Milton

Milton is a federal riding in the Regional Municipality of Halton, located approximately 54 kilometres west of downtown Toronto along Highway 401. The riding comprises the Town of Milton and the part of Burlington north of Dundas Street and Highway 407. Milton's population surged to approximately 133,000 in the 2021 census, a growth rate of 20.7% since 2016—making it one of Canada's fastest-growing municipalities. Between 2001 and 2011, Milton was the single fastest-growing municipality in the country. The riding is diverse: Christianity is the largest religion at 48.4%, followed by Islam at 23.1% and Hinduism at 6.1%. English is the mother tongue of 55.6% of residents, with Urdu (9.4%), Arabic (4.0%), and Spanish (2.3%) also widely spoken. The town sits on the Niagara Escarpment, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve.

Candidates

Adam van Koeverden (Liberal) * — Van Koeverden is a four-time Olympic medallist in sprint kayak, including a gold medal in the K-1 500m at the 2004 Athens Olympics. He was twice named Canada's flag bearer and won the 2004 Lou Marsh Trophy as Canada's top athlete. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from McMaster University. Before entering politics, he worked as a managing consultant at Deloitte and as a broadcaster, writer, and producer with CBC Sports. He won the riding in 2019, defeating Conservative deputy leader Lisa Raitt.

Nadeem Akbar (Conservative) — Akbar is a corporate IT consultant with over 17 years of experience helping clients across the Greater Toronto Area with digital infrastructure, cybersecurity, and governance management. He has volunteered as a mentor for local youth and fundraised for Credit Valley and Trillium hospitals.

Muhammad Riaz Sahi (NDP) — Sahi is a lawyer who began his professional life as a teacher. He is 40 years old and campaigned on affordable housing, accessible education, and strengthened healthcare. The 2021 election was his first run for political office.

Shibli Haddad (PPC) — Haddad is a software developer who describes himself as an outdoorsman and DIY enthusiast. When the 2021 election was called and the riding lacked a PPC candidate, he contacted the party to put his name forward.

About the Riding

Milton's explosive growth has been the defining story of this riding for two decades. What was once a small agricultural town has transformed into a major suburban centre, driven by its location on Highway 401 and proximity to the GTA's employment markets. The GO Transit Milton line provides commuter rail service to downtown Toronto, and the town's accessibility has attracted waves of young families and newcomers. The riding's demographics have shifted dramatically, with large Muslim, Hindu, and Sikh communities establishing themselves alongside the town's older population.

The local economy is driven by distribution, advanced manufacturing, food production, and professional services. Highway 401 bisects the town, separating primarily industrial and rural areas to the north from residential and commercial development to the south. Major employers include distribution centres for national firms, Monaghan Mushrooms, Chudleigh's apple orchard and frozen desserts operation, and Woodbine Mohawk Park harness racing facility. The proposed CN Milton Logistics Hub—a major intermodal truck-rail terminal—was a significant point of contention, with the Town of Milton and Halton Region opposing the project over environmental and traffic concerns.

Federal issues in 2021 included infrastructure investment to match the town's growth, affordable housing in a market where prices were rising rapidly, transit expansion, and environmental conservation. Five Conservation Halton parks sit within the town, and the Niagara Escarpment's protected lands create a tension between development pressure and environmental stewardship. Milton's young, diverse, and fast-growing population makes it a riding where questions of growth management, family supports, and newcomer integration are central to political debate.