List of Ontario by-elections
The list of Ontario by-elections includes every by-election held in the Canadian province of Ontario . By-elections occur whenever there is a vacancy in the Legislative Assembly , although an imminent general election may allow the vacancy to remain until the dissolution of parliament .
Causes
A by-election occurs whenever there is a vacancy in the Ontario legislature. Vacancies can occur for the following reasons:
Death of a member.
Resignation of a member.
Voided results
Expulsion from the legislature.
Ineligibility to sit.
When there is a vacancy, a by-election must be called within six months. Under amendments to the Election Act approved in 2016, a by-election is no longer required when a vacancy occurs in the 12 months leading up to a fixed general election date .
Ministerial by-elections
The list includes ministerial by-elections which occurred due to the requirement that incumbent members recontest their seats upon being appointed to Cabinet . These by-elections were almost always uncontested. This requirement was amended in 1926 to exempt ministers appointed within three months after a general election. In 1941 it was abolished
completely.
43rd Legislative Assembly of Ontario 2022–present
42nd Legislative Assembly of Ontario 2018–2022
41st Legislative Assembly of Ontario 2014–2018
40th Legislative Assembly of Ontario 2011–2014
39th Legislative Assembly of Ontario 2007–2011
38th Legislative Assembly of Ontario 2003–2007
By-election
Date
Incumbent
Party
Winner
Party
Cause
Retained
Burlington
February 8, 2007
Cam Jackson
Progressive Conservative
Joyce Savoline
Progressive Conservative
Resignation to run for Mayor of Burlington
Yes
York South—Weston
February 8, 2007
Joe Cordiano
Liberal
Paul Ferreira
New Democratic
Resignation
No
Markham
February 8, 2007
Tony Wong
Liberal
Michael Chan
Liberal
Resignation to run municipally.
Yes
Parkdale—High Park
September 14, 2006
Gerard Kennedy
Liberal
Cheri DiNovo
New Democratic
Resignation to seek federal Liberal leadership.
No
Whitby—Ajax
March 30, 2006
Jim Flaherty
Progressive Conservative
Christine Elliott
Progressive Conservative
Resignation to run federally.
Yes
Toronto—Danforth
March 26, 2006
Marilyn Churley
New Democratic
Peter Tabuns
New Democratic
Resignation to run federally.
Yes
Nepean—Carleton
March 26, 2006
John Baird
Progressive Conservative
Lisa MacLeod
Progressive Conservative
Resignation to run federally.
Yes
Scarborough—Rouge River
November 24, 2005
Alvin Curling
Liberal
Bas Balkissoon
Liberal
Resignation to accept diplomatic posting.
Yes
Dufferin—Peel—Wellington—Grey
March 17, 2005
Ernie Eves
Progressive Conservative
John Tory
Progressive Conservative
Resignation.
Yes
Hamilton East
May 13, 2004
Dominic Agostino
Liberal
Andrea Horwath
New Democratic
Death
No
37th Legislative Assembly of Ontario 1999–2003
36th Legislative Assembly of Ontario 1995–1999
35th Legislative Assembly of Ontario 1990–1995
34th Legislative Assembly of Ontario 1987–1990
33rd Legislative Assembly of Ontario 1985–1987
32nd Legislative Assembly of Ontario 1981–1985
31st Legislative Assembly of Ontario 1977–1981
30th Legislative Assembly of Ontario 1975–1977
no by-elections
29th Legislative Assembly of Ontario 1971–1975
28th Legislative Assembly of Ontario 1967–1971
27th Legislative Assembly of Ontario 1963–1967
26th Legislative Assembly of Ontario 1959–1963
25th Legislative Assembly of Ontario 1955–1959
By-election
Date
Incumbent
Party
Winner
Party
Cause
Retained
Hastings East
August 28, 1958†
Roscoe Robson
Progressive Conservative
Lloyd Harrison Price
Progressive Conservative [ 2]
Appointed Sheriff
Yes
Lanark
August 28, 1958†
John Arthur McCue
Progressive Conservative
George Gomme
Progressive Conservative
Death
Yes
Cochrane North
May 12, 1958
Philip Timothy Kelly
Progressive Conservative
René Brunelle
Progressive Conservative
Resignation
Yes
Huron
May 12, 1958
Thomas Pryde
Progressive Conservative
Charles MacNaughton
Progressive Conservative
Death
Yes
Renfrew North
May 12, 1958
Stanley Joseph Hunt
Progressive Conservative
Maurice Hamilton
Progressive Conservative
Resigned to enter federal politics
Yes
St. George
May 12, 1958
Dana Porter
Progressive Conservative
Allan Lawrence
Progressive Conservative
Appointed Chief Justice of the Ontario Court of Appeal
Yes
Elgin
January 30, 1958
Fletcher Stewart Thomas
Progressive Conservative
Ron McNeil
Progressive Conservative
Death
Yes
Lanark
October 24, 1957
George Doucett
Progressive Conservative
John Arthur McCue
Progressive Conservative
Resigned to enter federal politics
Yes
Glengarry
September 5, 1957
Osie Villeneuve
Progressive Conservative
Fernand Guindon
Progressive Conservative
Resigned to enter federal politics
Yes
Middlesex North
September 5, 1957
Thomas L. Patrick
Progressive Conservative
William Atcheson Stewart
Progressive Conservative
Death
Yes
York West
October 18, 1956
W. Elmer Brandon
