Davenport

Davenport, a diverse west-end Toronto riding that includes Little Portugal, Brockton Village, Bloordale, Dufferin Grove, and the Junction Triangle, served as the home base of NDP Leader Marit Stiles heading into the 2025 election. Stiles had represented the riding since 2018 and was confirmed as leader of the Ontario NDP in February 2023, succeeding Andrea Horwath. The 2025 campaign was her first general election as party leader, and she sought re-election locally while leading a province-wide campaign focused on healthcare, housing, and affordability. The riding’s traditionally strong NDP support, built on its working-class roots and engaged tenant and labour communities, made it one of the party’s safest seats.

Candidates

Marit Stiles (NDP) — Stiles was born in St. John’s, Newfoundland, and moved to Ontario to attend Carleton University, where she earned a degree in political science. She worked as a researcher for the federal NDP caucus and later as director of research, public policy, and communications at the Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists. She was elected as a Toronto District School Board trustee in 2014 and served as president of the federal NDP from 2016 to 2018 before winning election to the legislature. She was the party’s education critic in her first term and became leader in February 2023.

Paulo Pereira (Liberal) — Pereira was born and raised in Davenport and holds a master’s degree in finance. He works as an accountant and is involved with the Associação Cultural do Minho, a Portuguese community centre in Toronto. He was appointed as the Liberal candidate during the snap election campaign.

Nick Pavlov (Progressive Conservative) — Pavlov is a real estate broker with over twenty years of experience in real estate and mortgage lending. He holds degrees in political science and law and was acclaimed as the PC candidate.

Randi Ramdeen (Green Party) and Dave McKee (Communist) also ran in the riding.

Local Issues

Housing affordability and tenant displacement continued to be the central concerns in Davenport during the 2022 to 2025 term. The riding’s older working-class neighbourhoods experienced ongoing gentrification pressure, with condominium developments and rising rents transforming formerly affordable streets. Many residents lived in aging rental buildings and faced above-guideline rent increases, fuelling tenant organizing and demands for stronger provincial protections. The Ford government’s removal of rent control on units first occupied after November 2018 remained a point of contention in a riding with a large renter population.

Cost-of-living pressures beyond housing also weighed heavily on residents. Many workers in Davenport were employed in the service sector, the gig economy, and small businesses, and reported difficulty keeping pace with rising grocery and transportation costs. Community food banks in the riding saw increased demand throughout the term.

Transit infrastructure was also a significant issue. Residents called for improved bus frequency and better cycling connections along corridors such as Dupont Street and Bloor Street West. The progress of the Eglinton Crosstown LRT, long delayed and still incomplete as of the election, represented broader frustration with provincial transit delivery in the city.