Spanning from Steeles Avenue in the north to Lake Ontario to the south, Scarborough–Rouge Park is Toronto’s largest ward by area. Three-fourths of the population is made up of visible minorities. The ward has a lower average income than the rest of the city. During the election, residents and candidates raised concerns about being underserved by transit development and city services.

Shan’s platform, like that of many other candidates in the race, was focused on advocating for Scarborough, a part of the city that he has described as not getting its fair share from City Hall. He spoke broadly about issues like community safety, affordability, transit, road improvements, and support for local businesses. In his time as TDSB trustee, Shan was also vocal about racial equity and against Islamophobia, and critical of the provincial underfunding of public education.

The Scarborough–Rouge Park by-election was triggered by city councillor Jennifer McKelvie’s resignation following a successful run for Liberal MP in Ajax during the spring federal election.

While Shan’s victory would have left an open TDSB seat, trustees of the board have currently been suspended from their roles following the provincial takeover of select school boards in the Toronto area, Ottawa, and Thames Valley.