The Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario successfully retained the ridings of York-Simcoe and Hamilton East-Stoney Creek, while the NDP preserved its seat in Scarborough Southwest during the provincial byelections conducted on Thursday.
As per the unofficial results provided by Elections Ontario, Fatima Shaban of the NDP triumphed in Scarborough Southwest with a lead of 2,240 votes, claiming 40.47 per cent of the total votes cast, with all 57 polling stations reporting. The voter turnout was recorded at 26.5 per cent.
In York-Simcoe, PC candidate Susan Lahey emerged victorious with a margin of 2,549 votes, securing 49.81 per cent of the votes. The voter turnout in this riding was 21 per cent.
Jeff Beattie, also from the PC Party, won in Hamilton East-Stoney Creek by a margin of 1,614 votes, obtaining 38.87 per cent of the vote share, with all 44 polls reporting. Voter turnout in this area was 29.25 per cent.
The Liberal Party did not secure any victories in these provincial elections.
Premier Ford congratulated Lahey and Beattie, stating that voters chose the party willing to confront U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs.
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“Tonight, voters in York-Simcoe and Hamilton East-Stoney Creek have elected two capable local representatives who will safeguard Ontario, advocate for workers and families, and advance our province,” Ford stated in a press release.
Reactions from Candidates and Party Leaders
Shaban expressed gratitude towards her team of volunteers, her family, and various community leaders for their backing.
“We did it!” Shaban exclaimed during the NDP celebration at the Kingston Road branch of the Royal Canadian Legion.
“I often say I can’t envision living anywhere else but Scarborough Southwest because you all are my family. This community is helping me raise my children, and I grew up here. I will fight vigorously to ensure we receive our fair share.”
Fatima Shaban of the NDP became MPP for Scarborough Southwest by a margin of 2,240 votes Thursday night, capturing 40.47 per cent of the votes cast, with all 57 polls reporting. (Chris Langenzarde/CBC)
Shaban noted that her team knocked on numerous doors and emphasized running the campaign on a foundation of “absolute positivity.”
“What occurs here will have enduring consequences,” she added.
A community advocate, Shaban contested against Liberal candidate Ahsanul Hafiz, a businessman owning 30 Domino’s pizza franchises, and PC candidate Noor Tarun in her riding.
Hafiz secured the nomination by defeating former MP Nate Erskine-Smith, who had aimed to run for the party leadership.
In a post on the social media platform X, the Ontario NDP stated that Shaban is “a voice for this community, joining Marit Stiles and the Ontario NDP to make life more affordable and ensure Scarborough receives its fair share. Congratulations, Fatima. Let’s go achieve it.”
In Hamilton, the PCs celebrated their campaign victory at Clifford Brewing, a craft brewery, where Ford joined Beattie on Thursday evening.
Beattie remarked that it is “the honor of a lifetime” to represent constituents at the provincial level.
“As we navigate uncertain times with our largest trading partner to the south, it’s evident that people are experiencing significant anxiety,” Beattie mentioned.
“People are feeling tangible fear. What does the future hold? It has become apparent that Premier Ford is well-suited to be the champion for Ontario, and I aspire to be the champion for Hamilton East-Stoney Creek in that same spirit.”
Byelections Following MPP Resignations
Ford announced the three byelections in early August after three MPPs resigned from their positions.
The Hamilton East-Stoney Creek seat was vacated when Neil Lumsden, a Progressive Conservative MPP and former minister of sport, retired earlier in August.
Beattie, a long-serving city councillor, ran for the open seat in that riding, defeating NDP’s Monique Taylor and Liberal Heino Doessing.
A voting sign on the door of a polling station in Scarborough Southwest is shown here. (Muriel Draaisma/CBC)
The York-Simcoe riding opened up after Caroline Mulroney, a Progressive Conservative MPP and former Treasury Board president, stepped back from politics in June, expressing her desire to start a new chapter in her life.
Lahey, a town councillor from East Gwillimbury, contested against Liberal Naomi Davison and NDP’s Bobby Nikmard in this riding.
Scarborough Southwest became vacant following the resignation of Doly Begum, an NDP MPP, who left to pursue a federal Liberal candidacy in the same riding. She won that seat in a federal byelection in April.
Political Expert Suggests Trade Tensions Favored PCs
Peter Graefe, a political science professor at McMaster University, indicated that the rising trade tensions benefitted Ford in these byelections.
“Naturally, people often look to their leaders to guide them through challenging periods, and I believe this is favoring Doug Ford at this moment, particularly in regions like Hamilton East-Stoney Creek where steel tariffs will have a direct impact,” Graefe stated on Thursday.
“It is more challenging for opposition parties to frame this as a referendum on different issues, such as urban boundary expansion in Hamilton or controversy surrounding matters like private jets and expense accounts.”
Graefe referred to several recent scandals involving Ford and his administration, including the controversial purchase of a private jet for nearly $29 million, which was returned shortly after due to public backlash.
U.S. President Donald Trump criticized Ontario Premier Doug Ford on social media, labeling him a ‘flunky’ of Prime Minister Mark Carney while mentioning his late brother Rob Ford. Ford responded by calling Trump a ‘loser’ and challenging the president, ‘Bring it on, buddy.’
The government has faced criticism for allowing ministers from the Toronto area to stay in hotels at public expense, resulting in the resignation of Tourism Minister Stan Cho, alongside several other legislators who have had to reimburse expenses.
“Thus, it appears to be a favorable day for Doug Ford and his administration,” Graefe observed.
“It’s perhaps not surprising that byelections held during the summer before a long weekend resulted in somewhat unremarkable outcomes.”
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