Canada's federal political landscape is heading toward another electoral test after Prime Minister Mark Carney announced three federal by-elections for August 31.

The votes will take place in Beaches–East York in Ontario, Chicoutimi–Le Fjord in Quebec and North Vancouver–Capilano in British Columbia. Elections Canada confirmed that the contests will fill vacancies in the House of Commons.

The three ridings became vacant following changes involving their former MPs. In Beaches–East York, Nate Erskine-Smith resigned his seat. In Chicoutimi–Le Fjord, Conservative MP Richard Martel left Parliament after being appointed to the Senate. North Vancouver–Capilano became vacant after former Liberal MP Jonathan Wilkinson was appointed Canada's ambassador to the European Union.

The by-elections could carry national political significance beyond the individual ridings. The Liberals currently need to win at least one of the three contests to maintain majority control in the House of Commons, according to reporting based on the current seat distribution.

For the opposition parties, the elections offer an opportunity to challenge the Liberal government's position only months after the federal election. The three ridings also provide a geographically diverse test, covering Ontario, Quebec and British Columbia.

Advance voting is scheduled for August 21 to 24, giving eligible voters an opportunity to cast ballots before election day.

The contests are likely to attract significant attention from Canada's major political parties as they compete for local support and look for signs of changing voter sentiment.

For the Carney government, the results could determine whether it retains its majority position in Parliament and provide an early indication of how voters are responding to the government's direction.