Overview
- The Prime Minister’s Office announced Bill Blair’s posting to the United Kingdom and named Nathalie Drouin ambassador to France and Monaco, with both appointments taking effect this spring.
- Blair’s resignation from Scarborough Southwest became effective Monday afternoon, setting up a federal by-election in the Toronto riding.
- With two Toronto seats now vacant, the House stands at 341 members and the Liberals hold 169 seats, leaving them two short of a majority until by-elections are decided.
- A former Toronto police chief and ex-minister of national defence and public safety, Blair will succeed Ralph Goodale as Canada’s representative in London.
- The Liberals named Ontario NDP MPP Doly Begum as their Scarborough Southwest candidate, Danielle Martin was tapped for University–Rosedale, and MP Nate Erskine-Smith said he will seek the Ontario Liberal nomination to replace Begum provincially.