Know your riding — Canada Votes 2025: Hamilton Mountain

• Read all of CBC Hamilton's coverage of the federal election here. 

The Liberals flipped Hamilton Mountain in the 2021 federal election when candidate Lisa Hepfner beat the second-place NDP candidate by 835 votes. Now, former NDP member of provincial Parliament Monique Taylor will seek to win it back for the federal NDP. 

Prior to Hepfner's victory, the riding had been held by the NDP since 2006. 

Hamilton Mountain is 38 square kilometres and includes urban and suburban neighbourhoods on the escarpment that divides Hamilton. As of 2023 boundary changes, the riding goes from the edge of the escarpment in the north to a transmission line south of Rymal Road. Its western boundaries are West 5th Street and Garth Street. Its eastern boundary is Glover Road and the escarpment. 

The population of the riding is about 116,000. Per the 2021 census, the median total household income was $85,000 in 2020. About 30 per cent of residents identify as visible minorities. 

CBC Hamilton sent a survey to major party candidates, or their representatives, asking why people should vote for them. Here's some of what they said, organized alphabetically by candidates' last names.

Lisa Hepfner, Liberal

Before politics, Hepfner, 53, was a journalist with CHCH News and The Hamilton Spectator. 

"As a news reporter I spent decades listening to the people of Hamilton and covering this city's most momentous events. The skills I gleaned through those years have led me to be a very effective advocate for the Mountain, proven by our many recent investments in things like affordable housing, childcare and dental care," she said. 

"I have also been a staunch promoter of the steel industry and getting more women into the trades.  Further, [Liberal Leader] Mark Carney is exactly the leader Canada needs in this moment, to protect our sovereignty and build a more resilient and independent economy."

Ken Hewitt, Conservative

Ken Hewitt, 57, says he's currently self-employed. He was mayor of Haldimand-Norfolk for three terms and was first elected in 2010.

"I have the experience as Mayor for 12 years and I fully understand the issues and concerns that Hamiltonians are facing. Concerns around tariffs, affordability and soaring taxes, failed policies. I know through experience how to voice the concerns of my constituents and get results effectively," he said.

"This election is likely the most important one that people have faced in their generation and we need people who understand the needs along with the economics of how to meet those needs without chasing businesses and professionals out of our country."

Monique Taylor, NDP

Taylor  did not respond to CBC Hamilton's survey before publication. 

She was an MPP between 2011 and 2025, and served as the NDP Critic for Children, Community, and Social Services. 

"Monique has always focused her work on ways in which governments need to step up for the people of Hamilton and is now looking forward to taking her passion and drive right across Canada," her website says.

Bing Wong, People's Party of Canada 

Bing Wong says he is in his "early 40s" and works as an entrepreneur focused on topics including auto collision and damage repair. 

"Exit the Uniparty. Accountability for COVID Tyranny. Support the People's Party of Canada to pull the Conservative Party back to the political centre rather than allowing the NDP and LPC to pull the CPC further left of centre," he said. 

Also Running:

Rolf Gerstenberger, Marxist-Leninist Party of Canada: Gerstenberger is the former leader of United Steel Workers Local 1005. On Facebook, he said he is running "so that we empower ourselves, based on standing up for what we want for ourselves, our families, Hamilton and Canada. Not for what we are told is good for us, all based on secret deals behind our backs while we are disposable."