Conservative candidate wins federal byelection in Durham, CBC News projects

A political commentator running for the Conservatives will win the federal byelection in the riding of Durham on Monday night, CBC News projects.

Jamil Jivani will take over the seat left vacant by former Conservative leader Erin O'Toole.

Jivani was president of the Canada Strong and Free Network, the political advocacy group and think-tank formerly known as the Manning Centre. He has written for the National Post and the Toronto Sun.

As of 10:20 p.m., Jivani had 7,102 votes, with a lead of 4,194 votes over Liberal candidate Robert Rock, a municipal councillor in the Township of Scugog. Rock had 2,906 votes. A total of 140 out of 217 polls were reporting.

According to the bio on his campaign website, he has volunteered with several organizations dedicated to improving the lives of youth and is a cancer survivor.

The byelection was called in January after longtime representative Erin O'Toole announced his retirement from politics and resigned his seat last year. O'Toole held the riding for the Conservatives for 11 years and also led the party in the 2021 federal election.

CBC's is hosting a live results special. You can watch it live in this story.

The other candidates running to replace O'Toole include:

• Robert Rock, Liberal Party of Canada. Rock is currently a municipal councillor in the Township of Scugog.
• Chris Borgia, New Democratic Party. Borgia is an electrician and labour executive.
• Kevin MacKenzie, Green Party of Canada. MacKenzie is a Catholic school board trustee in Clarington.
• Patricia Conlin, People's Party of Canada. Conlin is a consultant and leadership trainer.

The full list of candidates can be found here.

The vote comes as public polling suggests Pierre Poilievre's Tories hold a double-digit lead over the