Simcoe North

Simcoe North stretches across the northern and eastern reaches of Simcoe County, from the twin harbourside towns of Midland and Penetanguishene on Georgian Bay eastward through Orillia—the riding's largest community—and the resort townships of Severn, Ramara, and Oro-Medonte. Christian Island, home to the Beausoleil First Nation, and the Chippewas of Rama First Nation (Mnjikaning) also fall within its boundaries, connected to the mainland by ferry.

Candidates

Bruce Stanton (Conservative) — Born in Orillia, Stanton was seeking a fifth consecutive term. He ran the Bayview Wildwood Resort, a family-operated tourism business on Sparrow Lake that traced its origins to 1898. Before entering federal politics in 2006, he served on the Township of Severn council and held board positions with Resorts Ontario. In Parliament, he served as Assistant Deputy Speaker and Chair of Committees of the Whole.

Gerry Hawes (Liberal) — A first-time federal candidate who had spent years as a policy adviser with the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport. Hawes had deep roots in the local Liberal organization, having served as executive assistant and chief campaign organizer for former MP Paul DeVillers across four successful election campaigns.

Angelique Belcourt (NDP) — A twenty-three-year-old Midland resident who entered the race with only four weeks left in the campaign after discovering the NDP had no confirmed candidate in the riding. Belcourt was pursuing a Master of Arts in Adult Education and Community Development at the University of Toronto's Ontario Institute for Studies in Education and was active in the Historic Georgian Bay Métis Community.

Valerie Powell (Green Party) — A community volunteer who stepped forward after the originally nominated Green candidate resigned. Powell had run previously for the party and brought experience in community and non-profit work.

Stephen Makk (People's Party) and Chris Brown (Christian Heritage Party) also contested the riding.

About the Riding

Orillia, with roughly 31,000 residents, anchors the riding as a regional service centre. It is home to the Ontario Provincial Police general headquarters, a casino, and the Orillia Soldiers' Memorial Hospital. To the west, Midland and Penetanguishene—where a historically significant francophone community maintains a distinct cultural presence—draw heritage tourists to the Martyrs' Shrine, Sainte-Marie among the Hurons, and Discovery Harbour. The Chippewas of Rama First Nation operate Casino Rama Resort, one of Ontario's largest entertainment complexes and a major regional employer since it opened in 1996.

Cottage country along Lakes Simcoe and Couchiching and the Trent-Severn Waterway sustains a seasonal tourism economy that swells the population every summer but also strains local infrastructure. By 2019, health care access was a persistent concern—family physician shortages and long wait times affected communities across the riding. The Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care in Penetanguishene, one of Ontario's largest psychiatric facilities, served a broad regional catchment. Stanton's incumbency and deep community ties had made Simcoe North a safe Conservative seat, though the contest drew a competitive Liberal challenge.