Doly Begum, a former New Democratic Party (NDP) MPP who recently defected to the federal Liberal Party, has won the Scarborough Southwest federal byelection, securing a seat in Ottawa. Her victory keeps the riding under Liberal control following the departure of longtime MP Bill Blair, who stepped down to take up a diplomatic role as Canada’s high commissioner to the United Kingdom.
The win also helps Prime Minister Mark Carney secure a narrow majority government. The Liberals now hold 174 seats in parliament—surpassing the 172-seat threshold required for a majority—after a series of recent defections from opposition parties.
Addressing supporters after the result, Begum said: “Tonight, we celebrate something so powerful—a community coming together, putting aside their differences to choose hope, compassion, and progress.”
Begum secured nearly 70% of the vote, although voter turnout remained relatively low, with only about one-third of eligible voters casting ballots. Among the other candidates, Conservative nominee Diana Filipova received just over 18% of the vote, while NDP candidate Fatima Shaban secured around 6%. Green Party candidate Pooja Malhotra received approximately 2.5%.
Several political figures attended Begum’s victory event, including MP Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, MPP Andrea Hazell, and former provincial Liberal candidate Qadira Jackson.
Begum’s transition to federal politics comes just two months after she resigned as a provincial representative for Scarborough Southwest. First elected in 2018 at the age of 29, she was one of the youngest members of the NDP caucus and later served as deputy leader.
Her decision to run as a Liberal candidate in the byelection drew criticism from within the NDP, including from party leadership. A provincial byelection for the now-vacant Scarborough Southwest seat has yet to be announced.
