own, and get the prescription medications they need. I'm fighting to make life more affordable, deliver stronger public health care, take bold climate action, and create new local jobs and an economy that works for everyone in our community."
Jansen has made it clear that her goal is to "continue to bring her blend of strength and compassion to the House of Commons and the Conservative team, to ensure the brightest future for Cloverdale-Langley City."
The polls are set to close at 8:30 p.m. PST.
