Ontario Votes 2025: Brantford-Brant
PC and NDP candidates will face off for 2nd election in a row
- Read all of CBC Hamilton's coverage of the Ontario election here.
The Brantford-Brant riding encompasses a large rural and urban region that the Progressive Conservatives have won in the last two provincial elections.
Over 140,000 people live in the riding, based on the 2021 census data.
The riding covers the City of Brantford and part of Brant County, which includes Paris, Burford, Oakland and well as Six Nations of the Grand River and New Credit Reserve.
PC candidate Will Bouma is the incumbent and he will run against NDP candidate Harvey Bischof for the second time. The two faced off in 2022, with Bouma beating Bischof by 7,455 votes. Karleigh Csordas represents the Greens while Ron Fox is the Liberal candidate.
CBC Hamilton sent a survey to major party candidates, or their party representatives. Their responses, edited for length and clarity, are reflected below.
Also running for MPP is Joshua Carron of the New Blue Party, Mike Clancy with the None of the Above Direct Democracy Party and James Carruthers for the Ontario Alliance.
Harvey Bischof, NDP
Bischof, 61, spent decades working in education including as a teacher and president of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation.
"The people of this riding deserve an MPP who is available, who will talk with them, and will raise their voices at Queen's Park," Bischof said. "Currently, that brand of representation is sadly lacking."
He said the riding needs a new hospital in Brantford, something the current government has made announcements about and supported planning for, but has not fully committed to.
Will Bouma, PC
Bouma, the incumbent candidate, did not respond to CBC Hamilton's survey.
His website says he was a city councillor in Brant County, elected in 2014, and a member of the board of health, Brant Waterways Foundation and a fire department volunteer.
Bouma said on his website, "I make you two promises: 1. Leave things better than I found them. 2. To treat others as I want to be treated."
Karleigh Csordas, Green
Karleigh Csordas, 29, is a customer service manager and small business owner, who has previously worked in health care.
"The Green Party has been leading on the issues that matter most — affordable housing, healthcare, small business support, and protecting our environment — and we've seen other parties follow our lead," Csordas said. "But real change requires someone who will push for bold solutions, not just settle for the status quo."
Like Bischof, Csordas said she would also be an MPP who "shows up" and doesn't "make promises during an election and disappear afterward."
Ron Fox, Liberal
A former business owner, Ron Fox, 45, said he's running to reign in how the provincial government is spending taxpayers' money. He pointed to costs associated with Ontario Place, the early expansion of alcohol sales to convenience stores and the early election call.
"We need a representative who will put our riding before their Party, and ensure the residents' voices are heard," Fox said.
The Liberals will prioritize spending to improve access to health care and family doctors and affordable housing, and lower taxes for the middle class, Fox said.
Also running
- Carron, New Blue Party: An entrepreneur in Brantford, who is committed to family, serving his community and fighting for freedom, according to his Facebook page.
- Clancy, None of the Above Direct Democracy Party: A paralegal whose website says he's running against the "corrupt establishment" for better health care, housing and social assistance.
- Carruthers, Ontario Alliance: Information about Carruthers's political campaign cannot be found online.
- Rob Ferguson, Ontario Libertarian Party: A Brantfrod resident, Ferguson's website says owns a marketing and advertising business, and values. human rights, freedoms and liberty.
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