ONTARIO, Canada, October 11 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) - A Canadian Muslim has won parliamentary elections in Ontario, the second largest province of Canada, garnering 54 per cent of the votes and beating the New Democratic Party (NDP) two candidates.

Shafiq Qaadri, a candidate of the Liberal Party, easily swept Etobicoke North as his closest candidate had only won 22 per cent of the ballots, reported the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) on its website Friday, October 10.

"It's a good and bright day for Ontario. We're leaving a lot of the negativity, the division and the cynicism behind…I'll serve in any capacity they invite me to," Qaadri was quoted as saying by the daily Toronto Star.

Etobicoke with the cities of North York, Scarborough, York, and Toronto, and the borough of East York, form the Municipality of Metropolitan Toronto.

The Liberals won 72 of Ontario Legislature's 103 seats, leaving just 24 for the Conservatives and seven for the New Democrats.

Qaadri, a 40-year-old popular politician of Pakistani origin and well known physician from Toronto, is a strong advocate of quality public healthcare, education, and a compassionate society.

He has also developed a strong profile as a health commentator in newspapers and on radio and TV across Canada.

Qaadri regularly appears in several news organizations like CTV/Bell GlobeMedia, CanWest Global, Alliance Atlantis, CBC, CityTV, CJOB Radio Winnipeg, CKNW Radio Vancouver and Rogers Media, ISNA added.

He has been a medical contributor to The Globe and Mail, and also writes a monthly column for doctors in The Medical Post.

Educated at Upper Canada College, Qaadri graduated from the University of Toronto Medical School in 1988.

During his academic career, he won numerous awards and scholarships, including a Canadian National Debating Championship, an English-Speaking Union Essay Prize to Oxford University, and a Medical Research Council Scholarship in Clinical Neurosurgery.

Qaadri is a Designated Medical Practitioner (DMP) of the Government of Canada and has delivered more than 100 Continuing Medical Education (CME) lectures to fellow physicians.

He has taught doctors across Canada about developments in many practice areas, including diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, asthma and prostate disorders.