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Election night in York Region featured a regional council race involving candidates involved in one of the 2025 federal election’s ugliest controversies.
Former Liberal MP Paul Chiang and former Conservative candidate Joe Tay were among the 11 candidates vying for four Markham regional councillor seats.
Chiang, a former York Regional Police sergeant, was forced to step aside from his 2025 federal campaign after suggesting Tay be handed over to the Chinese consulate in exchange for a Hong Kong bounty.
Chiang later apologized for his comments and was allowed by Prime Minister Mark Carney to continue his campaign, but stepped down after the RCMP began investigating his comments.
Unofficial results Monday night showed Don Hamilton in front with 36,701 votes, followed by Jack Heath with 32,011 and Amanda Yeung Collucci with 31,004.
Chiang had 21,856.
Many familiar faces on election night
In Markham, incumbent Frank Scarpitti won against challengers Stephen Edgell and Martin Ross.
Vaughan Mayor Steven Del Duca was re-elected to a second term, defeating lone challenger Shelly-Ann Starlette Cerrelli.
Over in East Gwillimbury, Scott Crone beat Brian Johns to become mayor succeeding Virginia Hackson, who retired after more than 50 years in public service.
Aurora Mayor Tom Mrakas was looking to maintain his mandate against challengers Coun. John Gallo, Shawn Deane and Yafang Shi. Results were not available by press time.
In Georgina, Margaret Quirk was seeking to win a fourth term against Coun. Dale Genge and Frank Sebo, while in King Township Mayor Steve Pellegrini is in a pitch two-way race with Stephen Ferritto.
Richmond Hill Mayor David West was re-elected, running against challengers Domenic Bardari and Holo Devnani.
Both Newmarket’s John Taylor and Whitchurch-Stouffville’s Iain Lovatt won by acclamation in August.
As it’s a position appointed by the province, York region chair wasn’t on the ballot.
Former York Regional Police chief Eric Jolliffe has held the post since January 2025.
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