Scarborough Coun. Jennifer McKelvie announced as federal Liberal candidate in Ajax

Scarborough councillor Jennifer McKelvie is running to become the next Ajax MP.

Terry Duguid, the Liberal Party of Canada’s national campaign co-chair, confirmed the news in a statement posted online on Monday night.

“I’m pleased to share that Jennifer McKelvie will be the Liberal Candidate for Ajax in the next federal election, and will continue building on our hard work to keep Canada moving forward,” he wrote.

“As we look forward to the important work ahead of us, the hope and hard work of Liberals across Canada will ensure our candidates and teams are ready to run competitive campaigns and earn another mandate from Canadians – including right here in Ajax.”

In a written statement, which was provided to CP24 on Tuesday morning, McKelvie said she’s running federally because it is time for her to “stand up for Canada” as “our country faces unprecedented threats.”

“Today I am announcing that I will be the Liberal Party of Canada candidate for Ajax in the upcoming election,” she said, adding Mark Carney is the “leader Canada needs right now.”

“He will strengthen our relationships with reliable trading partners and grow our economy to be more independent, resilient, and sustainable. Our Prime Minister needs a team with the skills to deliver for families, keep life affordable, and protect Canada. I am proud to join that team to protect jobs in Ajax and across Ontario - Canada’s economic engine.”

McKelvie says she has ‘deep’ ties to Ajax and Durham Region

McKelvie went on to say that she has “deep personal and professional ties to Ajax and Durham Region.”

“Many of my family and friends call Ajax home, and I want to represent this beautiful community in the House of Commons,” she wrote.

“From building our infrastructure and protecting our environment, to my experience with the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, Ontario’s Big City Mayors and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities - I have the skills and experience to meet the challenges of this moment and deliver for Ajax.”

McKelvie, who was first elected to Toronto city council in 2018 and is presently serving her second term as the Scarborough-Rouge River representative, said she intends to take a leave of absence and will be donating her salary to the Toronto and Region Conservation Foundation.

“During this time my constituency staff will remain available to support the constituents of Scarborough-Rouge Park. I look forward to rolling up my sleeves, knocking on doors and hearing the concerns of residents across Ajax in the coming weeks,” she said.

In 2022, McKelvie was appointed as a Toronto deputy mayor. She assumed the role of mayor from February to July 2023 after John Tory stepped down.

An award-wining geoscientist, McKelvie serves as chair of the infrastructure and environment committee and sits on the board of the Green Municipal Fund for the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.

Toronto mayor says McKelvie has done ‘phenominally good work’ for the city

Speaking to reporters following an unrelated announcement on Tuesday morning, Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow said McKelvie has done “phenomenally good work” at City Hall, pointing to her service as acting mayor in 2023 as well as her leadership of the city’s “tough” Infrastructure and Environment Committee.

“I wish her well in her run in Ajax,” Chow said, adding that the House of Commons is a “great place to be.”

“This is the time, we all have to come together to be united in taking a Team Canada approach to defend our sovereignty, especially our economic sovereignty, so if [McKelvie] gets elected her talents will be very much needed in the House of Commons, but so might be her opponent who is running against her in Ajax. I don’t know them,” Chow said.

“Whoever gets elected, this is one election that matters a great deal to the future of our country and we must come together and work hard to urge Canadians to shop local, buy local, and really support Canadian industry and businesses.”

Mckelvie is taking on Conservative candidate Greg Brady, a former AM 640 morning host.

Ajax is currently represented federally by Liberal MP Mark Holland, who announced last week that he won’t be running again.