Progressive Conservative
Leslie Rowntree
Progressive Conservative
Death
Yes
Renfrew South
January 12, 1956
James Shannon Dempsey
Progressive Conservative
James Anthony Maloney
Progressive Conservative
Death
Yes
† Won by acclamation
24th Legislative Assembly of Ontario 1951–1955
23rd Legislative Assembly of Ontario 1948–1951
22nd Legislative Assembly of Ontario 1945–1948
21st Legislative Assembly of Ontario 1943–1945
20th Legislative Assembly of Ontario 1937–1943
By-election
Date
Incumbent
Party
Winner
Party
Cause
Retained
Grey South
February 24, 1941†
Farquhar Oliver
United Farmers of Ontario
Farquhar Oliver
Liberal
Sought re-election upon appointment as Minister of Public Works
No
Ottawa East
November 27, 1940
Paul Leduc
Liberal
Robert Laurier
Liberal
Resignation
Yes
Simcoe Centre
October 23, 1940†
Leonard Jennett Simpson
Liberal
Duncan McArthur
Liberal
Death
Yes
Simcoe East
February 14, 1939†
William Finlayson
Conservative
George A. Drew
Conservative
Resignation to provide a seat for Conservative leader Drew
Yes
Parkdale
October 5, 1938
Fred McBrien
Conservative
William James Stewart
Conservative
Death
Yes
Waterloo South
September 28, 1938†
Norman Hipel
Liberal
Norman Hipel
Liberal
Sought re-election upon appointment as Minister of Labour
Yes
Brantford
July 20, 1938
Morrison Mann MacBride
Independent-Liberal *
Louis Hagey
Liberal
Death
Yes
Lambton East
March 22, 1938
Milton Duncan McVicar
Liberal
Charles Oliver Fairbank
Liberal
Death
Yes
Hamilton Centre
March 2, 1938
William Frederick Schwenger
Liberal
John Newlands
Liberal
Resigned to become a judge
Yes
Sault Ste. Marie
November 23, 1937†
Richard McMeekin
Liberal
Colin Campbell
Liberal
Resignation to provide a seat for Campbell
Yes
† Won by acclamation
*Though nominally an "Independent-Liberal", MacBride was a supporter of the Liberal government and was a cabinet minister at the time of his death
19th Legislative Assembly of Ontario 1934–1937
† Won by acclamation
18th Legislative Assembly of Ontario 1929–1934
By-election
Date
Incumbent
Party
Winner
Party
Cause
Retained
Kent East
January 3, 1934†
Philip James Henry
Conservative
Douglas Munro Campbell
Liberal
Death
No
York West
May 28, 1932
Forbes Godfrey
Conservative
Henry Isaac Price
Conservative
Death
Yes
Wellington South
November 18, 1931
Lincoln Goldie
Conservative
Duncan Paul Munro
Liberal
Died
No
Dundas
August 29, 1931†
George Holmes Challies
Conservative
George Holmes Challies
Conservative
Sought re-election upon appointment as Provincial Secretary and Registrar
Yes
Norfolk
July 8, 1931
John Strickler Martin
Conservative
Arthur Campbell Burt
Conservative
Death
Yes
Grenville
February 11, 1931
Howard Ferguson
Conservative
James Alfred Sanderson
Conservative
Resigned to accept appointment as Canadian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom
Yes
Hamilton West
February 11, 1931
Frederick Thomas Smye
Conservative
D'Arcy Argue Counsell Martin
Conservative
Death
Yes
Lanark South
October 29, 1930
James Alexander Anderson
Conservative
Egerton Reuben Stedman
Conservative
Death
Yes
Nipissing
October 29, 1930
Henri Morel
Conservative
Charles Robert Harrison
Conservative
Resigned to run in the 1930 federal election
Yes
Perth South
October 29, 1930
David Bonis
Conservative
Charles Edward Richardson
Conservative
Death
Yes
Waterloo South
October 29, 1930
Karl Kenneth Homuth
Conservative
Norman Hipel
Liberal
Resigned to run in the 1930 federal election
No
Algoma
October 18, 1930†
John Morrow Robb
Conservative
John Morrow Robb
Conservative
Sought re-election upon appointment as Minister of Health
Yes
Brantford
October 18, 1930†
William George Martin
Conservative
William George Martin
Conservative
Sought re-election upon appointment as Minister of Public Welfare
Yes
Peel
October 18, 1930†
Thomas Laird Kennedy
Conservative
Thomas Laird Kennedy
Conservative
Sought re-election upon appointment as Minister of Agriculture
Yes
Renfrew North
October 18, 1930†
Edward Arunah Dunlop
Conservative
Edward Arunah Dunlop
Conservative
Sought re-election upon appointment as Provincial Treasurer
Yes
York South
October 18, 1930†
Leopold Macaulay
Conservative
Leopold Macaulay
Conservative
Sought re-election upon appointment as Provincial Secretary and Registrar
Yes
† Won by acclamation
17th Legislative Assembly of Ontario 1926–1929
† Won by acclamation
16th Legislative Assembly of Ontario 1923–1926
By-election
Date
Incumbent
Party
Winner
Party
Cause
Retained
Toronto Northwest A
July 7, 1924
Thomas Crawford
Conservative
William Henry Edwards
Conservative
Resigned to accept appointment as Registrar
Yes
Waterloo South
June 23, 1924
Karl Kenneth Homuth
Labour
Karl Kenneth Homuth
Labour
Election declared void
Yes
Lennox
October 22, 1923
John Perry Vrooman
Liberal
Charles Wesley Hambly
Conservative
Death
No
York West
August 16, 1923†
Forbes Godfrey
Conservative
Forbes Godfrey
Conservative
Sought re-election upon appointment as Minister of Labour
