York South—Weston

York South—Weston is a diverse, working-class riding in northwest Toronto encompassing the neighbourhoods of Weston, Mount Dennis, and Keelesdale-Eglinton West. Michael Ford of the Progressive Conservatives had won the seat in 2022, narrowly defeating NDP incumbent Faisal Hassan. As the nephew of Premier Doug Ford, Michael Ford was quickly appointed Minister of Citizenship and Multiculturalism. However, in September 2024 he announced he was stepping back from cabinet for health reasons, and he ultimately did not seek re-election, leaving an open seat heading into the 2025 contest. The riding’s residents continued to face persistent challenges around housing affordability, flooding, and community safety throughout the 2022–2025 term.

The race attracted six candidates, with the contest centering on whether the Progressive Conservatives could hold the seat without the Ford family’s direct name recognition or whether the NDP could reclaim it.

Candidates

Mohamed Firin (Progressive Conservative) — A lifelong resident of northwest Toronto of Somali-Canadian descent, Firin had served as the provincial government’s Advocate for Community Opportunities and as a Special Advisor to the Premier. He chaired the Premier’s Council on Equality of Opportunity, where he focused on economic empowerment and public safety initiatives.

Daniel Di Giorgio (Liberal) — A Toronto Catholic District School Board trustee for Ward 10, Di Giorgio was born and raised in York South—Weston. He had spent years advocating for education funding and improved school facilities in the riding.

Faisal Hassan (NDP) — Originally from Somalia, Hassan emigrated to Canada in 1990. He represented the riding as MPP from 2018 to 2022 and was the first Somali-Canadian elected to the Ontario Legislature. Before entering politics, he worked for over fifteen years on housing issues in Toronto with organizations including Midaynta Community Services and Woodgreen Housing. As MPP, he introduced the private member’s bill that established Somali Heritage Week in Ontario.

Lilian Barrera (Green Party) — Born in Mexico City and raised in Canada, Barrera attended the University of Ottawa, studying communications and visual arts in French immersion. She brought experience in marketing, government, education, and the film industry to her campaign.

Victor Ehikwe (New Blue Party) and K. Ann Thomas (Independent) also ran.

Local Issues

Housing affordability and the threat of displacement weighed heavily on the riding during the 2022–2025 term. Long considered one of Toronto’s more affordable neighbourhoods, Weston saw rents climb sharply, with some longtime residents reporting increases of a thousand dollars or more over the previous five years. Tenants organized against renovictions and above-guideline rent increases pursued by corporate landlords, and community members voiced concern that rising property values were pushing racialized and lower-income residents out of the area.

The delayed Eglinton Crosstown LRT continued to shape local anxieties. The project’s western terminus at Mount Dennis Station had been under construction since 2011, and repeated delays pushed the line’s expected opening well beyond original timelines. Residents hoped the transit line would improve connectivity, but also worried about the gentrification pressure it was expected to bring. Meanwhile, the anticipated Eglinton Crosstown West Extension, which would extend the line further into the riding, had entered early construction phases during 2024.

Flooding remained a persistent concern for homeowners along the Humber River and Black Creek corridors. Parts of the riding sit on some of the highest-risk flood plains in the Toronto region, and residents had experienced repeated basement flooding during heavy rainfall events. Community advocates called for greater provincial investment in flood mitigation infrastructure and coordination with the Toronto Region Conservation Authority on long-term protection strategies.