Neethsn Shan is councillor-elect in Scarborough-Rouge River

A familiar face is heading back to Toronto City Hall.

Neethan Shan, who represented the former ward of Scarborough-Rouge River almost eight years ago before Premier Doug Ford reduced the number of city councillors in Toronto by half, is the new councillor-elect for Ward 25, Scarborough-Rouge River.

Shan won the byelection with just under 27 per cent of the vote, beating his next closest opponent Anu Sriskandarajah by about 1,800 votes, according unofficial results posted by the City of Toronto online.

“People know that I have a track record of doing things, that I’m a hard worker. I’ve been on the ground,” Shan, a former Toronto District School Board chair, said on Monday night.

“I’m not somebody who distances myself. I do things, so that resonated with people.”

Shan is vowing to “build capacity” across the different neighbourhoods in his ward,” adding that is constituents will “find a voice through me.”

He replaces Jennifer McKelvie, who vacated the seat when she was elected as the new Liberal MP for Ajax last spring. In 2018, McKelvie narrowly unseated Shan, winning in Scarborough-Rouge River.

Coun. Ausma Malik along with Mayor Olivia Chow attended Shan’s event tonight, offering their congratulations to the newest member of council.

“(Neethan) will champion the needs of people in Scarborough, whether it be building more homes that people can afford, making life more affordable, better city services,” Chow said.

Chow, Neethan Shan Sept. 29 Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow congratulates Neethan Shan, the new counillor-elect for Scarborough-Rouge River, on Sept. 29.

In total, 20 candidates were vying for the seat.

Shan will hold the seat until the next municipal election, which is slated to take place in October 2026.

With files from CTV News Toronto’s Alison Hurst