Yes
York East
August 16, 1923†
George Stewart Henry
Conservative
George Stewart Henry
Conservative
Sought re-election upon appointment as Minister of Public Works and Highways
Yes
Wellington South
August 16, 1923†
Lincoln Goldie
Conservative
Lincoln Goldie
Conservative
Sought re-election upon appointment as Provincial Secretary and Registrar
Yes
Sudbury
August 16, 1923†
Charles McCrea
Conservative
Charles McCrea
Conservative
Sought re-election upon appointment as Minister of Mines
Yes
Sault Ste. Marie
August 16, 1923†
James Winfield Lyons
Conservative
James Winfield Lyons
Conservative
Sought re-election upon appointment as Minister of Lands and Forests
Yes
Parkdale
August 16, 1923†
William Herbert Price
Conservative
William Herbert Price
Conservative
Sought re-election upon appointment as Provincial Treasurer
Yes
Norfolk South
August 16, 1923†
John Strickler Martin
Conservative
John Strickler Martin
Conservative
Sought re-election upon appointment as Minister of Agriculture
Yes
Kingston
August 16, 1923†
William Folger Nickle
Conservative
William Folger Nickle
Conservative
Sought re-election upon appointment as Attorney-General
Yes
Grenville
August 16, 1923†
George Howard Ferguson
Conservative
George Howard Ferguson
Conservative
Sought re-election upon appointment as Premier and Minister of Education
Yes
† Won by acclamation
15th Legislative Assembly of Ontario 1919–1923
By-election
Date
Incumbent
Party
Winner
Party
Cause
Retained
Russell
October 23, 1922
Damase Racine
Liberal
Alfred Goulet
Liberal
Death
Yes
Toronto Southeast A
October 23, 1922
John O'Neill
Liberal
John Allister Currie
Conservative
Death
No
Kingston
February 6, 1922
Arthur Edward Ross
Conservative
William Folger Nickle
Conservative
Resigned to run in the 1921 federal election
Yes
Oxford North
December 19, 1921
John Alexander Calder
Liberal
David Munroe Ross
United Farmers of Ontario
Death
No
Toronto Northeast A
November 8, 1920
Henry John Cody
Conservative
Alexander Cameron Lewis
Conservative
Resignation
Yes
Fort William
July 19, 1920†
Harry Mills
Labour
Harry Mills
Labour
Sought re-election upon appointment as Minister of Mines
Yes
Wellington East
February 23, 1920†
Albert Hellyer
United Farmers of Ontario
William Raney
United Farmers of Ontario
Resignation to provide a seat for Raney
Yes
Halton
February 16, 1920
John Featherstone Ford
United Farmers of Ontario
Ernest Charles Drury
United Farmers of Ontario
Resignation to provide a seat for Drury
Yes
Kent East
February 9, 1920†
James B. Clark
United Farmers of Ontario
Manning Doherty
United Farmers of Ontario
Resignation to provide a seat for Doherty
Yes
Brant North
December 15, 1919†
Harry Nixon
United Farmers of Ontario
Harry Nixon
United Farmers of Ontario
Sought re-election upon appointment as Provincial Secretary and Registrar
Yes
Wentworth North
December 15, 1919†
Frank Campbell Biggs
United Farmers of Ontario
Frank Campbell Biggs
United Farmers of Ontario
Sought re-election upon appointment as Minister of Public Works and Highways
Yes
Perth South
December 15, 1919†
Peter Smith
United Farmers of Ontario
Peter Smith
United Farmers of Ontario
Sought re-election upon appointment as Provincial Treasurer
Yes
Manitoulin
December 15, 1919†
Beniah Bowman
United Farmers of Ontario
Beniah Bowman
United Farmers of Ontario
Sought re-election upon appointment as Minister of Lands, Forests and Mines
Yes
Hamilton West
December 15, 1919†
Walter Rollo
Labour
Walter Rollo
Labour
Sought re-election upon appointment as Minister of Labour
Yes
Carleton
December 15, 1919†
Robert Henry Grant
United Farmers of Ontario
Robert Henry Grant
United Farmers of Ontario
Sought re-election upon appointment as Minister of Education
Yes
† Won by acclamation
14th Legislative Assembly of Ontario 1914–1919
By-election
Date
Incumbent
Party
Winner
Party
Cause
Retained
Ontario North
February 18, 1919
William Hoyle
Conservative
John Wesley Widdifield
United Farmers of Ontario
Death
No
St. Catharines
February 15, 1919
Elisha Jessop
Conservative
Frederick Raymond Parnell
Conservative
Death
Yes
Huron North
December 2, 1918
Armstrong Musgrove
Conservative
William Henry Fraser
Liberal
Resignation upon appointment as Postmaster of Wingham
No
Manitoulin
October 24, 1918
Robert Roswell Gamey
Conservative
Beniah Bowman
United Farmers of Ontario
Death
No
Oxford North
September 23, 1918†
Newton Wesley Rowell
Liberal
John Alexander Calder
Liberal
Resigned to run in the 1917 federal election.
Yes
Lennox
August 29, 1918†
Thomas George Carscallen
Conservative
Reginald Amherst Fowler
Conservative
Death
Yes
York East
August 19, 1918
George Stewart Henry
Conservative
George Stewart Henry
Conservative
Sought re-election upon appointment as Minister of Agriculture
Yes
Toronto Northeast A
August 19, 1918
Robert Allan Pyne
Conservative
Henry John Cody
Conservative
Resigned to accept position as Clerk of York County.
