Bangladeshi-origin Dolly Begum has set a new milestone in Canadian politics by becoming the first person of Bangladeshi descent elected as a Member of Parliament in a federal by-election.
In the by-election held on Monday (April 14) in Toronto’s Scarborough Southwest riding, she secured a decisive victory as a candidate of the Liberal Party.
In her first speech after being declared the winner, Begum thanked the voters of her constituency and paid tribute to her late husband, Rizwan. She said the achievement was not hers alone, but a shared success of the entire community.
The by-election also strengthened the position of the Liberal Party, which won two seats in Toronto, reinforcing its presence in the House of Commons. As a result, Prime Minister Mark Carney’s party has secured a single-party majority.
In a statement congratulating the newly elected MPs, the prime minister said voters have placed their trust in the government’s plans and pledged to honor that confidence.
Before the by-election, the Liberals held 171 seats, which has now increased to 174. This majority will allow the government to maintain stability and pass key legislation more smoothly until the next general election.