TOURISM RECOVERY, HEALTH CARE AMONG ELECTION ISSUES FOR NIAGARA FALLS RIDING

Candidates vying to win the Niagara Falls riding in the provincial election on June 2 will feel the pain at the pump more than most of us, because they'll be piling on a lot of miles on their cars and blowing through endless tanks of gas in the weeks to come.

THE RIDING:

While it pales in comparison to the geographic size of the sparsely populated Niagara West riding, which devours 1,122 square kilometres of space, Niagara Falls riding—which includes Niagara Falls, Niagara-on-the-Lake and Fort Erie—still covers 680 square kilometres and has a population of 136,290, according to Statistics Canada.

Trying to campaign in such a large riding creates challenges compared to much more densely population ridings such as Toronto-St. Paul's (just 13 square kilometres) and Toronto-Danforth (29 square kilometres) or even St. Catharines riding at 84 square kilometres.

The riding doesn't just have geographic challenges: candidates also have to deal with the different demographics among the municipalities.

Statistics from the last census show there are more older adults in Niagara-on-the-Lake, with the median age 55 according to Statistics Canada. It's also the most affluent part of the riding, with an aftertax median income of $85,248 and a higher proportion of people with postsecondary education.

Niagara Falls has seen a population boom in recent years, particularly with the vast Empire homes community built in the south end and a sea of serviced lots ready for new homes hugging McLeod Road.

Statistics from the region show it has a very large percentage of its workforce working in the sales and service sectors, and that the after-tax median family income is $67,298.

Fort Erie was hard hit by the closure of the Canada-U.S. land border for two years. Regional statistics show that one in four families spend 30 per cent or more of their income on shelter costs. Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation defines housing as affordable when households spend less than 30 per cent of before-tax income on shelter.

THE RACE:

Incumbent New Democrat

incumbent Wayne Gates is facing off against Progressive Conservative Bob Gale, Liberal Ashley Waters, New Blue Christine Lewis-Napolitano, None of the Above Direct Democratic Party's Devon St. Denis-Richard, Ontario Party's Wesley Kavanagh and the Green Party's Tommy Ward.

THE ISSUES:

Pandemic recovery will be a big issue in the riding that spent the better part of two years in lockdowns and stay-at-home orders, and which saw its crucial tourism industry that normally employs some 40,00 people in Niagara implode with the typical millions of visitors each year disappearing and the international border closed for two years. The Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce said in response to the recent provincial budget that it will take "years" for the tourism and hospitality sector to return to pre-pandemic levels.

Health care will also be front and centre, with a major fundraising campaign underway with a goal of raising $212 million toward the new south Niagara hospital planned to be built in south Niagara Falls at a cost expected to be north of $1 billion.

Health care will also be important in Fort Erie, where residents were rattled when Niagara Health temporarily closed its urgent care centre due to staffing shortages at its hospitals related to COVID-19.

The ongoing shortage of family doctors will remain an issue for the entire riding, particularly in Niagara-on-the-Lake with its larger population of older adults.

The housing crisis that's pushed home prices beyond the reach of many is also something candidates can expect to hear a lot about while knocking on doors.

BACKGROUND:

The riding was Liberal red for three terms under former MPP Kim Craitor. But Gates won it for the NDP in a byelection in February of 2014 after Craitor resigned, then won again in a general election four months later and was reelected in 2018.