Doly Begum, the new MPP for Scarborough Southwest. (Facebook)
By Chelsey Devito
Doly Begum, the newly elected MPP for Scarborough Southwest, was among scores of rookie politicians who went to Queen’s Park on Monday for training on everything from the legislative process to running a constituency office and balancing an MPP’s budget.
“It’s like orientation on the first day of school,” Begum told Birch Cliff News in an interview.
#firstdayofschool #Classof2018 https://t.co/mjaX66I5Ea
— Doly Begum (@DolyBegum) June 19, 2018
Almost two weeks after the June 7 election that saw her topple long time Liberal MPP Lorenzo Berardinetti, Begum said she never took her victory for granted.
(Elections Ontario)
“I didn’t know I was going to win until the count, and I was just very happy,” Begum said.
Although the election resulted in a majority Progressive Conservative government, Begum surpassed Gary Ellis, the PC candidate in Scarborough Southwest, by 6,000 votes.
She defeated Berardinetti by a margin of more than 11,000 votes.
“I think there was a sense of urgency to have change, and that change was the NDP,” Begum said.
It’s not unusual for the voters of Scarborough Southwest to elect a New Democrat.
Federally, the NDP’s Dan Harris represented the riding in Ottawa from 2011 – 2015.
At one point, before boundaries changed through redistribution in 1996, part of the riding was known as Scarborough West and it sent New Democrats to Queen’s Park for 33 years, including NDP leader Stephen Lewis.
Excited and honoured to address our first NDP caucus meeting today, the largest Official Opposition in a generation — with 50% women and as diverse as Ontario! #ONpoli pic.twitter.com/yAiX0gSA3c
— Andrea Horwath (@AndreaHorwath) June 14, 2018
Begum was born in Bangladesh, moved to Scarborough with her family in 2003, and has lived in Scarborough Southwest ever since.
At the age of 11, her life changed dramatically when her father got into a severe car accident.
“We thought we were going to say goodbye to him,” Begum said. She attributes her father’s survival to the Ontario health care system. After years of rehabilitation her father learned how to walk again and fully recovered.
“It really made me understand how important our social services are,” Begum said, and she made health care a strong point in her campaign.
Doly Begum. (Facebook)
Begum began volunteering at age 14 for campaigns on violence against women, and also volunteered for the YWCA Women’s Shelter.
She continued to volunteer in her community of Warden Woods, and served as the Vice President of Warden Woods Community Centre, which has over 6,000 clients.
Begum is a graduate of satec @ W.A Porter C.I in Scarborough.
She attended the University of Toronto and received her Masters in Development, Administration & Planning from University College, London, in 2015.
In 2016, Begum was the campaign coordinator for Keep Hydro Public, the opposition to privatizing Hyrdo One.
“She really wants to improve this neighborhood,” said Krystyna Nesterenko, a friend and campaign volunteer.
Conservatives “might sell everything off”
“I want to focus on making like more affordable,” Begum said about her priorities for her term office. Begum said she wants to focus on more affordable dental care and auto insurance for residents of Scarborough Southwest.
“We can’t trust the Conservatives with our services, because they might sell everything off, and we will make sure to keep the government to account, because it’s the only way we can make sure our province doesn’t go backwards,” Begum said.
It’s expected that the new government will be sworn in at the end of the month. In the meantime, Scarborough Southwest’s newest MPP is learning the ropes, getting accustomed to her new office and plans to host community town halls once she is settled.
i am really delighted for her outstanding achievement.