Scarborough Southwest federal byelection 2026: Liberal candidate Doly Begum answers our questions

QUESTION 1: Please tell our readers a little bit about yourself and why you are running in this byelection?

My name is Doly Begum, and I had the honour of representing Scarborough Southwest as your Member of Provincial Parliament from 2018 until February of this year.

I came to Canada from Bangladesh as a young girl with my parents and younger brother, in search of opportunity and a better future – and that experience has shaped my approach to public service.

During my nearly eight years serving as your MPP, I worked to deliver on the priorities most important to you — building a stronger healthcare system, supporting more reliable public transit, building affordable housing, and delivering programs that make life better for everyone. That work also allowed me the privilege of working closely with local leaders – in schools, daycares, small businesses, clinics, community centres, and places of worship – to hear first-hand about the challenges people from across our community are facing head-on.

After meeting with many of you over the last few months and reflecting on how I can best serve during this pivotal moment for Canada, I made the decision to run to become your next Liberal Member of Parliament for Scarborough Southwest. This is a crucial moment for Canada — and a time for us to come together as Canadians. I have been inspired by Prime Minister Carney’s vision for Canada — one rooted in resilience, inclusion, and responsibility towards our nation — and I know that I can make the greatest difference on the challenges Canada faces today as a member of Mark Carney’s new Liberal team.

I’m running to bring Scarborough Southwest’s voice to Ottawa, to help fight for the things I have always believed in — and to build a stronger, more prosperous future for our community.

QUESTION 2: What do you see as the top local issues that will be on the minds of Scarborough Southwest voters as they head into this byelection taking place less than a year after the previous federal election?

The conversations that I’ve been having across Scarborough Southwest over the past number of weeks have been consistent. People are focused on bringing down the cost of living, working and raising a family in a safe community, and building a better future for our next generation. These are all issues I care about deeply — and challenges that I am ready to take on directly.

I am proud of the work that the Prime Minister and the new Liberal team have done over the past year to address these important issues. In May, the government expanded the Canadian Dental Care Plan to cover people of all ages, ensuring millions of Canadians can now afford to see a dentist — some for the first time in decades. In July, the middle-class tax cut came into effect – putting up to $840 a year back into people’s pockets. That’s 22 million Canadians taking home more of every paycheque — including many right here in Scarborough Southwest.

In September, Build Canada Homes was launched — a major milestone in the government’s plan to double housing construction over the next decade, and create new affordable homes across the country.

And in January of this year, the government introduced the new Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit to bring down costs for more than 12 million Canadians.

This is a strong start, and I know that more work needs to be done. If elected as the next Member of Parliament for Scarborough Southwest, I will make sure we continue delivering tangible results that make a real impact on everyone who lives here. I will be our community’s voice at the decision-making table.

QUESTION 3: What are the key national issues now facing Canadians and how can you and your party have an impact on them?

Canada is facing a hinge moment, and people across our community and around the country are focused on two national imperatives: building a strong, resilient economy and protecting our sovereignty in an increasingly uncertain world.

At the same time, all politics is local – major national issues have big local impacts. When I speak with residents in Scarborough Southwest, these issues feel very personal.

During his speech in Davos earlier this year, the Prime Minister accurately described the current world order as a “rupture” rather than a transition, marking the end of the open-trade era amid increasing uncertainty in the world economy.

In such a time of profound crisis, global instability affects the cost of living here at home – from higher grocery bills to rising gas prices – and families feel those pressures immediately. There is a real desire for stability and serious leadership. People across the country want to know that Canada is strong; that we’re protecting our workers and industries, driving down costs, and building a resilient economy that creates good-paying and stable jobs. Mark Carney is the trusted leader we need. He and the new Liberal government bring the experience and steady approach needed to navigate these challenging times – whether by strengthening our economy through domestic policies, removing trade barriers, or by successfully negotiating international agreements. He is the right person for the job – and many of you have told me you agree.

This byelection is about making sure Scarborough Southwest is part of that bigger picture. If elected, I want to be a part of Team Canada, connecting a national vision to the everyday realities of the people I hope to have the privilege of serving.

QUESTION 4: How can and will you work with the provincial government and Toronto’s city government to make life better for Scarborough Southwest residents?

Throughout my time in Queen’s Park, I always focused on being a bridge-builder – because for local communities, success depends on all orders of government working together.

As the MPP for Scarborough Southwest, I worked with municipal, provincial and federal officials, community representatives, and many other partners to deliver real results. Whether it was advocating for affordable child care and healthcare, supporting transit improvements, pushing for better wages for frontline Personal Support Workers, or fighting for wider recognition of foreign credentials – I have a record of working well with my counterparts. As a member of Ontario’s opposition, I also spent years holding governments accountable when projects and services weren’t being delivered properly.

More recently, I pushed for accountability and answers regarding delays on the Eglinton Crosstown that directly impacted people in my community and across the city. I believe my experience has taught me to both challenge and collaborate effectively, raising my community’s voice at all levels of government in Canada.

At the federal level, my approach will remain the same. Ottawa helps fund key provincial and municipal services, and shapes the future of our country through crucial investments in national and local infrastructure ,social programs, housing, safer communities, and more. However, these policies and investments only matter if they create real change on a local level.

My priority will be to ensure the people of Scarborough Southwest share in the opportunities delivered by our Liberal government. I’ve built strong relationships not only within the community but also across different orders of government through a foundation of mutual respect, and I believe I have an opportunity to directly drive better results for our community members. I’ve always delivered results for our community with one goal in mind: real, meaningful change for the people of Scarborough Southwest. That goal and those values will never change.