Liberals tap Ontario NDP MPP Doly Begum as candidate in Scarborough Southwest

The federal Liberal Party has announced Ontario New Democratic Party MPP Doly Begum will run as its candidate in Scarborough Southwest, following the resignation of longtime Liberal MP Bill Blair.

Prime Minister Mark Carney confirmed earlier this week that Blair, who has represented the Scarborough riding at the federal level for nearly a decade, will take on the role of Canada’s high commissioner to the United Kingdom later this spring. Blair previously served as Toronto’s police chief before entering federal politics in 2015.

Begum has represented Scarborough Southwest at Queen’s Park since 2018 and most recently served as deputy leader of Ontario’s Official Opposition. In a statement released by the Liberal Party, Begum said she sees the move to federal politics as coming at a critical time, citing economic uncertainty and rising affordability pressures facing families in the Greater Toronto Area.

The decision marks a high-profile cross-party shift as the Liberals look to hold the Scarborough seat, which has historically leaned Liberal in federal elections. Scarborough has also been a key battleground in recent provincial and municipal contests, reflecting the area’s diverse and growing population.

The Liberals also announced over the weekend that family physician Danielle Martin will carry the party’s banner in University–Rosedale, following the resignation of former finance minister Chrystia Freeland earlier this month. Prime Minister Carney has not yet announced dates for byelections in either riding.