The Conservatives and NDP managed to keep their seats in three federal byelections, with NDP candidate Fatima Shaban taking the win in Scarborough Southwest. Siobhan Morris has more
Things remain pretty much the same at Queen’s Park after Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s Progressive Conservatives and the Opposition New Democrats retained their seats in three byelections held on Thursday.
Progressive Conservative Jeff Beattie, a veteran Hamilton city councillor, won the Hamilton East-Stoney Creek riding by securing almost 39 percent of the vote compared to NDP candidate Monique Taylor’s 33 percent. Taylor had represented a nearby riding for 14 years before resigning to pursue a federal seat unsuccessfully.
Liberal Heino Doessing came in third with 23 percent of the votes.
Conservative Susan Lahey claimed victory in York-Simcoe with 49.8 percent of the vote against Liberal Naomi Davison’s 38.8 percent. Lahey succeeds former Treasury Board president Caroline Mulroney, who stepped down in June.
This riding has been held by conservatives since it was created back in 2007.
Ford congratulated both Beattie and Lahey, stating that voters have chosen a party that will stand up against U. S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs.
“I just want the people of Ontario and all of Canada to know that we’re going to continue to fight,” Ford said during Beattie’s campaign celebration in Hamilton.
“We’re going to fight against Donald Trump. We’re going to make sure that we protect people’s jobs, protect their communities and protect them,” he added.
Beattie expressed it’s “the honour of a lifetime” to represent constituents at this provincial level.
“I think primarily, as we continue to enter into uncertain times with our largest trading partner to the south, it became more and more apparent people are feeling incredible anxiety,” Beattie stated. “They’re feeling some real fear. What does the future hold? And it became very, very apparent that somebody like Premier Ford is really best suited as the champion of Ontario, and I want to be the champion of Hamilton East-Stoney Creek in that same way.”
In what turned out to be a two-way contest between Liberals and New Democrats in Scarborough Southwest, NDP’s Fatima Shaban emerged victorious with over 40 percent of the vote.
At her victory speech, Shaban assured voters she would “fight like hell” for more affordable living conditions.
“Today they spoke loud and clear that affordability is a must,” she remarked. “It is not an afterthought.”
NDP Leader Marit Stiles also celebrated what she saw as a win for her party.
“It is more clear than ever before in these three byelections, these historic three byelections, that there is only one party that is going to defeat Doug Ford and the conservatives, and it is the New Democratic Party,” she stated at Shaban’s celebration party.
Fatima Shaban Fatima Shaban is flanked by Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles and other MPPs as she speaks to reporters following her byelection win in Scarborough Southwest.
Candidates reported long-standing issues such as health care, education, and affordability were frequently discussed while canvassing doors. But voters are also worried about Canada’s trade tensions with the United States.
The rising trade disputes seemed beneficial for Ford during these byelections according to Peter Graefe, a political science professor at Mc Master University.Related Stories
“Somewhat naturally, people tend to look for their leader when tough times hit , and I think it’s helping Doug Ford once again at this moment-especially somewhere like Hamilton East-Stoney Creek where steel tariffs will have direct effects,” Graefe mentioned on Thursday.
“It becomes harder for opposition parties when they try making this about other topics like urban boundary expansion or even controversies surrounding jet planes or expense accounts.” Graefe was referring specifically to several scandals surrounding Ford and his administration lately-such as his decision last year about buying a private jet worth nearly $29 million only then returning it days later amid public outrage. The government faced criticism recently too regarding allowing Toronto-area ministers staying overnight using taxpayers’ money which resulted eventually leading Tourism Minister Stan Cho stepping down while multiple legislators needed reimbursing funds spent on those expenses. “So ultimately , today seems good overall for Doug Ford , and his government ,” Graefe concluded.“Not unexpectedly so given how elections occurred during summer ahead long weekend -they turned out pretty uneventful.”
According unofficial results from Elections Ontario , voter turnout across all three contests reached slightly over twenty-five percent.
This report by The Canadian Press was first Sept.3 ,2026.
Liam Casey , The Canadian Press
