Former federal and provincial Liberal politician Han Dong has announced his candidacy for Toronto City Council, seeking to represent the Scarborough North ward in this fall’s municipal election.
Dong revealed his decision in a social media post on Wednesday, saying he intends to bring his years of experience in provincial and federal politics to municipal government.
A veteran Liberal politician, Dong served as a Member of Provincial Parliament for Trinity-Spadina from 2014 to 2018 before winning consecutive federal elections in Don Valley North in 2019 and 2021.
His federal political career was disrupted in 2023 when he resigned from the Liberal caucus following media reports alleging communications with the Chinese Consulate. Dong denied any wrongdoing and subsequently sat as an independent MP.
The issue became a major focus of Canada’s foreign interference debate and was examined during the Public Inquiry into Foreign Interference. The inquiry’s final report, released in 2025, cleared Dong of wrongdoing. He later reached a settlement in a defamation lawsuit against Global News.
In announcing his campaign, Dong said he hopes to leverage his experience at Queen’s Park and Parliament Hill to advocate for Scarborough North and help attract investment, create jobs and improve economic opportunities in the community.
He also pledged to promote fiscal responsibility at Toronto City Hall while focusing on local priorities and services for residents.
Dong’s entry adds a high-profile name to Toronto’s upcoming municipal election, where candidates across the city are preparing for contests that will shape council’s approach to housing, transit, infrastructure and municipal finances.
The Scarborough North race is expected to attract significant attention given Dong’s political profile and experience at both the provincial and federal levels.Former federal and provincial Liberal politician Han Dong has announced his candidacy for Toronto City Council, seeking to represent the Scarborough North ward in this fall’s municipal election.
Dong revealed his decision in a social media post on Wednesday, saying he intends to bring his years of experience in provincial and federal politics to municipal government.
A veteran Liberal politician, Dong served as a Member of Provincial Parliament for Trinity-Spadina from 2014 to 2018 before winning consecutive federal elections in Don Valley North in 2019 and 2021.
His federal political career was disrupted in 2023 when he resigned from the Liberal caucus following media reports alleging communications with the Chinese Consulate. Dong denied any wrongdoing and subsequently sat as an independent MP.
The issue became a major focus of Canada’s foreign interference debate and was examined during the Public Inquiry into Foreign Interference. The inquiry’s final report, released in 2025, cleared Dong of wrongdoing. He later reached a settlement in a defamation lawsuit against Global News.
In announcing his campaign, Dong said he hopes to leverage his experience at Queen’s Park and Parliament Hill to advocate for Scarborough North and help attract investment, create jobs and improve economic opportunities in the community.
He also pledged to promote fiscal responsibility at Toronto City Hall while focusing on local priorities and services for residents.
Dong’s entry adds a high-profile name to Toronto’s upcoming municipal election, where candidates across the city are preparing for contests that will shape council’s approach to housing, transit, infrastructure and municipal finances.
The Scarborough North race is expected to attract significant attention given Dong’s political profile and experience at both the provincial and federal levels.
