Balkissoon wins Scarborough byelection

Liberal Bas Balkissoon is on his way to Queen's Park after winning an east Toronto byelection on Thursday.

Balkissoon, a long-serving Toronto city councillor, won the Scarborough-Rouge River seat with about 58 per cent of the ballots cast.

He defeated Conservative Cynthia Lai, who got about 24 per cent of the vote, and New Democrat Sheila White, who took 15 per cent.

The result came as little surprise in a riding that's been a Liberal stronghold. Alvin Curling held the seat for 20 years before stepping down this summer to become Canada's ambassador to the Dominican Republic.

However, the victory also marked the first time the governing Liberals have won a byelection since the 2003 general election that brought them to power.

Balkissoon credited his win to a track record on city council that stretches back to 1988.

"I have experience and the public knows me and have seen my performance over 17 years," he said. "They know what I stand for."

Just 19 per cent of eligible voters cast ballots.

Balkissoon blamed the low turnout on the weather. The election was held on the same day that the first winter storm of the season swept through the city.