Magic Number Test

To date, the only approach taken by Canadian courts in assessing contested election applications has been the “magic number” test referred to in [O'Brien v. Hamel (1990), 70 D.L.R. (4th) 466 (Ont. Div. Ct.)] (p. 93). On this test, the election must be annulled if the rejected votes are equal to or outnumber the winner's plurality ([Blanchard v. Cole (1950), [1950] 4 D.L.R. 316 (N.S. T.D.)], at p. 320).

Wrzesnewskyj v. Canada (Attorney General) |
2012 CarswellOnt 12998 (S.C.C.) at para. 71 |
Rothstein, Moldaver JJ. (Deschamps, Abella JJ. concurring)