Here are the candidates running in the federal election in southwestern Ontario

An undated photo of an Elections Canada sign directing voters where to go to vote. (File)

It’s federal election season, and across the southwestern Ontario region, there are seven ridings we’re following.

Bruce - Grey - Owen Sound

This riding has been represented in the House of Commons since 1935. While producing many close results in its early years, it’s had a Conservative stronghold for the past two decades. It has a population of about 106,475, with 81,389 electors over a large area – 6,447 square kilometres.

* asterisk indicates incumbent

Alex Ruff - Conservative

• First elected as representative for Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound in 2019 following the retirement of Larry Miller
• Retired CAF Colonel with 25 years of service under his belt, graduated from Royal Military College of Canada in 1997 with an honours degree in space science
• Grew up on a farm outside of Tara, Ont.

Anne Marie Watson - Liberal

• Raised in Montreal, Reid-Watson moved to Ontario at the age of 16
• Had a long career in the not-for-profit sector with 30 years of experience in various roles including as executive director of the Durham Hospital Foundation
• Goal of bringing affordable housing and accessible healthcare to the area

Chris Neudorf - NDP

• Born in Mississauga, Neudorf moved to St. Catharines in 2009 to complete his Bachelor’s of History (Honors) and Bachelor’s of Education (Honors) at Brock University
• He moved to South Bruce Peninsula in 2016
• Worked for the Owen Sound branch of the Canadian National Institute for the Blind, working with special needs children in the Grey-Bruce region
• Hired as a teacher for the Bluewater District School Board in 2017

Natasha Akiwenzie - Green

• A member of Obizhigokaang living at Neyaashiinigmiing with her husband and three sons
• Manager for the not-for-profit organization Bagida’waad Alliance and executive director of Gidakiinan Land Trust

Pavel Smolko - People’s Party of Canada

• Born in Slovakia during the communist era, immigrated to Canada after 1989
• Holds an electrical engineering degree from Slovak Technical University

Ann Gillies - Independent

A description of Ann Gillies is unavailable at this time.

Chatham-Kent - Leamington

Formerly portioned into the ridings of Chatham-Kent-Essex and Lambton-Kent-Middlesex, this riding of Chatham-Kent-Leamington was redistributed in 2012. It has a long history of Conservative leadership. It covers about 2,183 square kilometres and is home to a population of 109,619, including 78,803 electors.

* asterisk indicates incumbent

Dave Epp - Conservative

• First elected in 2019
• Background in business and a former member Canadian Foodgrains Bank, Leamington Municipal Committee of Adjustment, Agricultural Commodity Council
• A former single-engine pilot and has a post-secondary degree from CMU

Keith Pickard - Liberal

• Born in Chatham
• History in business, formed the Jakait Group in 2005, went on to establish Eclipse Packaging in the Leamington and Kingsville areas

Seamus Fleming - NDP

• A 22-year-old Master’s student researching rural areas and farmers in politics at the University of Ottawa
• A research intern in Parliament’s health committee, researching topics such as breast cancer legislation, dental care and pharmacare

James Plunkett - Green

• A 41-year-old AZ truck driver
• As called Bothwell home for about 10 years
• Identifies as a person with a disability, and believes he can be the voice of those that don’t get a voice in the House of Commons

Trevor Lee – People’s Party of Canada

• Born and raised in Winnipeg, he has called southern Ontario home since 2000
• Has a background in operations management and billing
• Platform emphasizes lower taxes, smaller government, and putting Canada first

Haldimand - Norfolk

Encompassing Haldimand and Norfolk counties, except for parts of the Six Nations, this riding covers 3,061 square kilometres, has a population of 108,051, with 81,773 electors. It has been Tory Blue since 2004.

* asterisk indicates incumbent

Leslyn Lewis - Conservative

• A lawyer who was first elected to Parliament in 2021
• graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Toronto, olds a Master of Environmental Studies from York University, and a Juris Doctor and PhD in international law from Osgoode Hall Law School

Colin Walsh - Liberal

• Grade 7/8 French immersion teacher
• Longtime OECTA representative and school sports coach
• holds a Bachelor of Arts from Wilfrid Laurier University and a Bachelor of Education from Brock University
• Wants to improve rural healthcare, support agriculture, create affordable housing

Nate Hawkins - Green

• Born in Brantford, but has lived in different places including Toronto, the Bahamas, England, and Waterloo
• Running a ‘$0 campaign’ to save on waste
• Has experience as a filmmaker and a producer

Henry Geissler - People’s Party of Canada

• Personal values include “freedom, personal responsibility, respect, and fairness”
• Geissler says he is “committed to making a difference”

Huron - Bruce

Huron Bruce is about as Conservative a stronghold as you can find anywhere in Ontario. Outside of 1993 to 2008 when Paul Steckle held this rural riding for the Liberals, Huron- Bruce has sent Conservative MPs to Ottawa. It has a population of 104,842 with 79,533 electors over 5,896 square kilometres. Huron-Bruce has historically had some of the highest voter turnout federally, hovering around 70 per cent over the past several elections