Yes
Toronto Northwest B
January 22, 1917
William David McPherson
Conservative
William David McPherson
Conservative
Sought re-election upon appointment as Provincial Secretary and Registrar
Yes
Simcoe West
January 15, 1917†
James Stoddart Duff
Conservative
William Torrance Allen
Conservative
Death
Yes
Toronto Southwest A
August 21, 1916
James Joseph Foy
Conservative
Hartley Dewart
Liberal
Death
No
Perth North
July 10, 1916
James Torrance
Conservative
Wellington Hay
Liberal
Appointed Registrar
No
Muskoka
June 12, 1916†
Samuel Henry Armstrong
Conservative
George Walter Ecclestone
Conservative
Death
Yes
Peel
February 24, 1916
James Robinson Fallis
Conservative
William James Lowe
Liberal
Resignation
No
Algoma
October 25, 1915†
Albert Grigg
Conservative
John Morrow Robb
Conservative
Resignation upon appointment as Deputy Minister of Crown Lands
Yes
Grenville
January 7, 1915†
George Howard Ferguson
Conservative
George Howard Ferguson
Conservative
Sought re-election upon appointment as Minister of Lands, Forests and Mines
Yes
Renfrew South
January 7, 1915†
Thomas William McGarry
Conservative
Thomas William McGarry
Conservative
Sought re-election upon appointment as Provincial Treasurer
Yes
Dundas
December 7, 1914
Sir James Whitney
Conservative
Irwin Foster Hilliard
Conservative
Death
Yes
Hamilton West
November 18, 1914
John Strathearn Hendrie
Conservative
John Allan
Conservative
Appointed Lieutenant Governor of Ontario
Yes
Elgin West
October 21, 1914†
Findlay George MacDiarmid
Conservative
Findlay George MacDiarmid
Conservative
Sought re-election upon appointment as Minister of Public Works
Yes
† Won by acclamation
13th Legislative Assembly of Ontario 1911–1914
† Won by acclamation
12th Legislative Assembly of Ontario 1908–1911
† Won by acclamation
11th Legislative Assembly of Ontario 1905–1908
By-election
Date
Incumbent
Party
Winner
Party
Cause
Retained
Brockville
October 7, 1907
George Perry Graham
Liberal
Albert Edward Donovan
Conservative
Resignation on entering federal politics
No
Dufferin
July 24, 1907
Frederick William Lewis
Conservative
Charles Robert McKeown
Conservative
Death
Yes
York West
June 1, 1907
Joseph Wesley St. John
Conservative
Forbes Godfrey
Conservative
Death
Yes
Carleton
March 18, 1907
George Nelson Kidd
Conservative
Robert McElroy
Conservative
Death
Yes
Middlesex West
February 20, 1907
George William Ross
Liberal
Duncan Campbell Ross
Liberal
Appointed to the Senate
Yes
Hamilton East
December 4, 1906
Henry Carscallen
Conservative
Allan Studholme
Labour
Death
No
Cardwell
September 21, 1906†
Edward Alfred Little
Conservative
Alexander Ferguson
Conservative
Appointed Registrar
Yes
Toronto North
February 22, 1906
William Beattie Nesbitt
Conservative
William Kirkpatrick McNaught
Conservative
Appointed registrar of West Toronto
Yes
Kingston
January 29, 1906
Edward John Barker Pense
Liberal
Edward John Barker Pense
Liberal
Election declared void
Yes
Nipissing East
June 13, 1905†
Charles Lamarche
Conservative
Francis Cochrane
Conservative
Resignation to provide a seat for Cochrane
Yes
Toronto South
February 21, 1905†
James Joseph Foy
Conservative
James Joseph Foy
Conservative
Sought re-election upon appointment as Commissioner of Crown Lands
Yes
Toronto East
February 21, 1905†
Robert Allan Pyne
Conservative
Robert Allan Pyne
Conservative
Sought re-election upon appointment as Minister of Education
Yes
Perth South
February 21, 1905†
Samuel Nelson Monteith
Conservative
Samuel Nelson Monteith
Conservative
Sought re-election upon appointment as Minister of Agriculture
Yes
Lanark South
February 21, 1905†
Arthur James Matheson
Conservative
Arthur James Matheson
Conservative
Sought re-election upon appointment as Provincial Treasurer
Yes
Lambton West
February 21, 1905†
William John Hanna
Conservative
William John Hanna
Conservative
Sought re-election upon appointment as Provincial Secretary and Registrar
Yes
Essex North
February 21, 1905†
Joseph Octave Reaume
Conservative
Joseph Octave Reaume
Conservative
Sought re-election upon appointment as Commissioner of Public Works
Yes
Dundas
February 21, 1905†
James Pliny Whitney
Conservative
James Pliny Whitney
Conservative
Sought re-election upon appointment as Premier and Attorney-General
Yes
† Won by acclamation
10th Legislative Assembly of Ontario 1902–1904
9th Legislative Assembly of Ontario 1898–1902
By-election
Date
Incumbent
Party
Winner
Party
Cause
Retained
Kingston
January 30, 1902†
William Harty
Liberal
Edward John Barker Pense
Liberal
Resignation to enter federal politics
Yes
Huron West
December 4, 1901
James Thompson Garrow
Liberal
James Thompson Garrow
Liberal
Void Election
Yes
Kent East
November 4, 1901†
Robert Ferguson
Liberal
John Lee
Liberal
Death
Yes
London
July 9, 1901
Francis Baxter Leys
Liberal
Francis Baxter Leys
Liberal
Sought re-election in support of removing a dam on the Thames River
Yes
Welland
December 13, 1900
William Manley German
Liberal
John Franklin Gross
Liberal
