Progressive Conservative MPP Sheref Sabawy has emerged victorious in Mississauga—Erin Mills after a judicial recount confirmed his razor-thin election night win over Liberal challenger Qasir Dar. Official results released Friday by Elections Ontario show Sabawy with 16,694 votes—a 23-vote edge over Dar’s 16,671—widening his initial 20-vote lead by three.
The February 27 race, the tightest in Mississauga and second-closest provincewide, triggered a mandatory recount under Ontario law, which requires scrutiny when candidates are separated by 25 votes or fewer. Unofficial tallies had Sabawy at 16,665 and Dar at 16,645, prompting the review completed March 10. NDP candidate Mubashir Rizvi held third with 2,090 votes. A two-day appeal window followed, but no challenges surfaced.
Sabawy’s win cements a third straight Mississauga sweep for Doug Ford’s PCs, thwarting Liberal hopes of a local breakthrough under new leader Bonnie Crombie, Mississauga’s former mayor. While Ford’s majority shrank by three seats from 2022, the PCs still dominated, leaving Crombie’s Liberals with 14 seats—enough for official party status, up from eight.
First elected in 2018, Sabawy trounced his 2022 rival by 1,758 votes, making this year’s nail-biter a stark contrast. Provincewide, only Mushkegowuk—James Bay was closer, with NDP incumbent Guy Bourgouin clinging to a four-vote lead over PC Dave Plourde; its recount is slated for March 17.
In Mississauga—Erin Mills, Sabawy’s resilience has locals buzzing online—some hail his track record on projects like the Hazel McCallion LRT, while others lament the Liberal shutout. For now, the Tory grip on the city holds firm.