Who is running in Scarborough Southwest, University—Rosedale byelections?
· Toronto Sun
With a potential – and many would say likely – Liberal majority hanging in the balance, there is plenty of intrigue surrounding Monday’s federal byelections in Scarborough Southwest and University—Rosedale.
The ridings, considered safe Liberals seats, are up for grabs after two high-profile former cabinet ministers gave up their spots in the House of Commons earlier this year to take on new roles overseas.
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Former deputy prime minister and finance minister Chrystia Freeland called it quits in University—Rosedale on Jan. 9 after accepting an advisory role in Ukraine, where she will help guide President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on economic development issues.
She is also set to become head of the Rhodes Trust in Oxford, England, this summer after representing her riding since 2015 as well as Toronto Centre for two years before that as a Liberal.
Liberals need to win 1 seat for majority government
Meanwhile, Scarborough Southwest will elect a new MP for the first time since 2015, when former Toronto Police chief and national defence minister Bill Blair began his 11-year run representing the riding before stepping down less than a month after Freeland to become Canada’s new high commissioner to the U.K.
If the Liberals win one of those seats – or Terrebonne in Quebec, which is also being contested Monday – they will seize majority control in the House of Commons. Win all three and passing bills will become even easier without the need for Speaker Francis Scarpaleggia to break ties.
The push for a majority follows four Conservative candidates crossing the floor to the Liberals, as well as former NDP MP Lori Idlout . Ontario Tory MP Marilyn Gladu was the latest to defect to the Grits last week, giving them 171 seats in the House of Commons
Here is a look at the major party candidates in each Toronto riding:
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University—Rosedale
Don Hodgson, Conservatives: Hodgson has described himself on social media as a business owner in the mortgage industry and an affordability advocate who wants to decrease the “cost of living and increase job opportunities to our economy.”
Andrew Massey, Greens: The University of Toronto grad is a former teacher and “experienced writer and editor” who currently does technical work on public infrastructure projects in the rail transportation industry, according to the Green party. The longtime renter said he is focused on “affordability, accountability and dignity for all.”
Danielle Martin, Liberals: The physician has spent two decades in family practice , served as executive vice-president at Women’s College Hospital and led the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Toronto, her Liberal party biography says. Her bio also says she has a masters in public policy and has “extensive experience” advising governments on health-care initiatives.
Serena Purdy, NDP: Purdy is also a health care-focused academic at the University of Toronto and the former chair of the Friends of Kensington Market, her NDP biography says, through which the affordable housing advocate fought against the proliferation of Airbnb and for “strong” short-term rental bylaws in the city.
Andy D’Andrea, PPC: Another University of Toronto grad, D’Andrea is an engineer who has worked in nuclear waste management and reactor safety and was a senior technical engineer at the Pickering Nuclear Station, according to his PPC biography. He has also been an executive vice-president of member services for the Society of United Professionals and “advocates for transparency and responsible leadership in Canadian politics.”
Other confirmed candidates in the riding include Samuel Baxter (Canadian Future), Leslie Bory (unaffiliated), Raiden DeDominicis (Independent), Imran Khan (Centrist Party) and Bill Whatcott (Independent).
Scarborough Southwest
Diana Filipova, Conservatives: The middle school teacher is a first-generation immigrant who says she worked low-paying, part-time jobs as a single mom before getting her teaching degree, allowing her to “relate to the struggles, the dreams and the hopes of many Canadians.” She says she will advocate for lower taxes, the arts, veterans, retirees and reining in “uncontrolled immigration” to help reduce the strain on the health-care system.
Pooja Malhotra, Greens: Malhotra is a community organizer and medical copywriter who has earned degrees in fashion design and costume design for performance in India and the U.K., according to her Green party biography. Despite not serving in the House of Commons, she says she has served as the party’s critic for immigration and refugee issues and believes that “social, environmental and human justice are deeply interconnected.”
Doly Begum, Liberals: The MPP for the riding since 2018 , Begum has jumped from the provincial New Democrats to the federal Liberals. A former deputy NDP leader, Begum, who has a masters degree in development, administration and planning from University College London, says she is focused on affordable housing, better public transit and safer neighbourhoods.
Fatima Shaban, NDP: Shaban has a criminology and socio-legal studies degree from the University of Toronto, where she says she also minored in political science and history. Shaban, who works in the development and estates department at The Salvation Army and is a member of ACORN, says he “strongly” believes that “affordable housing, quality health care and education are fundamental rights.”
Peter Koubakis, PPC: The body builder and fitness enthusiast studied politics and governance at Toronto Metropolitan University, currently works in the trades and says he has been “active” as an independent journalist, according to his PPC biography. He says he supports lower taxes, smaller government and the protection of lawful firearms ownership.
Other confirmed candidates in the riding include April Francisco (Independent), Lyall Sanders (Centrist) and David Vedova (Christian Heritage).