Resignation to enter federal politics
Yes
Waterloo North
October 31, 1900†
Louis Jacob Breithaupt
Liberal
Louis Jacob Breithaupt
Liberal
Void Election
Yes
Renfrew North
June 19, 1900†
Andrew Thomas White
Conservative
John W. Munro
Liberal
Death
No
Middlesex East
January 31, 1900
Thomas D. Hodgins
Conservative
Thomas Robson
Conservative
Death
Yes
Brant South
December 12, 1899
Arthur Sturgis Hardy
Liberal
Thomas Hiram Preston
Liberal
Resignation
Yes
Elgin East
December 12, 1899
Charles Andrew Brower
Conservative
Charles Andrew Brower
Conservative
Void Election
Yes
Elgin West
December 12, 1899
Donald Macnish
Liberal
Findlay George MacDiarmid
Conservative
Void Election
No
Ontario South
December 12, 1899
John Dryden
Liberal
John Dryden
Liberal
Void Election
Yes
Renfrew South
November 14, 1899
Robert Adam Campbell
Liberal
Francis Robert Latchford
Liberal
Resignation to provide a seat for Latchford
Yes
Peterborough West
November 7, 1899†
James Robert Stratton
Liberal
James Robert Stratton
Liberal
Sought re-election upon appointment as Provincial Secretary and Registrar
Yes
Waterloo North
May 23, 1899
Henry George Lackner
Conservative
Louis Jacob Breithaupt
Liberal
Void Election
No
Perth South
February 28, 1899
William Caven Moscrip
Liberal
Samuel Nelson Monteith
Conservative
Void Election
No
Elgin West
January 12, 1899
Findlay George MacDiarmid
Conservative
Donald Macnish
Liberal
Void Election
No
Hastings North
December 27, 1898
William John Allen
Conservative
William John Allen
Conservative
Resignation in exchange for withdrawal of election petition
Yes
Nipissing
December 27, 1898
John Loughrin
Liberal
John Loughrin
Liberal
Void Election
Yes
Northumberland East
December 14, 1898
John Henry Douglas
Liberal
John Henry Douglas
Liberal
Void Election
Yes
Halton
December 8, 1898
John Roaf Barber
Liberal
John Roaf Barber
Liberal
Void Election
Yes
Huron West
December 8, 1898
James Thompson Garrow
Liberal
James Thompson Garrow
Liberal
Void Election
Yes
Lennox
November 18, 1898
Bowen Ebenezer Aylsworth
Liberal
Bowen Ebenezer Aylsworth
Liberal
Void Election
Yes
Ontario South
November 1, 1898
Charles Calder
Conservative
John Dryden
Liberal
Void Election
No
Wellington East
October 27, 1898
John Craig
Liberal
John Morison Gibson
Liberal
Death
Yes
† Won by acclamation
8th Legislative Assembly of Ontario 1894–1898
By-election
Date
Incumbent
Party
Winner
Party
Cause
Retained
Essex South
October 20, 1896
William Douglas Balfour
Liberal
John Allan Auld
Liberal
Death
Yes
York North
September 8, 1896†
Elihu James Davis
Liberal
Elihu James Davis
Liberal
Sought re-election upon appointment as Provincial Secretary and Registrar
Yes
Oxford North
September 7, 1896
Oliver Mowat
Liberal
Andrew Pattulo
Liberal
Appointed to the Senate
Yes
Essex South
August 4, 1896†
William Douglas Balfour
Liberal
William Douglas Balfour
Liberal
Sought re-election upon appointment as Provincial Secretary and Registrar
Yes
Wentworth South
January 24, 1896
Nicholas Awrey
Liberal
John Dickenson
Liberal
Appointed Sheriff of Wentworth County
Yes
Wellington West
January 24, 1896
George Tucker
Conservative -PPA
James Tucker
Conservative
Void Election
Yes
Kingston
October 8, 1895†
William Harty
Liberal
William Harty
Liberal
Void Election
Yes
Brant North
May 20, 1895†
William Bruce Wood
Liberal
Daniel Burt
Liberal
Resignation
Yes
Haldimand
March 19, 1895
John Senn
Conservative
Jacob Baxter
Liberal
Void Election
No
Algoma West
January 29, 1895
James M. Savage
Conservative
James Conmee
Liberal
Void Election
No
Kingston
January 28, 1895
Edward H. Smythe
Conservative
William Harty
Liberal
Void Election
No
London
November 20, 1894
William Ralph Meredith
Conservative
Thomas Saunders Hobbs
Liberal
Appointed a judge
No
† Won by acclamation
7th Legislative Assembly of Ontario 1890–1894
By-election
Date
Incumbent
Party
Winner
Party
Cause
Retained
Lanark South
February 16, 1894
Nathaniel McLenaghan
Conservative
James Maitland Clarke
Liberal
Resignation
No
Lambton East
December 2, 1893
Hugh McKenzie
Liberal
Peter Duncan McCallum
Independent Conservative
Death
No
Bruce North
December 2, 1893
David Porter
Liberal
Daniel McNaughton
Liberal
Death
Yes
Toronto
February 28, 1893
Nelson Gordon Bigelow
Liberal
George Ryerson
Conservative
Death
No
Peel
December 30, 1892
Kenneth Chisholm
Liberal
John Smith
Liberal
Appointed Registrar for Peel County
Yes
Toronto
April 29, 1892
Henry Edward Clarke
Conservative
Nelson Gordon Bigelow
Liberal
Death
No
Renfrew North
February 29, 1892
Arunah Dunlop
Conservative
Henry Barr
Liberal
Death
No
Kingston
February 29, 1892
James Henry Metcalfe
Conservative
William Harty
Liberal
Resignation to enter federal politics
No
Wellington East
November 10, 1891
Charles Clarke
Liberal
James Kirkwood
Liberal
Appointed Clerk of the House
Yes
Grey South
April 2, 1891†
James Hill Hunter
Liberal
Gilbert McKechnie
Liberal
Death
Yes
Bruce North
March 3, 1891
John George
Conservative
David Porter
Liberal
Void Election
No
Hamilton
