Liberals Select Doly Begum for Scarborough Southwest After Blair Exit

OTTAWA - The Liberal Party of Canada has selected former New Democratic Party provincial politician Doly Begum as its candidate for the federal riding of Scarborough Southwest, following the resignation of longtime Member of Parliament Bill Blair on Monday.

Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that Blair, a former Toronto police chief who served as public safety minister, will take on the role of Canada's high commissioner to the United Kingdom this spring. Begum, who has represented Scarborough Southwest at the provincial level in Queen's Park for more than seven years, is resigning her seat as a Member of Provincial Parliament to pursue the federal nomination. Elected in 2018 and re-elected in 2022 and 2025, she most recently served as deputy leader of the official opposition and as the NDP's shadow minister for public transit.

In a statement released by the Liberals, Begum described the timing as a "crucial moment" for the country. "I understand the priorities of our community, and at this crucial moment for our country, I believe we must come together to build a stronger, more united, and more prosperous Canada," she said. She expressed her intent to move to Ottawa to...