Two of three main parties have local candidates in provincial election

Two of the three main political parties in Ontario have local candidates lined up for next month’s provincial election.

Wayne Gates will seek re-election for the NDP and has been the Niagara Falls riding’s representative since 2014 after he won a byelection brought on by the resignation of Liberal Kim Craitor.

Gates announced his candidacy in December and has said in a news release that he plans to fight for Fort Erie on health care, education and housing.

“Together, we’ve fought for health care that our community can rely on, homes you can afford, smaller classrooms, and a better life for the people of Niagara,” he said in the release.

Gates is seeking his fourth election win when voters head to the polls on February 27.

He says the early election called by Premier Doug Ford is expensive and unnecessary, and that the government should be focused on reacting to tariff threats being made by U.S. president Donald Trump.

“We could be working together to handle this serious threat, but Ford instead is choosing to put himself first while we face serious crises in the province of Ontario,” said Gates.

“The reality is, Doug Ford is calling this election, which will cost almost $200 million of taxpayer dollars, for his own benefit,” he added.

Prior to being elected as MPP, Gates was a city councillor in Niagara Falls.

His biggest competitor so far, Ruth Ann Nieuwesteeg, a current city councillor in Niagara Falls, will be representing the Progressive Conservatives.

In a statement to Fort Erie Radio, she said she’s “honoured and humbled” to be the Progressive Conservative candidate for Niagara Falls under the leadership of Premier Doug Ford.

Nieuwesteeg is a long-time resident of Niagara Falls. Her family owns Patterson Funeral Home.

She is “committed to championing the interests” of Fort Erie, Niagara-on-the-Lake, and Niagara Falls, the communities the Niagara Falls riding consists of.

Under Premier Ford’s leadership, Niagara has seen “unprecedented investments,” said Nieuwesteeg.

These include the transformative $3.6 billion South Niagara Hospital project, the crucial $177 million Wine Sector Support Program benefiting local vintners, and the ongoing initiative to bring high-speed internet to our rural communities.

“These investments demonstrate the PC government’s dedication to strengthening Ontario’s future,” she said.

“As a border community, we face unique challenges and opportunities,” she added. “We must protect Ontario so that we can build a more prosperous and resilient Niagara.”

The Liberal party, as of Wednesday at about 2 p.m., did not have a candidate confirmed by Ken Gansel, president of the Niagara Falls riding association.

According to Elections Ontario, Gary Dumelie is the candidate for the New Blue party.

Contact information on the Green Party’s Niagara Falls riding association website is listed as Dusan Kubias, who told Fort Erie Radio they are the former president of the riding association and were unaware if there is a local candidate yet.

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