PC and NDP Hold Ground in Three Ontario Byelections

Ontario Premier Doug Ford's Progressive Conservatives and the New Democratic Party successfully defended their seats in three byelections held Thursday, as Global News Toronto first reported.

In Hamilton East–Stoney Creek, PC candidate Jeff Beattie won with nearly 39 per cent of the vote, defeating NDP candidate Monique Taylor, who received 33 per cent. Liberal Heino Doessing finished third with 23 per cent. In York–Simcoe, PC candidate Susan Lahey won 49.8 per cent of the vote, beating Liberal Naomi Davison's 38.8 per cent. Lahey fills the seat vacated by former Treasury Board president Caroline Mulroney.

Meanwhile, the NDP's Fatima Shaban won the Scarborough Southwest race, which was a two-way contest between the NDP and the Liberals, capturing more than 40 per cent of the vote.

Premier Ford attributed the results to voters wanting a leader who will fight against U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs. Peter Graefe, a McMaster University political science professor, told Global News Toronto that escalating trade tensions likely benefited Ford, particularly in Hamilton East–Stoney Creek where steel tariffs are a primary concern. Graefe noted that this focus made it difficult for opposition parties to center the vote on government scandals, such as the nearly $29 million private jet purchase or the hotel expense controversy that led to the resignation of Tourism Minister Stan Cho.

NDP Leader Marit Stiles claimed the results prove the NDP is the only party capable of defeating the conservatives. However, Graefe described the byelections as "nothing burgers," noting that unofficial results from Elections Ontario show voter turnout across the three races was just over 25 per cent.