Federal Election 2025: Liberal Bill Blair re-elected as Member of Parliament for Scarborough Southwest

By MATTHEW STEPHENS

With 61.4 per cent of the overall vote (33,395 votes), Liberal Bill Blair has been re-elected to a fourth term as Member of Parliament for the Scarborough Southwest riding.

“I just wanted to say thank you very much. This is an outstanding outcome. I look forward to continuing to serve this community, I look forward to continuing to serve all of you, but I will always be grateful for all your help in making this happen,” said Blair in his victory speech to supporters at the Olde Stone Cottage Pub on Kingston Road on the night of Monday, April 28.

“I’m very grateful for the people of Scarborough Southwest who’ve given me their confidence yet again for a fourth time to serve this community as a Member of Parliament,” said Blair in an interview with Beach Metro Community News.

Coming in second place in the Scarborough Southwest race with 16,682 votes (30.7 per cent) was Asm Tarun of the Conservative Party.  Fatima Shaban of the New Democratic Party (NDP) came third with 2,710 votes (5.0 per cent); followed by Amanda Cain of the Green Party with 753 votes (1.4 per cent); Michael Poulin of the People’s Party of Canada with 565 votes (1 per cent);  Imran Khan of the Centrist Party of Canada with 165 votes (0.3 per cent); and Christine Nugent of the Marxist-Leninist Party of Canada with 113 votes (0.2 per cent).

Blair addressed his victory with admiration for his competitors in the riding – even those who didn’t attend community engagement meetings leading up to the election.

“I’m always grateful for people who put their names forward on a ballot right across the country. I’ve had very little involvement with my competitors, like one of them didn’t come to anything, and that’s fine – everyone makes those choices. But if you want to serve, you have to show up,” he said.

In the 2021 federal election, Blair towered over his competitors with 24,823 total votes (57 per cent of the overall vote).

Born and raised in Scarborough, Blair served the city for decades as a police officer, including as Toronto’s Chief of Police.

On April 25, 2015, Blair’s contract with Toronto Police Service ended and he retired from his career in law enforcement. On that same day, he confirmed his intention to seek the Liberal Party nomination in the Scarborough Southwest riding and later won the Liberal nomination on June 13, 2015. Since 2023, Blair has served as Canada’s Minister of National Defence

For Blair, working in law enforcement has helped to guide him through Canada’s political landscape.

“I spent my life in service to my city, and I spent most of my life just trying to keep the people of Toronto safe. And then, after I finished my policing career, I went to Ottawa to serve this community, and I’ve been given many opportunities to protect my country and keep its people safe; it’s my life’s work,” said Blair.

Blair said the Liberal party will stand up for Canadians and address the housing and affordability crisis, as well as threats of annexation from U.S. President Donald Trump.

“I think there are many issues and challenges facing Canada, but Canadians I think have given us their confidence to continue to serve them. We certainly have much more to do to stand up to Mr. Trump, but we also have to address the housing challenges that people are facing, issues around affordability,” said Blair.

“I think there’s a real opportunity not just to fight and defend our country, but to build a better future for everyone.”