Perth--Wellington

Perth--Wellington is a southwestern Ontario riding encompassing Perth County, including the city of Stratford and the town of St. Marys, along with the northern portion of Wellington County including the town of Minto and the townships of Mapleton and Wellington North. The riding stretches from St. Marys in the south to Mount Forest, Harriston, and Clifford in the north, covering a landscape dominated by agriculture--particularly dairy farming, hog production, and cash crops--interspersed with small towns that serve as commercial and cultural centres for the surrounding farmland.

Candidates

John Nater (Conservative)* was first elected in 2015 and won his fourth consecutive term in 2025. Raised on a family pig farm in Logan Township in West Perth, he studied public affairs and policy management at Carleton University and earned a Master of Public Administration from Queen's University. Before entering federal politics, he worked as a policy analyst at the Treasury Board of Canada, a grievance analyst with the Correctional Service of Canada, and a lecturer in political science at King's University College. He also served on West Perth municipal council and worked as a staffer for both MP Gary Schellenberger and MPP Randy Pettapiece.

David Mackey (Liberal) is a Stratford resident with a background in high-tech management and digital transformation. Originally from Port Perry, he serves on the board of the Canadian Internet Registration Authority and is active on the Stratford Public Library Board and the Ontario Library Service Board. His campaign emphasized digital infrastructure, youth mental health, and rural economic development.

Kevin Kruchkywich (NDP) is a Stratford-based actor and improviser with nearly 30 years of performance experience across Canada who has also worked as a general contractor in the city for the past decade. He previously ran for the NDP in Perth--Wellington in the 2021 federal election.

Wayne Baker (People's Party) represented the People's Party of Canada in the contest.

About the Riding

Perth--Wellington is a deeply agricultural riding where farming is not merely an industry but a way of life. Perth County is one of Ontario's most productive agricultural regions, with dairy operations, hog and poultry farms, and cash crop production forming the economic backbone of most rural communities. The riding's northern reaches in Wellington County share this agricultural character, with beef cattle and mixed farming predominating around Harriston, Clifford, and Mount Forest.

Stratford, the riding's largest community with a population of roughly 33,000, is internationally known for the Stratford Festival, a world-class theatre event that runs from spring through fall and generates significant tourism revenue. The festival has helped cultivate a hospitality and cultural sector that provides employment and draws visitors from across North America. St. Marys, Listowel, and Palmerston are smaller centres that serve as agricultural service towns and local commercial hubs.

In 2025, US trade tensions were a pressing concern in a riding where agricultural exports--particularly pork, dairy products, and grain--depend heavily on American markets. The threat of tariffs on Canadian goods created anxiety among producers already contending with rising input costs for fuel, fertilizer, and equipment. Manufacturing employment in food processing, auto parts, and small-scale industry added another layer of trade exposure. Healthcare access in rural areas, the shortage of family physicians in small towns, and the challenge of retaining young people in farming communities were persistent themes throughout the campaign.