Scarborough Southwest federal byelection 2026: NDP candidate Fatima Shaban answers our questions

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

I came to Canada at 14 with my mother, and Scarborough Southwest is where I built my life. After losing her, this community became my support system, and it is where I am now raising my children.

Like many people here, I have had to navigate systems that do not always work the way they should. My immigration journey was complex and uncertain, and it took years before I was able to build stability.

I have also experienced firsthand the challenges in healthcare, housing, and education, including long wait times, rising costs, and under resourced schools.

Through these experiences, I have seen how easily people can fall through the cracks, but I have also seen the strength and resilience of this community.

I am running in this byelection because I believe Scarborough Southwest deserves strong, present representation, someone who understands these realities firsthand and will advocate for real, practical change.

This community has given so much to me, and I want to give back by making sure its voices are heard and its needs are not overlooked.

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?

I think the top issues on the minds of voters in Scarborough Southwest are housing, affordability, and access to healthcare.

Housing continues to be one of the biggest concerns. While there have been promises to increase supply, many people in this community are still struggling to find housing they can actually afford.

It is not just about building more units, it is about making sure those homes are truly affordable for working families, renters, and young people trying to stay in their communities.

Affordability more broadly is also a major issue. The rising cost of groceries, rent, and everyday essentials is putting real pressure on families.

People are working hard but still finding it difficult to keep up, and that is something I hear consistently from residents.
Healthcare is another key concern, and one that is very personal to me.

My mother had aggressive cancer, and she passed away after facing long wait times for care. That experience showed me how serious the gaps in our system can be. We need stronger federal investment in healthcare and better coordination to make sure people can access timely care when they need it.

Overall, people are looking for practical solutions and consistent follow through. They want to see real improvements in their daily lives, not just promises, and they want to feel that their concerns are being heard and acted on.

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

I think the key national issues facing Canadians right now are the rising cost of living, the housing crisis, and the strain on our healthcare system.

Across the country, people are feeling squeezed. Even those who are working full time are struggling to keep up with the cost of groceries, rent, and basic necessities. This is creating a growing sense of instability for many families.

The housing crisis is also being felt nationwide. While there has been a focus on increasing supply, we need to make sure we are building housing that is truly affordable, not just increasing the number of units. At the same time, our healthcare system is under real pressure, with long wait times and staffing shortages affecting access to care across provinces.

I believe my party can make a difference by pushing for stronger federal leadership in these areas, including investing in affordable housing, protecting and strengthening public healthcare, and addressing the cost of living in a way that supports working people. These are not isolated issues, they are connected, and addressing them requires a coordinated and people focused approach.

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?

Making life better for residents in Scarborough Southwest requires strong collaboration between all levels of government.

Many of the issues people are facing, like housing, healthcare, transit, and community safety, do not fall under just one level of government, so we need to work together to deliver real results.

As a federal representative, I would focus on building strong working relationships with provincial and city leaders, regardless of political differences, and advocating for the needs of this community in those conversations. That includes working with the province to strengthen healthcare and reduce wait times, and partnering with the city to support affordable housing, improve transit access, and invest in safer, more connected communities.

It is also important that federal funding is tied to clear outcomes, so that investments in housing, transit, and community programs actually benefit residents in a meaningful way. For me, this is about putting people first and making sure governments are not working in silos. Residents do not experience these issues separately, and our approach should reflect that.

My priority would be to ensure that Scarborough Southwest is not overlooked, and that all levels of government are working together to improve people’s everyday lives.