Police Suspect Arson After Liberal MP’s Car Set Ablaze Outside Toronto-Area Home

Liberal MP for Scarborough Centre Salma Zahid speaks with reporters about the International Court of Justice ruling on Israel before attending caucus, in Ottawa on Jan. 26, 2024. The Canadian Press/Adrian Wyld

Toronto police are investigating a suspected arson at the home of Liberal MP Salma Zahid after multiple cars were set ablaze during the early morning hours of Aug. 26.

The Scarborough Centre—Don Valley East MP confirmed in a statement posted on social media that her car was set on fire by an “individual,” but offered no further details about the perpetrator.

Prime Minister Mark Carney called the act “unacceptable” in a statement on Aug. 27.

Carney described the fire as a “cowardly act of violence and intimidation” that has no place in Canada.

“I’m relieved Salma and her family are safe,” Carney wrote on social media. “The Toronto Police have my full support as they search for the criminal or criminals responsible and ensure they are held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”

Toronto Police Service media relations officer Stephanie Miceli also confirmed the incident occurred at Zahid’s residence and that investigators believe it was an arson.

Zahid said there was no damage to her home, but noted that her neighbour’s vehicle was also torched. She said both her son and her neighbour called 911.

Officers responded to the call in a residential Scarborough neighbourhood in the city’s east-end at approximately 1:20 a.m., Miceli said via email.

Toronto Fire Services was also on scene to extinguish the fire, she told The Epoch Times, noting that three vehicles in total were damaged.

Miceli said there were no injuries and there is currently no information on who may have been responsible. She said police will provide more information about the investigation when possible.

Zahid said she doesn’t want to speculate about a “possible motive.”

“We will await the results of the investigation,” the MP said. “Such attacks … will not deter me from my work serving Scarborough Centre—Don Valley East.”

Liberal backbencher Zahid has represented Scarborough Centre as an MP since 2015. She currently chairs the standing committee on science and research and serves as the vice-chair of the Canada-China legislative association.

The Canadian Press contributed to this report.