February 24, 1891
Thomas Henry Stinson
Conservative
John Morison Gibson
Liberal
Void Election
No
Perth North
January 23, 1891
Alfred Emanuel Ahrens
Liberal
Thomas Magwood
Conservative
Void Election
No
Norfolk South
January 23, 1891
William Andrew Charlton
Liberal
William Andrew Charlton
Liberal
Void Election
Yes
Norfolk North
January 23, 1891
John Bailey Freeman
Liberal
Edwin Clarendon Carpenter
Liberal
Death
Yes
Durham East
January 23, 1891
George Campbell
Conservative-Equal Rights
George Campbell
Conservative-Equal Rights
Void Election
Yes
Ontario South
September 30, 1890†
John Dryden
Liberal
John Dryden
Liberal
Sought re-election upon appointment as Commissioner of Agriculture
Yes
Monck
September 30, 1890†
Richard Harcourt
Liberal
Richard Harcourt
Liberal
Sought re-election upon appointment as Provincial Treasurer
Yes
† Won by acclamation
6th Legislative Assembly of Ontario 1886–1890
By-election
Date
Incumbent
Party
Winner
Party
Cause
Retained
Lambton West
October 19, 1889†
Timothy Blair Pardee
Liberal
Charles MacKenzie
Liberal
Death
Yes
Hamilton
January 31, 1889†
John Morison Gibson
Liberal
John Morison Gibson
Liberal
Sought re-election upon appointment as Provincial Secretary and Registrar
Yes
Northumberland East
October 11, 1888
Richard Clarke
Liberal
William Arnson Willoughby
Conservative
Death
No
Frontenac
October 11, 1888
Henry Wilmot
Conservative
Hugh Smith
Conservative
Death
Yes
Elgin East
October 11, 1888
Thomas McIntyre Nairn
Liberal
James Charles Dance
Liberal
Death
Yes
Lanark North
October 4, 1888†
Daniel Hilliard
Liberal
William Clyde Caldwell
Liberal
Death
Yes
York North
May 23, 1888†
Joseph Henry Widdifield
Liberal
Elihu James Davis
Liberal
Resignation
Yes
Simcoe East
May 16, 1888†
Charles Alfred Drury
Liberal
Charles Alfred Drury
Liberal
Sought re-election upon appointment as Commissioner of Agriculture
Yes
Northumberland East
February 1, 1888
William Arnson Willoughby
Conservative
Richard Clarke
Liberal
Void Election
No
Dundas
January 31, 1888
Theodore F. Chamberlain
Liberal
James Pliny Whitney
Conservative
Void Election
No
† Won by acclamation
5th Legislative Assembly of Ontario 1883–1886
By-election
Date
Incumbent
Party
Winner
Party
Cause
Retained
Algoma East
June 29, 1885
New Seat
Robert Adam Lyon
Liberal
Algoma divided
N/A
Simcoe East
June 26, 1885
Charles Alfred Drury
Liberal
Charles Alfred Drury
Liberal
Void Election
Yes
Lennox
June 26, 1885
George Douglas Hawley
Liberal
George Douglas Hawley
Liberal
Void Election
Yes
Algoma West
June 26, 1885
New Seat
James Conmee
Liberal
Algoma divided
N/A
Kent East
June 19, 1885†
Daniel McCraney
Liberal
Robert Ferguson
Liberal
Death
Yes
Renfrew South
January 27, 1885
John Francis Dowling
Liberal
John Francis Dowling
Liberal
Void Election
Yes
Lennox
August 28, 1884
Alexander Hall Roe
Conservative
George Douglas Hawley
Liberal
Death
No
Muskoka and Parry Sound
July 23, 1884
Frederick G. Fauquier
Conservative
Jacob William Dill
Liberal
Void Election
No
Grey East
March 18, 1884
Abram William Lauder
Conservative
Neil McColman
Conservative
Death
Yes
Oxford South
March 5, 1884
Adam Crooks
Liberal
George Atwell Cooke
Liberal
Crooks declared "incurably insane" and seat vacated
Yes
Renfrew South
January 18, 1884
John Francis Dowling
Liberal
John Francis Dowling
Liberal
Void Election
Yes
Simcoe West
December 14, 1883
Orson James Phelps
Liberal
Orson James Phelps
Liberal
Void Election
Yes
Middlesex West
December 14, 1883
Alexander Johnston
Conservative
George William Ross
Liberal
Void Election
No
Cardwell
December 14, 1883
William Henry Hammell
Conservative
William Henry Hammell
Conservative
Void Election
Yes
Huron West
November 16, 1883†
Alexander McLagan Ross
Liberal
Alexander McLagan Ross
Liberal
Sought re-election upon appointment as Provincial Treasurer and Commissioner of Agriculture
Yes
Brant North
June 16, 1883
James Young
Liberal
James Young
Liberal
Sought re-election upon appointment as Provincial Treasurer and Commissioner of Agriculture
Yes
† Won by acclamation
4th Legislative Assembly of Ontario 1879–1883
By-election
Date
Incumbent
Party
Winner
Party
Cause
Retained
Muskoka and Parry Sound
October 30, 1882
John Classon Miller
Liberal
James Whitney Bettes
Liberal
Resignation to contest the 1882 federal election
Yes
Waterloo South
October 18, 1882
James Livingston
Liberal
Isaac Master
Liberal
Resignation to contest the 1882 federal election
Yes
Simcoe East
October 18, 1882
Herman Henry Cook
Liberal
Charles Alfred Drury
Liberal
Resignation to contest the 1882 federal election
Yes
Renfrew North
October 18, 1882†
Thomas Murray
Liberal
William Balmer McAllister
Conservative
Resignation to contest the 1882 federal election
Yes*
Hastings West
October 18, 1882
Alexander Robertson
Conservative
Baltis Rose
Conservative
Resignation to contest the 1882 federal election
Yes
Glengarry
October 18, 1882
Donald Macmaster
Conservative
James Rayside
Liberal
Resignation to contest the 1882 federal election
No
Essex South
