In a surprising twist ahead of the April 28 federal election, none of the three major political parties—the Liberals, Conservatives, and NDP—are fielding a full roster of candidates. This revelation comes straight from Elections Canada, which released a list of over 1,900 hopefuls, noting that paperwork blunders played a key role in some absences.

The nomination deadline for all 343 ridings closed recently, and while the major parties each managed to nominate 342 candidates, they still fell short in crucial areas.

Liberal Party Faces Controversial Candidate Shift

The Liberal Party, for instance, will not have a candidate in the Alberta riding of Ponoka-Didsbury. Former candidate Zarnab Zafar is now running as an independent, leaving a significant gap in a riding known for its Conservative dominance. Party spokesperson Jenna Ghassabeh explained the oversight was due to a 'clerical error' but insisted that the Liberals still support Zafar’s campaign.

Conservatives Hit a Snag in Quebec City

Over in Quebec City’s riding of Québec Centre, the Conservatives also face a hiccup. They lack a registered candidate after Elections Canada rejected Chanie Thériault’s nomination due to unspecified paperwork issues. With the nomination window now closed, there’s no opportunity to replace her.

NDP's Unexpected Exit Leaves Vacant Spot

The NDP is also contending with a candidate dropout in Nova Scotia’s South Shore-St. Margarets. Original nominee Brendan Mosher had to step back for personal reasons, leaving Hayden Henderson, an independent, to run without official party endorsement due to Elections Canada’s strict rules.

Which Parties Are Still Strong?

Despite these setbacks, the Bloc Québécois will have a candidate in all 78 of Quebec’s ridings, while the People’s Party of Canada and the Greens are announcing significant numbers with 247 and 232 candidates, respectively. However, the Greens fell short of the 90% threshold needed for debate participation, although they will still be included.

Controversies and Last-Minute Changes Galore

The complexities don’t stop there; the Liberals and Conservatives have both had to adjust their slates amid rising controversies. Liberal Paul Chiang resigned after making inflammatory comments, while Peter Yuen has stepped in to take his place.

Controversies have claimed Conservative candidates as well, including a recent situation where Mark McKenzie was dropped for problematic podcast comments. This busy nomination period is undoubtedly shaking up the political landscape as parties scramble to maintain credibility and voter support.

What's Next?

With these revelations shaking public confidence, all eyes will be on how each party adapts as the election approaches. Will they manage to fill these gaps, or are they paving the way for unexpected outcomes come polling day?