Niagara West

Niagara West is one of the most reliably Conservative ridings in southern Ontario, and eight-term incumbent Dean Allison reinforced that reputation in 2025 with another solid victory. Stretching from the Lake Ontario shore near Grimsby to the Lake Erie shoreline at Wainfleet, the riding covers a swath of the Niagara Peninsula that blends fruit-farming country, wine-producing benchlands, and small-town communities. Allison has represented the area since 2004, making him one of the longest-serving members of the Conservative caucus.

Candidates

Dean Allison (Conservative) -- Born in London, Ontario, Allison holds an economics degree from Wilfrid Laurier University. After graduation, he established himself in the Niagara area through business ventures and work with a major franchise organization. He also owns a private equity firm that assists small businesses and startups. Active in community organizations, Allison has served as president of the West Lincoln Memorial Hospital Foundation, president of the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce, and as a board member of Junior Achievement in Niagara. First elected in 2004 for the riding then known as Niagara West--Glanbrook, he has won every election since.

Jennifer Korstanje (Liberal) -- A Grimsby town councillor and mother of two, Korstanje is known for her volunteer work with organizations such as the West Niagara Special Olympics. She has advocated on housing issues, including rental concerns and evictions, and was acclaimed as the Liberal candidate for Niagara West.

Justin Abando (NDP) -- Abando ran as the NDP candidate in the riding. He maintained a low public profile during the campaign and did not attend the televised all-candidates debate.

Dave Bylsma (Christian Heritage Party) -- A veteran candidate running his ninth campaign for the Christian Heritage Party, Bylsma is the national deputy leader of the CHP. A father of nine and grandfather of nine, he is a business owner and former mayor of West Lincoln, serving from 2018 to 2022.

Ryan Anderson (People's Party - PPC) -- Anderson carried the People's Party banner in the riding, promoting smaller government and individual liberty.

About the Riding

Niagara West encompasses the towns of Grimsby, Lincoln, and Pelham, the townships of West Lincoln and Wainfleet, and the western portion of St. Catharines. The riding spans from Lake Ontario's shore southward across the Niagara Escarpment and through the agricultural flatlands to Lake Erie. The Beamsville Bench and Twenty Valley are among Ontario's premier wine-producing regions, and the riding's orchards and vineyards give it a distinctly rural character despite the suburban growth occurring in communities like Grimsby, which increasingly functions as a bedroom community for Hamilton.

The Niagara Escarpment, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, runs through the riding and is a defining geographic and environmental feature. The Bruce Trail, Canada's oldest and longest marked hiking trail, follows the escarpment through the area, drawing outdoor enthusiasts and contributing to the local tourism economy.

Allison's longevity in the riding reflects both his personal popularity and the area's enduring conservative orientation. While his margin of victory in 2025 was narrower than in some past elections -- Liberal challenger Korstanje ran an energetic campaign that closed the gap -- the riding remained firmly in Conservative hands. Local issues included the pace of residential development in Grimsby and Lincoln, protection of agricultural land from suburban sprawl, and infrastructure investments to support a growing population.