Doug Ford expected to call three provincial by-elections on Aug. 5

Ontario Premier Doug Ford is expected to call three provincial by-elections on Aug. 5, with voting planned for early September.

Vacancies in Hamilton East-Stoney Creek, York-Simcoe and Scarborough Southwest are expected to be filled as a result.

Hamilton East-Stoney Creek MPP Neil Lumsden and former York-Simcoe MPP Caroline Mulroney resigned.

Meanwhile, former Scarborough Southwest NDP MPP Doly Begum left Queen’s Park after winning a federal seat.

All three major parties are now finalizing candidates, with Scarborough Southwest anticipated to be the most competitive race.

The official by-election call is expected the day after Lumsden’s retirement takes effect.

Lumsden’s retirement from his roles as Hamilton East-Stoney Creek MPP and Ontario’s minister of sport is effective on Aug. 4.

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