* asterisk indicates incumbent

Ben Lobb - Conservative

• First elected in 2008 and is seeking a record setting sixth term as the riding’s federal representative
• Serves as Shadow Minister for Digital Government
• Previously worked in the Finance Department for Desire2Lean (D2L) and Wescast Industries
• Holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee

James Rice - Liberal

• Born and raised in Kincardine
• Attended the University of Guelph where he served as the Undergraduate Governor and graduated with an Honours degree in Criminal Justice and Public Policy
• Assistant Crown attorney for Grey County
• Served locally as a director and volunteer for Bruce Grey Child and Family Services as well as a member of a local Rotary club

Melanie Burrett - NDP

• A first-time candidate and school librarian by day
• Housing costs and overall affordability are two main issues that she’d like to address
• Volunteered with her local union for a few years and volunteered for almost 20 years for the NDP

Greg McLean - Green

• A municipal councillor in Brockton and retired administrator having worked in both Bruce and Huron Counties
• Committed to advocating for policies that support local farmers, small businesses, and families

Oxford

Consisting of the County of Oxford, as well as a small area of Brant County, it has a long history of primarily Conservative leadership, with small breaks of Liberal MPs. The riding covers 2,384 square kilometres and has 83,003 electors out of a population of 108,656.

* asterisk indicates incumbent

Arpan Khana - Conservative

• Lives in East Zorra-Tavistock
• A member of the Oxford Fish and Game Club and volunteer with Global Medic
• Prior to being elected he was a practicing lawyer and small business owner

David Hilderley - Liberal

• Retired teacher, principal, and real estate agent
• Served as chair of the Golden Gala, co-chair of the South Gate Centre, and previous board member of the Woodstock Art Gallery
• Lives in his home community of Woodstock

Matthew Chambers - NDP

• Volunteer at Stich Supper Club in Ingersoll and is also a member of the Zorra Caledonian Society and Royal Canadian Legion Branch 119
• Holds a third-degree black belt in karate and teaches in Thamesford
• Works as a Custodian for Thames Valley District School Board and is a proud member of CUPE 4222

Cheryle Baker - Green

• Identifies as an Indigenous Hungarian Canadian
• Background in law with experience in automotive and aerospace industries

Jacob Watson - Christian Heritage Party

A description of Jacob Watson is unavailable at this time.

Perth - Wellington

This riding has been represented in the House of Commons since 2004. Since then, it has only been represented by Conservative MPs. It covers Perth County, including Stratford and St. Marys, the Town of Minto, and the Townships of Mapleton and Wellington North in the County of Wellington.

* asterisk indicates incumbent

John Nater - Conservative

• Raised in North Perth
• Served on West Perth Municipal Council from 2010 to 2014, representing the Mitchell Ward
• Previously worked as a lecturer at King’s University College
• First elected in 2015

David Mackey - Liberal

• Work experience in high-tech management
• Now retired, Mackey serves on the Stratford Public Library Board, the Ontario Library Service Board, and the Ontario Library Board Association

Kevin Kruchkywich - NDP

• An actor with previous experience at the Stratford Festival
• Raised in Alberta, moved to Stratford over a decade ago
• Also works as a general contractor

Wayne Baker - People’s Party of Canada

• Raised on a dairy farm in Flesherton, now resides in Arthur
• Background in real estate and is currently a self-employed small business owner

Sarnia - Lambton - Bkejwanong

Previously known as the Sarnia-Lambton riding, a 2022 redistribution saw Bkejwanong be added to it. While it saw many Liberal MPs represent the riding in the past, it’s been Conservative blue since 2006.

* asterisk indicates incumbent

Marilyn Gladu - Conservative

• First elected in 2015
• A professional engineer of 32 years
• Previously held roles such as Chair of Status of Women, the Science Critic, Shadow Health Minister, Associate Shadow Minister of International Trade, Shadow Minister of Civil Liberties

George Vandenberg - Liberal

• Serves as a Sarnia City Councillor, first elected in 2018
• Member of Sarnia Police Services Board
• A retired city police officer

Lo-Anne Chan - NDP

• Has lived in Sarnia since 2012
• Graduated from the University of Western Ontario with a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology, minoring in Psychology and a certificate in practical French
• Launched The LOEY Project in 2014 to bring attention to and celebrate youth leaders from Aamjiwnaang First Nation

Brian Everaert - People’s Party of Canada

• A founding member of the People’s Party of Canada
• Has nearly 30 years of experience as an iron worker in the construction industry

Jacques Boudreau - Libertarian

• Elected leader of the Libertarian Party of Canada in August 2021
• A semi-retired actuary after a 38-year career in the life insurance industry