Burlington North—Milton West

Burlington North—Milton West is a new federal riding created under the 2022 redistribution, combining the northern portions of Burlington above the QEW with the western sections of the rapidly growing town of Milton. The riding stretches from the Niagara Escarpment's wooded ridgeline and the rural lands north of Burlington's Parkway Belt to the suburban subdivisions spreading westward from Milton's urban core. The area has experienced significant population growth over the past decade, driven by new housing developments in Milton that have attracted young families seeking more affordable alternatives to the inner GTA. The riding is a classic 905 swing seat where suburban commuters, many of whom travel the Highway 407 and Highway 401 corridors to jobs in Toronto, Mississauga, and Hamilton, determine the political outcome.

Candidates

Adam van Koeverden (Liberal) is a four-time Olympic medallist in sprint kayaking who won gold and bronze at the 2004 Athens Olympics, silver in 2008 and 2012, and served as Canada's flag bearer. A McMaster University graduate in kinesiology, van Koeverden entered politics in 2019 and represented the former Milton riding before transitioning to the new Burlington North—Milton West seat. He served as Parliamentary Secretary for multiple portfolios including Sport and Physical Activity.

Nadeem Akbar (Conservative) is a technology consultant with nearly three decades of experience in IT infrastructure and cybersecurity, having previously worked with IBM. A Burlington resident, Akbar is a founding member of People Care and helped launch the Milton Hospital Walkathon. He also ran as the Conservative candidate in the Milton riding in the 2021 election and is active in the Ontario Senior Federation.

Naveed Ahmed (NDP) is an entrepreneur and school board trustee elected to the Halton District School Board in 2022. He is a co-founder of Milton Youth-Leadership Mentoring, where he has taught free leadership courses to community youth since 2006, and a founding member of the Islamic Community Center of Milton.

Charles Zach (People's Party) ran on the PPC platform.

About the Riding

Burlington North—Milton West is defined by the suburban growth that has reshaped the western GTA over the past two decades. Milton, once a small town at the foot of the Escarpment, has become one of Canada's fastest-growing communities, with waves of new residential construction drawing immigrants and young families from across the Greater Toronto Area. The Burlington portion of the riding is more established, with older neighbourhoods, conservation lands, and agricultural properties north of the urban core.

Transportation infrastructure is a defining concern. Many residents face long commutes on congested highways, and the adequacy of GO Transit rail service to and from Milton has been a recurring issue. The proposed Highway 413 corridor, which would cut through parts of the broader region, generated strong opinions both for and against among local voters. Healthcare access has also been strained by population growth, with Milton District Hospital and local clinics struggling to keep pace with demand.

The 2025 race was one of the most closely watched in the 905 region. The Hill Times described it as a classic 905 swing riding where both the Conservative and Liberal campaigns invested heavily in ground operations. Van Koeverden's Olympic celebrity and incumbency record were pitted against Akbar's appeal to voters frustrated with the cost of living and seeking a change in government. The contest was tight, with van Koeverden ultimately holding the seat by a narrow margin in a riding that could easily swing in the next election.