Keasha Maile, FEO, March 6, 2025, VOL. 6 ISSUE 13

Wayne Gates has once again been re-elected as the Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) for the Niagara Falls riding, which includes Fort Erie and Niagara-on-the-Lake. Representing the Ontario New Democratic Party (NDP), Gates secured nearly 55% of the vote, receiving 25,549 ballots from local constituents.

His closest competitor, Progressive Conservative (PC) candidate Ruth Ann Nieuwesteeg, a Niagara Falls city councillor, finished with 35% of the vote. Liberal candidate Shafoli Kapur placed third, receiving just over 6% of the vote. Other candidates in the race included Gary Dumelie from the New Blue Party, Green Party candidate Celia Taylor, Andrew Soifert from the Ontario Party, and independent candidate Joedy Burdett.

Gates was first elected as MPP in a 2014 by-election and has retained his seat in every subsequent election, including this snap vote called by Ontario Premier and PC leader Doug Ford. Despite Gates’ victory in the riding, the PCs maintained their majority government, winning 80 seats across the province. The NDP secured 27 seats, while the Liberals won 14. The Green Party retained two seats, and one independent candidate was elected.

Following his victory, Gates took to social media less than 30 minutes after polls closed, sharing a photo of himself and expressing gratitude to his supporters with the caption, “Thank you, Niagara!”

With another four years ahead, Gates is set to continue advocating for his riding at Queen’s Park, focusing on issues important to the people of Niagara Falls, Fort Erie, and Niagara-on-the-Lake.