Hamilton West-Ancaster-Dundas
Will voters bring back Ted McMeekin or is it time for new blood?
Description: Hamilton West-Ancaster-Dundas is made up of parts of the former Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Westdale electoral district, along with parts of Hamilton Centre and Hamilton Mountain.
It encompasses the lower city west of Highway 403, western portions of the Mountain, Dundas and parts of Ancaster.
As a new riding, it's never had an elected MPP.
The area is one of the region's most affluent. The vast majority of people living in the riding who responded to the 2016 census were between the ages of 15 and 64 listed English as the only language they speak.
Population: 113,024 (as of the 2016 census)
Watch to watch: There are two story lines to follow in HWAD. The first is what will voters make of PC candidate Ben Levitt, who was renamed as the party's candidate in April after a nomination dispute that involved legal challenges, secret recordings and an ongoing criminal investigation.
The other story is that of Ted McMeekin, a longtime area MPP, who enjoys popularity among voters. Will McMeekin's reputation be enough to keep him afloat from challenges by Levitt and the NDP's Sandy Shaw, as the tide seems to be turning across the province against the rest of the Liberal Party? NDP leader Andrea Horwath has visited the riding several times, suggesting the party sees it as winnable.
Meet the candidates:
Ted McMeekin
An MPP for the past 18 years, McMeekin is former city councillor, mayor of Flamborough, social worker and book store owner.
"I have always fought for our community, and I always will. Because I represent you. It's clear we will have a new Premier, and a new government. And I'm asking you to ensure we continue to have a strong voice for Hamilton West-Ancaster-Dundas at Queen's Park."
Ben Levitt
Occupation: Levitt works in the constituency office of local Member of Parliament David Sweet
"This government is old, tired, scandal-plagued and they've completely lost touch with the average voter. That's why I'm running, to give people a voice, to give opportunities to people who don't have opportunities under this Liberal government."
Sandy Shaw
Occupation: Social justice advocate, former member of the board of directors for the Hamilton Port Authority.
"We all know this is an election that really matters. It's about the future and the kind of province we want to live in. In so many ways, after two decades of Liberal and Conservative rule, this is a province I can hardly recognize."
Peter Ormond
Occupation: Teaching teaching Renewable Energies at Mohawk College
"A new green workforce is emerging, and the Green Party will fight to build a green middle class with good local jobs in food, retrofits and clean innovation. The only way to change the status quo is to elect a new Party, a Party that has new way of doing politics. People Powered Change."
Stephanie Davis: None of the Above Direct Democracy Party
Nicholas Dushko: Libertarian Party
Jim Enos: Independent
