Police are currently looking into a suspected case of arson at the residence of a Member of Parliament in Scarborough after several vehicles were set on fire in the early hours of Thursday, according to a statement released by her office. In a written communication on Thursday, Salma Zahid, the MP for Scarborough Centre-Don Valley East, stated that an unidentified individual ignited her car and another vehicle parked outside her home overnight. The statement confirmed that both vehicles were completely destroyed, but fortunately, there was no damage to the house, and Zahid and her family are unharmed. Zahid refrained from speculating on the motive behind the incident and stated that they are awaiting the findings of the investigation.
In a media briefing held outside her residence later in the day, Zahid described the event as “very traumatizing” for her family and expressed concerns about their safety, as well as that of her staff. Consequently, she decided to close her constituency office for the day. The incident occurred around 1:20 a.m. in the vicinity of Bellamy Road N. and Lawrence Avenue E., resulting in the damage of three cars due to a fire. Toronto police did not confirm any direct link to Zahid in their initial statements.
According to Toronto police spokesperson Stephanie Miceli, officers are currently searching for video footage from surveillance cameras and are appealing to potential witnesses for information. Anyone with relevant details is urged to come forward and assist in the ongoing investigation.
A neighbor of Zahid, Victoria Konstantellos, recounted being awoken by what she described as a “muffled explosion” and witnessing flames outside Zahid’s home from her bedroom window. She immediately rushed outside with her mother to alert neighbors and prevent further escalation of the situation. Zahid also shared her own experience of the rapid spread of flames to the vehicles, expressing fear that the fire could reach the house or cause an explosion, emphasizing her shock at the occurrence in their community.
Nandkumar Chava, a tenant residing in the attached house, shared security camera footage capturing the perpetrator approaching the vehicles with a jerry can, pouring what seemed to be gasoline on them, and subsequently setting them ablaze before fleeing the scene. Toronto police have confirmed this sequence of events, describing the suspect as having a slim build and providing a detailed description of the attire worn during the incident, as well as the suspected getaway vehicle.
Zahid, a member of the Liberal Party serving as an MP for Scarborough Centre since 2015, holds key roles in parliamentary committees and legislative associations. She plans to confer regarding security measures with the House of Commons’ sergeant-at-arms, although specific details were not disclosed by the House of Commons. Prime Minister Mark Carney condemned the incident, labeling it as “unacceptable” and emphasizing the need for accountability for the perpetrator.
Public figures and organizations, including the National Council of Canadian Muslims, Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow, and Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles, expressed solidarity with Zahid and her family, denouncing the act of violence and calling for swift apprehension of the responsible party. The incident has elicited strong reactions from various quarters, with a widespread consensus that such acts of intimidation and violence have no place in society.