(Ottawa) “Justin Trudeau cannot continue like this. He must call a carbon tax election now.” In the wake of the surprise victory of the Conservative candidate in the by-election in a Liberal stronghold, Pierre Poilievre urges the Prime Minister to summon citizens to the polls.

Liberals – and pollsters, and observers – expected a narrow victory.

The Conservatives doubted they would be able to achieve the feat.

After a long count, in the early hours of Tuesday morning, the result was in – like the Liberal stronghold of Toronto–St. Paul’s, which collapsed after being red for three decades.

Conservative Don Stewart thus won over Leslie Church by 590 votes (42.1% to 40.5% of votes cast), after trailing for several hours.

The Prime Minister must react to this thaw on the sidelines of an announcement in British Columbia. According to our information, he will not announce his resignation.

One thing is certain, a serious examination of conscience is required, believes Jeremy Ghio, a former strategist with the federal and Quebec Liberals.

“This county has gone through the liberal crises of the last 30 years. The sponsorship scandal, Jack Layton’s orange wave, Stephen Harper’s majority government,” he emphasizes.

So what this poor performance sends as a message is that “the results could be even more catastrophic than in 2011 [in the next general elections]”, he says.

The first thing Justin Trudeau must do is reassure the Liberal troops, believes Jeremy Ghio, who is now director at Tact Conseil.

“He should speak to his caucus today [Tuesday], he says. Morale must be low, and conversely, panic must be high. »

Because losing in one of the constituencies considered to be the safest raises fears for all the others, he points out.

The counting of ballots was laborious in Toronto–St. Paul’s, because there were 84 candidates.

The majority of them were part of a group that challenges the distortions resulting from the current first-past-the-post voting system.

Another test awaits the Liberal Party in the coming months, when a by-election will be held in the riding of LaSalle–Émard–Verdun.

This has been vacant since the resignation of former Minister of Justice David Lametti last February.

The Liberal nomination has not yet taken place and a few contenders are in the running.

Among the New Democrats, independent municipal councilor Craig Sauvé was selected as the color bearer.

He is also due to take a crowd bath in Wellington Street alongside Chief Jagmeet Singh and Deputy Chief Alexandre Boulerice this Tuesday.

For the Liberals, the task could be easier here than in Toronto–St. Paul’s, projects survey specialist Philippe J. Fournier, from the site 338Canada.

“The vote is divided. The NDP and Bloc should easily have 20% each, so the Liberals can win with 36% of the vote, for example,” he says.

The date of the by-election in LaSalle–Émard–Verdun must be announced by July 30.

The vote must take place on a Monday, between 36 and 50 days after the by-election is called, according to Elections Canada rules.