Avalon

Avalon is a federal electoral district on the Avalon Peninsula of Newfoundland, stretching across a broad swath of communities south and west of St. John's. The riding encompasses the fast-growing suburban towns of Conception Bay South and Paradise, as well as smaller communities such as Bay Roberts, Holyrood, Ferryland, Placentia, Witless Bay, and Bay Bulls. Following the 2022 redistribution, the riding gained the full Town of Paradise (previously split with St. John's East) and added Witless Bay and Bay Bulls from the former St. John's South—Mount Pearl, while ceding some territory to the renamed Terra Nova—The Peninsulas.

The Avalon Peninsula is the most densely populated region of the province, and the riding reflects a mix of suburban bedroom communities, rural outports, and small agricultural operations. Conception Bay South, the largest municipality in the riding, has seen steady population growth as families seek more affordable housing within commuting distance of the capital.

Candidates

Paul Connors (Liberal) served as executive assistant to outgoing Avalon MP Ken McDonald and previously worked as executive director of the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Agriculture. A two-term town councillor in Conception Bay South, Connors campaigned heavily on food sovereignty and local agriculture, warning that U.S. tariffs and disruptions to supply management could threaten the island's food supply.

Steve Kent (Conservative) is a former Progressive Conservative MHA for Mount Pearl North who served as Deputy Premier and Minister of Health and Community Services in the provincial government. He later became Chief Administrative Officer of the City of Mount Pearl. Kent was appointed as the Conservative candidate for Avalon, a decision that drew criticism from other nomination contenders who felt the process was unfair.

Judy Vanta (NDP) is a longtime NDP supporter and party organizer who ran on a platform focused on affordability and workers' rights, seeking to represent everyday Newfoundlanders and Labradorians in Ottawa.

Alexander Tilley (Parti Rhinocéros Party) ran as the Rhinoceros Party candidate in the riding.

About the Riding

Avalon stretches from the southern shore communities of Ferryland and Bay Bulls around the tip of the peninsula and up through the historic towns along Conception Bay. The landscape varies from rugged coastal cliffs and sheltered harbours to rolling farmland in the interior. The Irish Loop, a scenic driving route along the southern shore, draws tourists to lighthouses, seabird colonies, and whale-watching sites.

The economy of the riding is diverse. Conception Bay South and Paradise function largely as commuter towns for workers in St. John's and the offshore oil industry, while more rural parts of the riding depend on fishing, aquaculture, and small-scale agriculture. The Avalon Peninsula hosts a significant portion of the province's farming activity, including dairy, poultry, and vegetable operations, and the potential impact of U.S. tariffs on supply-managed sectors was a prominent concern during the campaign.

Affordability and housing were central issues across the riding in 2025. Rapid suburban growth in Paradise and Conception Bay South has strained municipal infrastructure and driven up housing costs, while more remote communities along the southern shore face challenges with healthcare access and out-migration of younger residents. The broader question of Canadian sovereignty in the face of aggressive U.S. trade policy also resonated strongly with voters on the doorstep.