NDP candidate Sarah Jama won last Thursday’s byelection in Hamilton Centre, capturing 54.3 per cent of the vote – more than 6,000 ballots.

The incoming MPP, a disability rights advocate and co-founder of the Disability Justice Network of Ontario, was involved in major social issues in recent years.

“It is very clear that Hamilton Centre wants somebody who’s going to take on Doug Ford and his plans to privatize our health-care system…Hamilton Centre wants someone who’s going to make sure we’re fighting to create affordable cities,” said the 28-year-old as she thanked her team for their hard work that led to her victory.

An equally ebullient Marit Stiles, Ontario NDP leader, said in welcoming Jama to her parliamentary team, “I am incredibly

proud of Sarah Jama, and so excited to welcome her to Queen’s Park as your Hamilton Centre MPP.

“Hamilton Centre has a long history of hard-working, progressive representation, and Sarah has been a dedicated, tenacious part of that work for a long time. She’s a leader who understands the power of solidarity to win more for people and build stronger, more caring communities. Together, we will make a difference in peoples’ lives.”

A McMaster University graduate, Jama won a John C. Holland Award for political action in 2017 and a YWCA Women of Distinction Award in 2022.

Former Ontario NDP leader Andrea Howarth represented Hamilton Centre since it was formed in a redistribution in 2007.

She stepped down to become mayor of Hamilton.

Jama was one of ten candidates who contested last Thursday’s byelection.