Don Valley East

Don Valley East, a Toronto riding that encompasses the densely populated towers of Flemingdon Park and Thorncliffe Park alongside portions of the Don Mills corridor, was held by Liberal Adil Shamji heading into the 2025 election. Shamji won the seat in 2022 after longtime incumbent Michael Coteau left provincial politics in 2021 to pursue a seat in the federal Parliament. During his first term, Shamji served as the Liberal critic for housing, primary care, and Indigenous affairs, drawing on his background as an emergency physician. The riding remained one of the most diverse in Ontario, serving as a settlement destination for newcomers from South Asia, the Middle East, and East Africa, and its high-rise communities faced persistent challenges related to healthcare access, housing, and transit.

Candidates

Adil Shamji (Liberal) — Shamji is an emergency physician who practiced at Michael Garron Hospital in Toronto. He holds a medical degree from the University of Toronto and a Master of Public Policy from the University of Oxford’s Blavatnik School of Government. Before entering politics, he worked in Indigenous communities across Canada. He was first elected in 2022.

Roger Gingerich (Progressive Conservative) — Gingerich has over four decades of experience in the fashion industry and has served as CEO of the Canadian International Fashion Film Festival. He is also a board member of the Commonwealth Fashion Council.

Frank Chu (NDP) and Joshua Miersch (Green Party) also ran. Krasimir Penkov (Ontario Moderate Party) appeared on the ballot as well.

Local Issues

The Ontario Line transit project became a defining issue for Don Valley East during the 2022 to 2025 term. The province announced plans for a transit-oriented community at the future Thorncliffe Park Station, with an application submitted to the City of Toronto in October 2023 proposing approximately 2,660 new homes and 980 jobs. However, Metrolinx’s decision to locate a train maintenance and storage facility in Thorncliffe Park forced the displacement of local businesses and raised concerns about construction impacts. Community members expressed frustration over the lack of guaranteed affordable housing in the development and feared gentrification would push out long-time residents.

Healthcare access remained a persistent concern in a riding where many residents rely on community health centres and walk-in clinics due to the shortage of family physicians. Flemingdon Park and Thorncliffe Park, designated as Neighbourhood Improvement Areas by the City of Toronto, continued to face challenges associated with lower average incomes, crowded multi-generational households, and gaps in culturally appropriate health services.

The Ontario Science Centre closure also resonated in the riding. The provincial government’s decision to relocate the Science Centre from its iconic Don Mills location to Ontario Place sparked opposition from residents who valued the institution as a local landmark and community asset. The Auditor General’s December 2023 report found the relocation decision was not fully informed, and costs escalated well beyond initial estimates.