Tanveer Shahnawaz wins nomination for federal Liberals in Beaches-East York
By MATTHEW STEPHENS
Tanveer Shahnawaz has won the nomination to become the Liberal candidate in the upcoming federal byelection in the Beaches-East York riding.
“I’m honoured that you’ve selected me as our next Liberal candidate in Beaches-East York,” said Shahnawaz during his victory speech today in the gymnasium of Gledhill Junior Public School on Gledhill Avenue, where dozens of residents and prominent political figures such as Liberal MP Doly Begum of Scarborough Southwest and Gary Anandasangaree of Scarborough—Guildwood—Rouge Park, were in attendance.
“I also want to thank Prime Minister Mark Carney for believing in our riding’s democratic process, and for holding his first open nomination here in Beaches-East York,” said Shahnawaz.
In a vote of 873 counted ballots, Shahnawaz secured the nomination over competitors Summer Nudel, Arthur Potts, and Claire Seaborn. The results of the ranked-ballot vote were announced shortly after 5 p.m. after six hours of voting by Liberal riding association members on Saturday, July 18.
Among several issues discussed during their opening speeches, Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s planned expansion of Billy Bishop Airport on the Toronto waterfront resonated with each contestant seeking the nomination – all of whom vowed to oppose the expansion.
Before securing the nomination, Shahnawaz served the Beaches-East York community as a key staffer with the office of former Liberal MP Nathaniel Erskine-Smith. Shahnawaz had the endorsement of Erskine-Smith in the nomination race.
Shahnawaz, who grew up in the riding’s Crescent Town neighbourhood northwest of Victoria Park and Danforth avenues, has also served in roles as MP constituency office manager and co-chair of the Taylor-Massey & Oakridge Community Response Team.
“I’ve learned from the best, and I’ve got big shoes to fill with Nate leaving those behind, but I’m also very galvanized with my deep connections to speak up,” Shahnawaz told Beach Metro Community News in an interview after the nomination race.
With residents facing a variety of weather conditions to visit the school and cast their votes, Shahnawaz attributed much of his victory to his long dedication and connection to the Beaches-East York community.
“We’ve had folks brave the rainstorm. Pretty sure I heard some thunder and lightning, and I think that’s a testament that Beaches-East York was the first riding that Carney and folks decided to make an open nomination, and I think we being here are reflective of that,” said Shahnawaz. “I’m super energized to carry on with strong local representation.”
At the federal level, he said that amplifying residents’ opposition to the imposed island airport expansion will be a priority.
“We’ve got Ford’s airport expansion plan that I’m very against, and I think that if I can have a say with the 416 (Toronto) caucus, with Ontario caucus, with the national caucus, and making sure that I already know how to make our voice heard, and amplifying those concerns,” said Shahnawaz.
A date for the federal byelection in Beaches-East York has not yet been announced.
