Liberal Party candidate Doly Begum celebrates winning the byelection for the riding of Scarborough Southwest, in Toronto, Monday, April 13, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn
Ontario voters in three ridings are getting ready to vote on Sept. 3 in a series of byelections that might feature some close contests.
Premier Doug Ford announced byelections on Wednesday for Scarborough Southwest, York-Simcoe, and Hamilton East-Stoney Creek.
Much of the initial focus is on Scarborough Southwest, where candidates from all three major parties are set and campaigns are already underway. This seat has been vacant since February when Doly Begum left her NDP position to successfully run for the federal Liberals.
NDP Leader Marit Stiles was present earlier on Wednesday and mentioned that there are thousands of signs already up for their candidate.
“Byelections are not won on television,” she said. “Byelections are won on the doorsteps, so we are going to be working very hard to hold Scarborough Southwest with our amazing candidate Fatima Shaban, who’s a relentless fighter for our community.”
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Begum secured the riding for the NDP by substantial margins in the last three provincial elections. Before that time, it had been held by the Liberals for 15 years; however, they finished third there during the 2025 general election.
Interim Liberal Leader John Fraser acknowledged that their party has a tough road ahead in Scarborough Southwest.
“It’s a lot of work for us,” he said last month. “It’s like starting from scratch. Our candidate (Ahsanul) Hafiz has been out there working hard, knocking on doors, and lots of Liberals have been out.”
The riding became a focal point for the Liberals after former MP Nate Erskine-Smith did not secure his party’s nomination for this provincial byelection and made allegations of wrongdoing in the race-claims which were deemed unfounded by the party.
The Progressive Conservatives have selected family doctor Dr. Noor Tarun as their candidate in Scarborough Southwest. The party currently holds four out of five other ridings in Scarborough.
A byelection will also take place in York-Simcoe after Caroline Mulroney resigned from her position as president of the Treasury Board back in June.
The Tories are expected to retain this riding easily; both Mulroney and her predecessor Julia Munro enjoyed significant wins over multiple elections. Susan Lahey, an East Gwillimbury town councillor, will represent the Progressive Conservatives while Naomi Davison-a Georgina councillor-is running as the Liberal candidate alongside education worker Bobby Nikmard representing the NDP.
The resignation of another cabinet member, Minister of Sport Neil Lumsden prompted a byelection in Hamilton East-Stoney Creek.
Typically strongholds for NDP candidates exist within Hamilton; however, recent years have seen gains by Progressive Conservatives. The New Democrats hope Lumsden’s departure creates an opening to regain one of those Hamilton ridings.
They’re counting on Monique Taylor-a familiar face who represented Hamilton Mountain for 14 years-to be their candidate in Hamilton East-Stoney Creek during this byelection.
She did not seek re-election back in 2025 but ran instead at a federal level where she placed third against tougher competition.
Hamilton city Councillor Jeff Beattie is running as the Progressive Conservative candidate while Heino Doessing works in finance and is running for the Liberals.
Ford will also need to fill cabinet positions left open by Mulroney and Lumsden’s resignations along with Stan Cho’s recent exit as minister amid an expense controversy-though he remains part of the Progressive Conservative caucus.
This report by The Canadian Press was first Aug. 5, 2026.
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