Ajax

Ajax is a federal electoral district in the Durham Region of Ontario, situated on the north shore of Lake Ontario roughly 30 kilometres east of downtown Toronto. A fast-growing commuter suburb within the eastern Greater Toronto Area, the town has a 2021 population of approximately 126,700 and is one of the most ethnically diverse communities in Durham Region, with significant South Asian, Caribbean, and African-Canadian populations. About half of Ajax residents commute outside Durham for work, many via GO Transit into Toronto. The riding was held by Liberal Mark Holland for six terms before he announced he would not seek re-election in 2025.

Candidates

Jennifer McKelvie (Liberal) is the newly elected MP for Ajax. An environmental geoscientist by training, McKelvie holds a PhD in geology from the University of Toronto, where she specialized in geochemistry and environmental remediation. Before entering politics, she spent nine years as a senior scientist at the Nuclear Waste Management Organization. McKelvie entered municipal politics in 2018 as Toronto city councillor for Ward 25, Scarborough--Rouge Park, and was named deputy mayor of Toronto in 2022, a role she held until resigning to run federally. She was the first president of the Scarborough Community Renewal Organization and a longtime volunteer with Friends of the Rouge.

Greg Brady (Conservative) is a veteran Canadian radio broadcaster with nearly three decades in media, best known for hosting Toronto Today on 640 Toronto. Born and raised in London, Ontario, Brady studied political science at the University of Western Ontario and built his career at stations including 980 CFPL, WDFN in Detroit, and Sportsnet 590 The Fan. A resident of Ajax since 2008, where he raised two sons, Brady announced in March 2025 that he was leaving broadcasting to seek the Conservative nomination in his home riding.

Kyle Forster (NDP) ran as the New Democratic Party candidate in Ajax.

Faisal Ali (Centrist) ran for the Centrist Party of Canada.

Leigh Paulseth (Green Party) stood as the Green candidate in the riding.

About the Riding

Ajax transformed rapidly over the past four decades from a small post-war community into one of Durham Region's most populated municipalities. Its proximity to Toronto, access to Highway 401, and GO Transit rail service make it a commuter hub, but the town also supports a local employment base in manufacturing, retail, and services. The riding's demographic profile is notably young and multicultural compared to other Durham communities.

Key issues in the 2025 campaign reflected those of many suburban 905-belt ridings. Housing affordability was a dominant concern as prices in the eastern GTA climbed steadily, squeezing both renters and first-time buyers. Traffic congestion along the 401 corridor and the reliability of public transit connections to Toronto remained perennial frustrations. The US tariff threat loomed over Durham Region's manufacturing sector, adding economic anxiety to the campaign. Health-care access, including the capacity of local hospitals to serve a growing population, also figured prominently in voters' concerns.