October 18, 1882
Lewis Wigle
Conservative
William Douglas Balfour
Liberal
Resignation to contest the 1882 federal election
No
Bruce South
October 18, 1882
Rupert Mearse Wells
Liberal
Hamilton Parke O'Connor
Liberal
Resignation to contest the 1882 federal election
Yes
Peterborough West
August 24, 1881†
William Hepburn Scott
Conservative
Robert Kincaid
Conservative
Death
Yes
Durham East
June 29, 1881
John Rosevear
Conservative
Charles Herbert Brereton
Conservative
Death
Yes
Waterloo North
June 27, 1881
Moses Springer
Liberal
Elias Weber Bingeman Snider
Liberal
Resignation to become Sheriff of Waterloo County
Yes
Ontario North
June 4, 1881
Thomas Paxton
Liberal
Frank Madill
Conservative
Resignation to become Sheriff of Ontario County
No
Prescott
April 14, 1881
William Harkin
Conservative
Albert Hagar
Liberal
Death
No
Hastings West
January 30, 1880
Alexander Robertson
Conservative
Alexander Robertson
Conservative
Void Election
Yes
Stormont
January 23, 1880
Joseph Kerr
Conservative
Joseph Kerr
Conservative
Void Election
Yes
Dufferin
January 9, 1880
John Barr
Conservative
William Jelly
Conservative
Void Election
Yes
† Won by acclamation
*McAllister was a supporter of Mowat's government
3rd Legislative Assembly of Ontario 1875–1879
By-election
Date
Incumbent
Party
Winner
Party
Cause
Retained
Toronto East
December 21, 1878
Matthew Crooks Cameron
Conservative
Alexander Morris
Conservative
Appointed a judge
Yes
Monck
December 21, 1878
Henry Ryan Haney
Liberal
Richard Harcourt
Liberal
Death
Yes
Simcoe South
October 29, 1878
William McDougall
Independent Liberal
William James Parkhill
Conservative
Resignation to contest the 1878 federal election
No
Essex North
October 29, 1878
James Colebrooke Patterson
Conservative
Solomon White
Conservative
Resignation to contest the 1878 federal election
Yes
Elgin West
October 29, 1878
Thomas Hodgins
Liberal
David McLaws
Liberal
Resignation to contest the 1878 federal election
Yes
Algoma
October 8, 1878†
Simon James Dawson
Liberal
Robert Adam Lyon
Liberal
Resignation to contest the 1878 federal election
Yes
Brant South
March 29, 1877†
Arthur Sturgis Hardy
Liberal
Arthur Sturgis Hardy
Liberal
Sought re-election upon appointment as Provincial Secretary and Registrar
Yes
Waterloo South
February 19, 1877
John Fleming
Liberal
Isaac Master
Liberal
Death
Yes
Frontenac
February 12, 1877
Peter Graham
Conservative
Delino Dexter Calvin
Conservative
Death
Yes
Wellington South
October 11, 1876†
Peter Gow
Liberal
James Massie
Liberal
Resignation to become Sheriff of Wellington County
Yes
Northumberland East
November 9, 1875
James Marshall Ferris
Liberal
James Marshall Ferris
Liberal
Void Election
Yes
Halton
November 2, 1875
William Barber
Liberal
William Durie Lyon
Liberal
Void Election
Yes
Grey North
October 30, 1875
Thomas Scott
Conservative
David Creighton
Conservative
Void Election
Yes
Wentworth North
October 29, 1875
Thomas Stock
Conservative
James McMahon
Liberal
Void Election
No
Peterborough West
October 26, 1875
George Albertus Cox
Liberal
William Hepburn Scott
Conservative
Void Election
No
Victoria North
September 29, 1875
John David Smith
Liberal
Duncan McRae
Conservative
Void Election
No
Wellington West
September 27, 1875
John McGowan
Liberal-Conservative
John McGowan
Liberal-Conservative
Void Election
Yes
Dundas
September 25, 1875
Andrew Broder
Conservative
Andrew Broder
Conservative
Void Election
Yes
Peterborough East
September 24, 1875
John C. O'Sullivan
Conservative
John C. O'Sullivan
Conservative
Void Election
Yes
Kent East
September 17, 1875
Archibald McKellar
Liberal
Daniel McCraney
Liberal
Appointed Sheriff of Wentworth County
Yes
Essex South
September 17, 1875
Lewis Wigle
Conservative
Lewis Wigle
Conservative
Void Election
Yes
Oxford South
September 11, 1875
Adam Oliver
Liberal
Adam Crooks
Liberal
Void Election
Yes
Russell
August 12, 1875
Adam Jacob Baker
Conservative
Adam Jacob Baker
Conservative
Void Election
Yes
Victoria South
August 10, 1875
Samuel Casey Wood
Liberal
Samuel Casey Wood
Liberal
Sought re-election upon appointment as Provincial Secretary and Commissioner of Agriculture
Yes
Cornwall
July 17, 1875
Alexander Fraser McIntyre
Conservative
John Goodall Snetsinger
Liberal
Void Election
No
Welland
July 2, 1875
James Currie
Liberal
James Currie
Liberal
Void Election
Yes
Monck
June 22, 1875
Henry Ryan Haney
Liberal
Henry Ryan Haney
Liberal
Void Election
Yes
Ontario North
June 21, 1875
Thomas Paxton
Liberal
Thomas Paxton
Liberal
Void Election
Yes
Simcoe South
May 26, 1875
D'Arcy Boulton
Conservative
William McDougall
Independent Liberal
Death
No
† Won by acclamation
2nd Legislative Assembly of Ontario 1871–1874
By-election
Date
Incumbent
Party
Winner
Party
Cause
Retained
Peterborough West
July 30, 1874
Thomas McCulloch Fairbairn
Liberal
William Hepburn Scott
Conservative
Death
No
Wellington North
February 20, 1874
Robert McKim
Liberal
John McGowan
Conservative
Resignation to enter federal politics
No
Perth North
