Know your riding — Canada Votes 2025: Niagara South

This election will be the first for the newly named riding of Niagara South. 

Much of the region was in the riding of Niagara Centre, but redistribution in 2023 significantly changed the southeast boundaries, adding about 35 per cent from what was previously the Niagara Falls riding. 

The new Niagara South riding contains the cities of Port Colborne, Thorold and Welland and the Town of Fort Erie. It's bordered by Lake Erie to the south and partly by the U.S. border in the east. 

The redistribution may give the Conservatives an advantage in the federal election, according to a CBC analysis of 2021 election results. 

Liberal candidate Vance Badewey won the 2015, 2019 and 2021 elections for Niagara Centre and will run again, this time for Niagara South. 

CBC Hamilton sent a survey to major party candidates, or their party representatives. Their responses, edited for length and clarity, are reflected below.

Vance Badawey, Liberal

Before he was elected as MP in 2015, Badawey, 60, was the Mayor of Port Colborne and a councillor for the Niagara region. He said, in the survey, he's helped get investments worth $3.7 billion in the riding. 

"I've fought to keep urgent care centres open, supported the rise of new local industries and helped create thousands of good-paying jobs for families right here at home," Badawey said. 

He said in the survey he's running again "to take the politics out of politics — and focus on the business of the government." 

Natashia Bergen, Green

Natashia Bergen is a cannabis grow technician and graduated from the University of Guelph with a horticulture certificate, according to her LinkedIn. She did not fill out the survey and more information about her is not readily available online.

Fred Davies, Conservative

Fred Davies has been a business leader in the Niagara region for four decades, has served as a school board trustee and is currently a regional councillor, says his campaign profile. He did not respond to the survey.

"Known for his hands-on approach to business, Fred knows what it takes to create jobs and support families," says his website. 

"As a business mentor, Fred has guided many young entrepreneurs to help them achieve their entrepreneurial dreams." 

Chantal McCollum, NDP

McCollum, 43, is a lawyer and previously worked as an environmental consultant.

She said if elected, she would fight to protect public health care by enforcing the Canada Health Act. She'd push the federal government to play a more "active role" to keep "critical health services in place" in Fort Erie, Port Colborne and Welland. 

"I would also fight to ensure all levels of government work together in implementing policies to make life more affordable, including but not limited to expanding the availability of affordable housing," she said in the survey. 

Peter Taras, People's Party

Peter Taras, 52, has a master's degree in organic chemistry, owns a greenhouse and operates a garden centre. He said in the survey people should vote for him and the People's Party of Canada this election because it "puts Canadians first." 

The party will focus on deporting people "here illegally and reduce the burden on Canadian taxpayers," he said. 

"Additionally, we are calling for a moratorium on immigration, until our housing prices stabilize." 

The PPC will also strengthen border security and end the trade war with the U.S. by removing all tariffs on American products, Taras said. 

Also running

• David Vedova, Christian Heritage Party of Canada: Alarmed by the "rapid decline in society's cultural and moral fabric," decided to run to unite Christians in the political sphere and "be bold," his website says.