TORONTO — A man convicted of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old female student he was tutoring has been actively organizing and promoting the Liberal Party’s candidate in the Scarborough Southwest federal by-election, including appearing at events with Prime Minister Mark Carney and using official campaign channels to contact voters.
Yusuf Ali Talukder was found guilty in an Ontario court in May 2010 of sexual interference and sexual assault involving a child under 14. Court records show he repeatedly put his hand inside the girl’s clothing, squeezed her breast on five to seven occasions, lifted her shirt, and rubbed the zipper area of her pants while she sat at her desk during tutoring sessions. He was sentenced to six months in jail and three years of probation. In 2013, the Ontario College of Teachers revoked his teaching certificate as a result of the conviction.6e965f
Despite this history, Talukder participated visibly in the campaign for Doly Begum, the Liberal candidate in the April 13, 2026, by-election. Photos and videos reviewed by investigative outlet The Bureau show him standing beside Begum at the campaign launch and other events, and shaking hands with Prime Minister Carney at a community gathering that was featured in CBC National News coverage. Talukder also attended events alongside Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree.
Public Facebook posts by Talukder used the official campaign email address (info@votedolybegum.ca), included his name and phone number, and offered to arrange transportation for voters to advance polls. In one post, he described lobbying Carney directly to appoint Begum to cabinet, claiming the Prime Minister responded along the lines of “send her to Ottawa first, then we’ll see.”
Talukder confirmed to The Bureau that he did not disclose his 2010 conviction to the campaign, stating it is “in the public records.”
The Liberal Party and Begum’s campaign responded that Talukder holds no official role and that neither the candidate nor campaign staff were aware of his criminal history. They described the event where he met Carney as an open community gathering.
The Scarborough Southwest by-election was triggered by the resignation of former Liberal MP Bill Blair. Doly Begum, who previously served as an Ontario NDP MPP and deputy leader for that riding, crossed the floor to run federally for the Liberals.
The revelations raise questions about volunteer screening practices in political campaigns, particularly in a short by-election period. No evidence has been presented that Talukder engaged in any new misconduct during the campaign, and the Liberal Party has not indicated whether criminal record checks are routinely performed on volunteers.
The story, first reported by journalist Sam Cooper at The Bureau on April 10, 2026, has drawn attention on social media and from opposition figures.
Voters go to the polls in Scarborough Southwest on Monday, April 13.
