Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas

Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas stretches from the western edge of Hamilton's urban core past the communities of Ancaster and Dundas, encompassing both densely populated city neighbourhoods and more affluent suburban and exurban areas in the former townships. The riding runs from West Fifth Street near Mohawk College on the Hamilton Mountain westward through Ancaster and northward to Dundas, taking in some rural territory as well. Its boundaries reach Highway 403 to the east, Highway 52 to the west, and a rail corridor north of Governor's Road to the north.

The population is approximately 120,500. About 26 percent of residents are immigrants, with the largest populations born in the United Kingdom, Italy, and China. Italian, Mandarin, and Arabic are the most common non-official mother tongues. Average individual income is roughly $52,300—higher than the Hamilton average—reflecting the mix of older working-class Hamilton neighbourhoods and the wealthier residential areas of Ancaster and Dundas.

Candidates

Filomena Tassi (Liberal) — Born in Hamilton as the daughter of a steelworker, Tassi is of Italian descent. She studied law at the University of Western Ontario and practised corporate law for six years before leaving the profession to study philosophy and become a chaplain at Bishop Tonnos Secondary School. She also served as a Catholic school board trustee. First elected in 2015, she served as Minister of Seniors, Minister of Labour, and Minister of Public Services and Procurement in successive cabinet roles.

Bert Laranjo (Conservative) — Laranjo is a Registered Nurse specializing in emergency medicine with eighteen years of experience. During the pandemic, he worked on the front lines at Joseph Brant Hospital in Burlington and Toronto General Hospital. He has taught courses at York University and Mount Royal University in Calgary.

Roberto Henriquez (NDP) — Henriquez is a labour and human rights lawyer and small business owner based in Hamilton. He attended McMaster University, graduating with degrees in genetics and political science, then studied law at Osgoode Hall Law School at York University. He serves as vice-chair of the board of a local Community Health Centre and on the board of the Workers Arts and Heritage Centre.

Dean Woods (PPC) — Woods is an IT management professional with a career spanning manufacturing, sales, distribution, and healthcare sectors. Originally from Orangeville, he lives in the Westdale neighbourhood of Hamilton with his partner.

About the Riding

Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas is a riding of contrasts. The Hamilton West portion includes dense, mixed-income neighbourhoods near Mohawk College and along the western edge of the city's lower core. Ancaster and Dundas, by contrast, are established communities with their own distinct commercial centres, historic main streets, and higher median household incomes. Dundas, nestled in the Spencer Creek valley at the western head of Lake Ontario, is known for its historic downtown, waterfalls, and proximity to conservation areas along the escarpment. Ancaster's residential neighbourhoods sit on the brow and upper reaches of the Mountain, with a mix of heritage homes and newer subdivisions.

The riding's Italian-Canadian community is one of the largest in the Hamilton area, and Italian cultural institutions and businesses have a visible presence in both the Hamilton West and Ancaster portions of the constituency. Immigration from China, the Middle East, and other regions has added to the riding's diversity in recent decades.

The riding's political history has seen it swing between the Liberals and Conservatives, with Tassi's three consecutive victories from 2015 onward marking a sustained Liberal hold. Key local issues include housing affordability, transit connectivity between the riding's suburban communities and Hamilton's urban core, healthcare access, and the preservation of green space along the Niagara Escarpment. The riding is home to portions of the Bruce Trail, and environmental stewardship—including the protection of local waterfalls and conservation lands—resonates with residents.