OTTAWA – In the wake of a closely contested federal election, a Liberal candidate, Irek Kusmierczyk, has announced that a request for a judicial recount has been approved. The election results in the Windsor–Tecumseh–Lakeshore riding saw Kusmierczyk narrowly lose to Conservative candidate Kathy Borrelli by a mere 77 votes, which has prompted Kusmierczyk's call for a recount.
Kusmierczyk, the incumbent Liberal MP who had secured the seat in the 2019 and 2021 elections, took to social media to express his concerns regarding the accuracy of the vote count. He contends that several ballots may have been "wrongly rejected," leading to the slim margin of defeat. Echoing his commitment to transparency, Kusmierczyk stated that the Ontario Superior Court of Justice granted the recount in an effort to restore confidence in the electoral process within the community.
In the official tally provided by Elections Canada, Borrelli garnered 32,062 votes, which equates to 45.8 percent of the total votes cast. In contrast, Kusmierczyk received 31,985 votes, representing 45.7 percent. This razor-thin margin—merely seven votes away from the required threshold for an automatic recount—has fueled Kusmierczyk’s insistence on ensuring that all legitimate votes are counted accurately.
As part of the electoral process, Kusmierczyk assured his supporters that he would "absolutely and unequivocally" accept the results of the recount, underscoring his respect for democratic principles. This statement reflects his intention to work constructively with all stakeholders involved, regardless of the outcome.
Elections Canada announced that the judicial recount is set to begin on May 20, 2025. This recount is particularly significant as it represents a critical step in upholding the integrity of the electoral process, especially in a riding where the results are tightly contested. The agency has also noted that judicial recounts will be conducted in other districts, including Milton East–Halton Hills South, Terra Nova–The Peninsulas, and Terrebonne, further indicating the heightened scrutiny surrounding this election cycle.
This turn of events, coming in the wake of an election held on May 9, 2025, emphasizes the attention to detail and the importance of accuracy in the democratic process. As candidates and their supporters await the proceedings, the situation serves as a reminder of the complexities and challenges involved in electoral politics.
As the judicial recount approaches, the political landscape remains dynamic, with various implications for the involved parties and the constituents they serve. The actions taken in the following weeks will reflect the ongoing commitment to fair representation and electoral integrity, which are cornerstones of Canada’s democratic framework.
