Ontario holds three provincial byelections September 3 in Scarborough, York-Simcoe, and Hamilton

Premier Doug Ford called three provincial byelections for September 3 in Scarborough Southwest, York-Simcoe, and Hamilton East-Stoney Creek.

In Scarborough Southwest, the byelection became necessary after Doly Begum, who held the seat for the NDP since 2018, vacated it in February to run as a Liberal candidate in the federal riding of Beaches-East York, where she won. Businessman Ahsanul Hafiz defeated former federal MP Nate Erskine-Smith by 19 votes in a hotly contested Liberal nomination race in May. Erskine-Smith, who represented the neighbouring federal riding, had hoped to win the provincial byelection to secure a legislature seat ahead of a likely Ontario Liberal leadership bid. He has since scrapped those plans. The Ontario PCs named Dr. Noor Tarun as their candidate, while Fatima Shaban will seek to keep the seat in the NDP's hands. The Green Party nominated Mark Bekkering.

In York-Simcoe, the Conservatives look to hold the seat vacated by Caroline Mulroney. Small business owner Susan Lahey carries the PC colours, while York Region councillor Naomi Davison runs for the Liberals. The NDP has yet to announce their candidate.

In Hamilton East-Stoney Creek, Jeff Beattie is the PC candidate, Heino Doessing runs for the Liberals (who also ran him in the last provincial election), and the Green Party named Pascale Marchand. The Conservatives will defend the seat that had been held by Neil Lumsden.