Parties lost a swath of candidates last week. After Monday, it’ll be too late to replace them

As the federal election campaign continues to unfold, the issue of candidates dropping out or being removed from party tickets has become a prominent concern for political parties. In the first two weeks of the campaign alone, several candidates from both the Liberals and Conservatives have stepped away or been ousted from their positions.

The sudden surge in candidate removals has raised questions about the vetting process and the impact of the snap election call. Michele Cadario, a former Liberal campaign director, suggested that the expedited timeline may have led to hasty candidate selection decisions. With parties racing to finalize their nominated candidates by Monday’s deadline, the pressure to thoroughly vet potential contenders has intensified.

Dan Mader, who worked on the Conservatives’ 2021 campaign, noted that many of the dismissed candidates were likely in ridings the parties did not expect to win. However, he predicted that the calculus could shift as the campaign progresses. In some cases, parties may strategically withhold damaging information about opposing candidates until after the nomination deadline to disrupt their momentum early on.

Parties have until 2 p.m. ET on Monday to lock in their candidates, after which they will be unable to make any substitutions. This deadline adds an extra layer of complexity to the candidate selection process, as parties must carefully consider when to disclose potentially damaging information about rival candidates. Cadario emphasized that timing is crucial, as releasing damaging information early on can derail an opposing party’s momentum.

However, there are instances where candidates may undermine themselves through their actions or statements. If a candidate’s behavior is deemed unacceptable or contradictory to the party’s values, they may face removal from the ticket. The aftermath of such decisions can vary, as seen in past elections where candidates who were removed from their party still managed to secure victory as independents.

The implications of removing a candidate after the nomination deadline extend beyond party dynamics. It can create confusion for voters, particularly those who have already cast their ballots. Once the candidate list is finalized, Elections Canada cannot alter the ballots, meaning that votes for disqualified candidates remain unchanged.

In the fast-paced and unpredictable environment of an election campaign, the handling of candidate removals can greatly influence the outcome. Parties must navigate the delicate balance between strategic timing, ethical considerations, and voter transparency to ensure a fair and informed electoral process.