Liberals announce NDP MPP Doly Begum will be candidate for Blair’s federal Scarborough riding

NDP MPP Doly Begum attends Question Period at Queen's Park in Toronto on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Cole Burston

OTTAWA — The Liberals have named New Democratic provincial politician Doly Begum as their candidate for Scarborough Southwest following the resignation on Monday of longtime MP Bill Blair.

Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced Blair will become Canada’s high commissioner to the United Kingdom this spring.

Begum has represented Scarborough for the provincial New Democratic Party in Queen’s Park for more than seven years, and was serving as deputy leader of the opposition.

She says it’s a “crucial moment” for the country, and that she wants to come to Ottawa to work with the prime minister to bolster the Canadian economy and tackle affordability issues.

The Liberals announced on the weekend that family physician Danielle Martin will be their candidate for the riding of University-Rosedale, following Chrystia Freeland’s resignation earlier this month.

Carney has not yet called byelections for either riding.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 3, 2026.