Not all by-elections have to have lower voter turnout

Tonight there was a by-election in Newfoundland and Labrador in the riding of Carbonear-Habour Grace and the voter turn out was only marginally lower than in the 2011 general election.

Election total vote turnout
2013 By    5,492     59.67% (based on 2011 electors)
2011 GE    5,234     56.71%

What is interesting is that Newfoundland and Labrador is that their more recent by-election in Cartwright-L'Anse Au Clair on June 25 of this year had the same number of votes as were cast in the 2011 general election.

Federally the riding that holds the top three spots i the last 25 years for turnout in a by-election when compared to the previous general election is Labrador in 1996, 2005 and 2013.   The 11th highest by this measure is St John's West in 2000.   Humber-St Barbe-Baie Verte in 1996 is 17th on the list 64 by-elections.   Gander-Grand Falls in 2002 is 19th.   Only one by-election, Bonavista-Trinity-Conception Bay in 2002 is not in the top 32 results coming in at 39th.

Is there a trend in this province to higher by-election voting?   I need to look into it more.