The St. Catharines riding is surrounded on three sides by the Niagara Region with Lake Ontario to the north and includes most of the city.
With a population of 111,690, the riding has been held by the NDP’s Jennie Stevens since 2018, when she became the first woman to ever hold the seat. She is running again this provincial election.
One of the candidates she is up against, PC candidate Sal Sorrento, came in second place in 2022.
CBC Hamilton sent a survey to major party candidates, or their party representatives. None of the candidates provided a response.
Also running for MPP is Rob Atalick for the New Blue Party, J. Justin O’Donnell with Ontario Alliance, Liz Leeuwenburg for the Ontario Party and Natalia Benoit with Stop the New Sex-Ed Agenda.
Robin McPherson, Liberal
Robin McPherson’s campaign website says she’s St. Catharines first 2SLGBTQ+ councillor.
She and her partner co-founded a digital communications company and live in the city’s downtown.
McPherson has sat on a number of local community boards and committees and created community projects like a priceless art auction, social media club and walking wayfinder.
Sal Sorrento, PC
Sorrento’s campaign website says he has dedicated his life to serving residents as an outreach worker and volunteer and is a two-term city councillor.
“During his time on council, Sal has been an assertive community advocate for seniors, affordable housing, mental health and is known for his relentless pursuit of improving long-term care,” his profile says.
He’s participated in his church’s out of the cold program, providing indoor space for people experiencing homelessness, as well as many festivals and on the board of the Niagara Multicultural Centre.
Jennie Stevens, NDP
Before being elected as MPP, Stevens was a city councillor and a health-care worker and seniors’ advocate, says her campaign website.
At Queen’s Park she’s “championed” policies to help veterans through proposing the expansion of the Soldiers Aid Commission. She’s also advocated for barrier-free, universal contraception access.
“Our community is home to incredibly hard working people who deserve a government that’s focused on keeping our emergency rooms open, building affordable homes, fixing our schools and taking care of our seniors,” said Stevens in a news release.
Stephen Vincelette-Smith, Green
Stephen Vincelette-Smith is running to address food insecurity, housing affordability, social justice and environmental concerns, says his campaign website. If he’s elected, he will take a “grassroots approach,” assisting local organizations, for example.
“At the core of his political philosophy is a desire to help the ‘little guy’ of society – that is, the large majority of us Canadians who are not independently wealthy and suffer from the greedy actions of callous corporations who exploit Canadians for their own gain,” his website says.
Also running
- Atalick, New Blue Party: An entrepreneur in the Niagara Region, he wants to ban lobbyists from Queen’s Park, bring back rent control and help small landlords protect their property.
- Benoit, Stop the New Sex-Ed Agenda: A trustee with the Niagara Catholic District School Board, Benoit’s campaign website says she’s a “parental rights candidate.”
- Leeuwenburg, Ontario Party: With experience in banking and education, she says she stands for “freedom, family and faith.”
- O’Donnell, Ontario Alliance: A paralegal and law librarian who runs a politics show, says his LinkedIn.