Voters head to the polls in federal byelection for Toronto’s Beaches-East York riding

On Monday evening, Tanveer Shahnawaz, a 30-year-old Liberal candidate, entered the stage in east-end Toronto's Beaches-East York riding, which had just declared him the winner of a federal byelection. Supporters erupted in cheers and chants as Shahnawaz vowed to honor his community and continue building a stronger Beaches-East York.

Shahnawaz, who had worked in the office of his former boss, Nate Erskine-Smith, for nearly a decade, acknowledged that winning the seat was especially meaningful to him, as he grew up in the area. During his victory speech, Shahnawaz gently mocked U.S. President Donald Trump's attempt to rename Lake Ontario "Lake America."

The Liberals emerged victorious in multiple byelections on Monday. Daniel Gobeil, a dairy farmer, won a seat in Quebec's Chicoutimi-Le Fjord, while Braeden Caley, once Carney's deputy chief of staff, secured a win in North Vancouver-Capilano.

Shahnawaz's triumph marks a strong continuation of the Liberal party's dominance in the Beaches-East York riding, which the NDP had previously won in the 2011 "Orange Wave." Erskine-Smith, who held the seat from 2015 until his July resignation, was known for his independent stance and willingness to challenge Liberal orthodoxy on issues like medically assisted death and drug policy. Shahnawaz credited Erskine-Smith's outspokenness as a major factor in his success.

In the weeks leading up to the election, Shahnawaz expressed uncertainty whether he would have voted the same way as Erskine-Smith on a recent Liberal policy change. He suggested that constituents' top concerns included the repeal of the electric vehicle sales mandate. With Shahnawaz's victory, the Liberals have secured a majority of polls, with approximately 55 percent of the vote, followed by Devine at over 25 percent and Syrbos at over 16 percent.