TORONTO -- A former Toronto police chief will run for the Liberals in a Toronto riding in this year's federal election.

Bill Blair won the nomination for the riding of Scarborough Southwest on Saturday.

Blair ended his tenure as police chief earlier this year.

The riding is currently held by the New Democrats who snatched it from the Liberals in the 2011 election.

Blair tweeted that he is truly honoured to be nominated and is humbled by the outpouring of support.