Doug Ford Calls Three Ontario Byelections for September 3

Ontario Premier Doug Ford called three provincial byelections for September 3 to fill vacancies in the ridings of Scarborough Southwest, York-Simcoe, and Hamilton East-Stoney Creek. The vacancies resulted from the resignation of NDP member Doly Begum in February to join the federal Liberals, and the June resignations of Progressive Conservative ministers Caroline Mulroney and Neil Lumsden.

The contests serve as the first electoral test for Ford's third-term government following several controversies. These include the purchase and sale of a $28.9-million Bombardier Challenger plane, a stalled expansion plan for Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, and an expenses scandal that forced the resignation of tourism, culture and gaming minister Stan Cho. Ford must now fill the cabinet positions previously held by Mulroney, Lumsden, and Cho.

Competition is expected to be most intense in Scarborough Southwest, where the Progressive Conservatives, New Democrats, Liberals, and Greens are all fielding candidates. NDP leader Marit Stiles emphasized a ground-game strategy to hold the seat with candidate Fatima Shaban, while the Progressive Conservatives and NDP are also competing closely in the Hamilton area. York-Simcoe is generally considered a safe seat for the Progressive Conservatives.