Jean Yip, widow of late Arnold Chan, wins Scarborough-Agincourt byelection
Yip wins with 49.4% of the vote, besting Conservative candidate Dasong Zou
Jean Yip has won the federal byelection race to replace her late husband, Arnold Chan, as MP for Scarborough Agincourt.
Yip, who ran for the Liberals, has received 9,091 votes. Banking professional and Conservative candidate Dasong Zou finished with 7,448.
"I know he would be so proud of me today," Yip said of Chan in a victory speech Monday night. "Arnold would have really loved this campaign because it brought all his friends together, federally, provincially, the Liberal Party and even friends who are not political."
Yip added that she took inspiration from people who'd lost their partners in life as well as single parents "who have moved forward and continue their dreams.
"I am so grateful for the tremendous support that you have all given me."
Seven candidates, including two independents, vied for the Scarborough-Agincourt seat.
The riding, which runs from Victoria Park to Midland Avenues and from Highway 401 to Steeles Avenue, became vacant following the death of Liberal MP Arnold Chan from cancer at age 50 in September.
Brian Chang was the NDP candidate. Michael DiPasquale ran for the Green Party, while Jude Coutinho ran for the Christian Heritage Party. The independents include John "The Engineer" Turmel and Tom Zhu.
Polls closed at 9:30 p.m.
A total of 68,775 eligible to vote
The Liberals have held Scarborough-Agincourt for nearly 30 years. The Conservatives increased their vote share from 34 per cent in 2011, when the party won a majority government to 38 per cent in 2015, when the party returned to the opposition benches.
The other byelections occurring Monday include Bonavista–Burin–Trinity in Newfoundland, Battlefords–Lloydminster in Saskatchewan, and South Surrey–White Rock in B.C.
Elections Canada said there are 68,775 people eligible to vote Scarborough-Agincourt our of a population of 104,499. Advance polls in the riding were held on December on December 1, 2, 3 and 4.
Chan had urged MPs to 'elevate our debate'
Chan was first elected to the riding in a byelection in 2014. Six months later, he was diagnosed with a rare type of head and neck cancer.
He endured six months of radiation and chemotherapy, but learned in March 2016 that his cancer had returned. Chan died on Sept. 14, 2017.
In his last speech in the House of Commons in June, Chan urged MPs to respect the institution of Parliament.
"I would ask all of us to elevate our debate, to elevate our practice," he said.
Chan also urged MPs to "listen to each other," and all Canadians to "give their heart to their democracy; that they treasure it, revere it."