February 14, 1874
Andrew Monteith
Conservative
Thomas Mayne Daly
Conservative
Resignation to enter federal politics
Yes
Oxford South
January 19, 1874†
Adam Oliver
Liberal
Adam Oliver
Liberal
Resignation due to not being appointed Sheriff of Oxford County and selling timber to the provincial government
Yes
Ottawa
January 18, 1874
Richard William Scott
Liberal
Daniel John O'Donoghue
Independent Labour
Appointed to the Senate
Yes
Simcoe South
December 30, 1873
Thomas Roberts Ferguson
Conservative
D'Arcy Boulton
Conservative
Resignation
Yes
Peel
December 19, 1873
John Coyne
Conservative
Kenneth Chisholm
Liberal
Death
No
Grenville South
December 9, 1873†
Christopher Finlay Fraser
Liberal
Christopher Finlay Fraser
Liberal
Sought re-election upon appointment as Provincial Secretary and Registrar
Yes
Leeds South
December 1873†
Herbert Stone MacDonald
Conservative
John Godkin Giles
Conservative
Resignation to be appointed to the county court
Yes
Huron South
October 16, 1873
Robert Gibbons
Liberal
Archibald Bishop
Liberal
Resignation to become Sheriff of Huron County
Yes
Brant South
April 28, 1873
Edmund Burke Wood
Conservative
Arthur Sturgis Hardy
Liberal
Resignation to enter federal politics
No
Oxford North
November 29, 1872†
George Perry
Liberal
Oliver Mowat
Liberal
Resignation to provide a seat for Mowat
Yes
Lambton
November 13, 1872†
Timothy Blair Pardee
Liberal
Timothy Blair Pardee
Liberal
Sought re-election upon appointment as Provincial Secretary and Registrar
Yes
Grenville South
October 16, 1872
Christopher Finlay Fraser
Liberal
Christopher Finlay Fraser
Liberal
Void Election
Yes
Middlesex West
September 17, 1872
Alexander Mackenzie
Liberal
John Watterworth
Liberal
Resignation upon abolition of the dual mandate
Yes
Bruce South
September 14, 1872
Edward Blake
Liberal
Rupert Mearse Wells
Liberal
Resignation upon abolition of the dual mandate
Yes
Monck
September 1872
Lachlin McCallum
Conservative
Henry Ryan Haney
Liberal
Resignation upon abolition of the dual mandate
No
London
August 26, 1872
John Carling
Conservative
William Ralph Meredith
Conservative
Resignation upon abolition of the dual mandate
Yes
Lanark North
August 23, 1872
Daniel Galbraith
Liberal
William Clyde Caldwell
Liberal
Resignation to enter federal politics
Yes
Cornwall
July 13, 1872
John Sandfield Macdonald
Conservative
John Goodall Snetsinger
Liberal
Death
No
Grenville South
March 26, 1872
Mcneil Clarke
Conservative
Christopher Finlay Fraser
Liberal
Death
No
Toronto West
January 9, 1872
Adam Crooks
Liberal
Adam Crooks
Liberal
Sought re-election upon appointment as Attorney-General
Yes
Bothwell
January 6, 1872†
Archibald McKellar
Liberal
Archibald McKellar
Liberal
Sought re-election upon appointment as Commissioner of Agriculture and Public Works
Yes
Middlesex West
January 5, 1872†
Alexander Mackenzie
Liberal
Alexander Mackenzie
Liberal
Sought re-election upon appointment as Provincial Secretary and Registrar
Yes
Bruce South
January 5, 1872†
Edward Blake
Liberal
Edward Blake
Liberal
Resignation to re-contest upon being appointed Premier
Yes
Northumberland West
January 5, 1872
Alexander Fraser
Liberal
Charles Gifford
Conservative
Resignation
No
Wellington South
January 4, 1872†
Peter Gow
Liberal
Peter Gow
Liberal
Sought re-election upon appointment as Provincial Secretary and Registrar
Yes
Ottawa
January 4, 1872†
Richard William Scott
Liberal
Richard William Scott
Liberal
Sought re-election upon appointment as Commissioner of Crown Lands
Yes
Stormont
January 3, 1872
William Colquhoun
Conservative
James Bethune
Liberal
Void Election
No
Simcoe North
January 2, 1872
William Davis Ardagh
Conservative
William Davis Ardagh
Conservative
Void Election
Yes
Carleton
January 2, 1872
George William Monk
Conservative
George William Monk
Conservative
Void Election
Yes
Prince Edward
December 29, 1871
Gideon Striker
Liberal
James Simeon McCuaig
Conservative
Void Election
No
James Simeon McCuaig
Conservative
Gideon Striker
Liberal
By-election result reversed August 29, 1872
No
Grey South
December 29, 1871
Abram William Lauder
Conservative
Abram William Lauder
Conservative
Void Election
Yes
Prescott
December 27, 1871†
George Wellesley Hamilton
Conservative
George Wellesley Hamilton
Conservative
Void Election
Yes
Durham West
December 27, 1871†
Edward Blake
Liberal
John McLeod
Liberal
Chose to sit for Bruce South
Yes
† Won by acclamation
1st Legislative Assembly of Ontario 1867–1871
See also
References
Notes
Citations
Further reading
Forman, Debra Legislators and Legislatures of Ontario: A Reference Guide . Legislative Library of Ontario Research and Information Services, 1984
Lewis, Roderick, Centennial Edition of a History of the Electoral Districts, Legislatures and Ministries of the Province of Ontario 1867–1968 . F. Fogg, Queen's Printer, 1969.
Electoral history of Ontario: Candidates and Results. Office of the Chief Election Officer of Ontario, 1983
Most recent Future elections Lists Electoral districts System