London West

London West encompasses the northwestern portion of the City of London, Ontario. The riding is bounded by the city's western limit, Dingman Creek and Southdale Road to the south, Wharncliffe Road and Commissioners Road to the east, the Thames River, and Wonderland Road to the north. The riding has a population of approximately 114,000, making it the most populous of London's four federal ridings. Its neighbourhoods include the suburban communities of Byron, Westmount, Oakridge, and newer developments in the city's rapidly expanding southwest. London's overall population reached 422,324 in the 2021 census, having grown at the fastest rate in Ontario.

Candidates

Arielle Kayabaga (Liberal) * — Born in Bujumbura, Burundi, Kayabaga came to Canada at age 11 as a refugee from the Burundian Civil War. Her family lived briefly in Montreal before settling in London. She earned a bachelor's degree in political science from Carleton University in 2013 and worked as a settlement worker for newcomers. In 2018, she was elected to London City Council, becoming the first Black woman to serve on it.

Rob Flack (Conservative) — Flack graduated from the University of Guelph in 1979 and built a career in agribusiness with Masterfeeds Inc., a national company headquartered in London employing over 650 people. In 1993, he was appointed the youngest-ever President and CEO of the company. He served as Chair of the London International Airport and President and Chair of the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair.

Shawna Lewkowitz (NDP) — Lewkowitz is an educator and community organizer who teaches at King's University College and works as an equity and inclusion consultant. She served as president of the Urban League of London and founded Women and Politics, an advocacy group working to reduce barriers for women entering political life.

Mike McMullen (PPC) — Born in 1969 and raised in London, McMullen attended Fanshawe College and studied control system engineering technology. He joined the Canadian Armed Forces in 1987 and served in the primary reserves for ten years. He was the PPC candidate in the riding during the 2019 election as well.

About the Riding

London West is characterized by rapid suburban growth, with new residential developments pushing into former agricultural land on the city's western and southwestern edges. The riding straddles the economic divide between established middle-class neighbourhoods and newer subdivisions that demand expanded infrastructure and services. Major employers accessible to riding residents include London Health Sciences Centre, Western University, and General Dynamics Land Systems, which maintains a significant armoured vehicle manufacturing operation employing approximately 2,400 people in London.

The riding includes portions of London's commercial and retail corridors along Wonderland Road and Oxford Street, as well as industrial areas. London's agri-food sector, with over 90 companies and 7,000 employees citywide, has particular relevance to the western portions of the riding adjacent to agricultural land in Middlesex County.

The 2021 election in London West was notable as an open seat, with incumbent Liberal MP Kate Young not seeking re-election. Federal issues included affordable housing in a city experiencing rapid population growth, pandemic recovery for small businesses, the opioid crisis that had hit London particularly hard, and infrastructure investment to keep pace with suburban expansion. The riding's competitive three-way dynamics between Liberal, Conservative, and NDP candidates reflected London West's position as a bellwether within the city.