Provincial Byelection 2026: Scarborough Southwest Progressive Conservative candidate Noor Tarun answers our questions

(EDITOR’S NOTE: Beach Metro Community News sent these questions to the seven candidates in this month’s Scarborough Southwest provincial byelection. We gave them a deadline to respond and are publishing the answers from the five candidates who sent them in by the deadline The seven candidates running in the Sept. 3 provincial byelection in Scarborough Southwest are Mark Bekkering of the Green Party; Gord Elliott of the Ontario Party; Ahsanul Hafiz of the Liberal Party; Independent candidate Michael Perdelwitz; Chris Rees of the New Blue Party; Fatima Shaban of the New Democratic Party; and Noor Tarun of the Progressive Conservative Party. Please visit our website at www.beachmetro.com for more information on the candidates.)

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

Scarborough has been my home for more than 20 years.

I’m a family doctor, small business owner and community leader, and throughout my career one of the most important things I’ve learned is to listen to people, understand what they are going through and use every tool at your disposal to help.

I look forward to bringing my experience to Queen’s Park, where I will support our community by connecting more people in Scarborough Southwest to a family doctor, improving our hospitals, building better transit and making life more affordable.

QUESTION 2: What do you see as the top local issues that will be on the minds of Scarborough Southwest voters into this provincial byelection?

As a family doctor, I understand the importance of a strong healthcare system. That’s why our PC Team launched the $3.4 billion Primary Care Action Plan to connect everyone in the province to a family doctor or primary care provider.

As part of this plan, we have made significant investments to expand access to care right here in Scarborough Southwest, including a new emergency department at the Scarborough Health Networks Centenary Hospital, a new diagnostic Imaging Department at the General hospital and $15 million to connect 38,000 more people across Scarborough to primary care.

At the same time, we are investing in the critical infrastructure and transportation systems that keep our community moving. With shovels in the ground on the Scarborough Subway Extension, expanding GO service and helping people save money on the TTC and GO Transit through One Fare, we are fighting gridlock and connecting workers to new opportunities across our community.

As your MPP, I’ll fight every day to bring prices down while making sure people across Scarborough Southwest are able to keep these projects moving forward while protecting the quality of life that makes our community so special.

QUESTION 3: With this byelection taking place just a few days before school starts up again, what measures will you and your party take to address concerns regarding public education funding not only across the province but also for the specific and unique needs of schools and students in Toronto?

Both of my children have been through the education system, which is why I understand how important strong local schools are to families in Scarborough Southwest.

That is why in 2026-27 our PC Team is providing historic levels of education funding, with an investment of $30.6 billion, including $6 billion for Scarborough-area schools, while investing in the infrastructure necessary to add 18,300 new student spaces and 1,130 licensed child care spaces in communities across the province.

This is on top of the nearly $3.9 billion for special education funding and adding 3,500 more educational assistants positions at school boards across Ontario.

As MPP, I will fight to build on this momentum, ensuring schools across Scarborough Southwest can continue to deliver the high-quality education our students deserve.

QUESTION 4: Please let our readers know how you and your party can increase the amount of truly affordable housing in Scarborough Southwest and how it can be built more quickly?

Across Scarborough Southwest, workers and families are looking for affordable housing, close to the transit, infrastructure and services they rely on.

That is why our PC team has taken decisive action to remove the HST on new homes for all buyers, saving families up to $200,000 on the cost of a new home.

At the same time, we are working with our federal and municipal partners to reduce unnecessary delays, eliminate development charges and invest in the roads, bridges, and water systems we need to build more homes, faster.

As MPP, I’ll fight every day to bring prices down while making sure people across Scarborough Southwest are able to afford a home and raise a family, while ensuring future growth works for the community we all call home.