Beaches—East York

Beaches—East York is an urban Toronto riding stretching along the Lake Ontario waterfront from the Beaches neighbourhood through East York. Known for its tree-lined residential streets, the Boardwalk along Woodbine Beach, and the vibrant shops of Queen Street East, the riding has historically been competitive between the NDP and Liberals. NDP incumbent Rima Berns-McGown, who won the seat in 2018, announced her retirement from politics in March 2022, citing the personal toll of public life. Her departure created an open race that attracted high-profile candidates from both the NDP and Liberals, making it one of the most closely watched contests in the province.

Candidates

Mary-Margaret McMahon (Liberal) — A former two-term Toronto City Councillor who represented Ward 32 (Beaches—East York) from 2010 to 2018, McMahon was widely known in the community as an environmental champion and neighbourhood advocate. Her name recognition and deep community roots made her a strong contender for the Liberals.

Kate Dupuis (NDP) — A clinical neuropsychologist specializing in the health and well-being of older adults, Dupuis was a college professor at Sheridan College and a published researcher. A 13-year resident of the riding, she co-founded EBCAT (Earl Beatty Community Asymptomatic Testing), a parent-led rapid testing program in local schools during the pandemic. This was her first campaign for elected office.

Angela Kennedy (Progressive Conservative) — A longtime Toronto Catholic District School Board trustee who had represented the area for more than 20 years, Kennedy grew up in the Beach and attended local Catholic schools. She had previously run as a PC candidate provincially in 2003 and brought experience from both education and nursing.

Abhijeet Manay (Green Party) and Stephen Roney (New Blue Party) also ran, along with John Ferguson (Ontario Party), Drew Garvie (Communist), Joe Ring (None of the Above Direct Democracy Party), and Bahman Yazdanfar (Canadian Constitution Party).

Local Issues

Affordable housing was the dominant issue in Beaches—East York heading into the 2022 election. The riding's housing stock consisted largely of older single-family homes and low-rise apartments, and rising property values had squeezed out renters and first-time buyers. Residents debated the merits of gentle densification, including proposals for more mid-rise development along major corridors such as Danforth Avenue and Queen Street East, while some expressed concern about maintaining the neighbourhood's established character.

Health care and support for seniors were significant concerns in the riding, which has a substantial older population. The pandemic had exposed failures in the long-term care system province-wide, and local residents called for improved standards and staffing in care homes. Dupuis, as a neuropsychologist who worked with elderly patients, brought professional expertise to these discussions. Mental health services and access to family physicians were also frequently raised by constituents.

Environmental issues and community infrastructure rounded out the local agenda. The riding's waterfront location made climate resilience, shoreline protection, and green space preservation important topics. McMahon's record on environmental advocacy at City Hall resonated with voters concerned about these issues. Transit connectivity, particularly improving TTC service and cycling infrastructure along the waterfront and Danforth corridor, was another priority for residents seeking alternatives to car-dependent commuting.