Scarborough Southwest federal byelection 2026: Candidates’ debate slated for tonight at Birchcliff Bluffs United Church
By MATTHEW STEPHENS
In advance of the upcoming federal byelection in Scarborough Southwest, Daily Bread Food Bank is teaming up with community partner Bluffs Food Bank to host a candidates’ debate tonight.
The debate will take place on Thursday, April 2, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Birchcliff Bluffs United Church, 33 East Rd.
“The election comes at a critical juncture, as Canadians grapple with soaring living costs, unaffordable housing, inadequate income supports and precarious work,” said a news release from the organizers.
Tonight’s debate will be moderated by Reza Khoshdel, Executive Director of Centre 55 in East Toronto.
The federal byelection comes following a slew of political moves ignited by Scarborough Southwest MP Bill Blair, who announced his resignation from the position on Feb. 2 after being appointed as Canada’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom.
The riding’s current MPP Doly Begum gave up her seat at Queen’s Park and her position as Deputy Leader of the Ontario NDP Party to run in the Scarborough Southwest federal byelection as a member of the Liberal Party.
Other candidates in the April 13 byelection are Diana Filipova of the Conservative Party; April Francisco, Independent; Peter Koubakis, People’s Party of Canada; Pooja Malhotra from the Green Party; Lyall Sanders for the Centrist Party; Fatima Shaban from the New Democratic Party; and David Vedova of the Christian Heritage Party.
During tonight’s debate, community members will have an opportunity to hear from the candidates and learn more about their vision for Scarborough Southwest in advance of the April 13 byelection.
Voters in the Scarborough Southwest byelection are also reminded that advance polls will be open April 3, 4, 5 and 6 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. For information on how to vote in this byelection please visit https://www.elections.ca/content.aspx?section=ele&dir=2026/35096&document=index&lang=e
For more information about tonight’s debate, please go to https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/candidates-debate-scarborough-southwest-riding-tickets-1985158765306
EDITOR’S NOTE: Beach Metro Community News reached out to all eight candidates registered to run in the Scarborough Southwest federal byelection. Below are the links to the answers from the candidates who responded to our questions by our deadline. We provide this information as a service to our readers in southwest Scarborough so they can learn more about the candidates who responded. We urge you to vote either on Election Day of April 13 or in the advance polls this weekend (April 3, 4, 5 and 6). Once again, the eight candidates running are Doly Begum – Liberal Party; Diana Filipova – Conservative Party; April Francisco – Independent; Peter Koubakis – People’s Party of Canada; Pooja Malhotra – Green Party; Lyall Sanders – Centrist Party; Fatima Shaban – New Democratic Party; and David Vedova – Christian Heritage Party.
