Know your riding — Canada Votes 2025: St. Catharines
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The Liberals have held the riding of St. Catharines since 2015.
Chris Bittle won that election, defeating the Conservative incumbent.
Bittle will run again this federal election against Conservative candidate Bas Sluijmers and NDP candidate Karen Orlandi.
The riding runs from Lake Ontario in the north to St. David's Road in the south, and Highway 406 and Twelve Mile Creek to the west and borders Niagara-on-the-Lake to the east.
CBC Hamilton sent a survey to major party candidates, or their party representatives. Their responses, edited for length and clarity, are reflected below.
Chris Bittle, Liberal
Bittle, 46, was a lawyer before running for office. He said he has been "a strong progressive advocate" for the city since he was elected in 2015.
"Canada is at a critical time, and we need experienced leadership to navigate what's to come — ensuring our workers and communities don't get left behind," he said in the survey.
Karen Orlandi, NDP
Orlandi, 58, is a minister at the United Church of Canada in St. Catharines.
She said in the survey, if elected, she will advocate for more infrastructure projects locally to keep people working, funding for affordable homes and rental units and capping the costs of "essential" groceries.
"We will work for voter reform so that you can vote for who you believe will stand up for the people of St. Catharines," she said. "I promise to listen to the constituents and amplify their voices in Ottawa."
Bas Sluijmers, Conservative
Sluijmers is an account manager at a local company in the Niagara region and a founding board member of Safe Families Niagara, says his campaign website. He did not respond to the survey.
After a decade of ineffective government policies that have left many families struggling with economic challenges and rising crime rates, he believes bold leadership is crucial for a secure and prosperous future," the website says.
"He prioritizes protecting individual liberties, ensuring economic stability, and upholding family values."
Dennis Wilson, People's Party
Dennis Wilson, 73, is a retired consultant with experience in systems management, finance and organizational strategy.
He's running in the federal election to bring "a new way of thinking and a new set of possible solutions," he said in the survey.
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