# Jennie Stevens

Jennifer Stevens is a Canadian politician, who was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario in the 2018 provincial election. She represents the riding of St. Catharines as a member of the Ontario New Democratic Party. Prior to her election in the legislature, she was a city councillor for 15 years for St. Catharines City Council.

## Background

Stevens has a background in the not-for profit sector, serving on the board of the Niagara Folk Arts Multicultural Centre. She also served on the Merritton Athletic Association.

## Political career

Stevens' political career began in municipal politics. She served as city councillor for 15 years, for St. Catharines City Council, representing Merritton Ward (Ward 1), located in the city's southeast. Stevens' first foray into provincial politics was in the 2014 Ontario general election, where she was unsuccessful against Liberal incumbent Jim Bradley. In the 2018 Ontario general election, Stevens defeated Bradley, becoming the first woman to represent St. Catharines in the legislature.
In April 2021, Stevens introduced a private member's bill titled Bill 274, Intimate Partner Violence Disclosure Act. The bill was based on Clare's Law, and sought to provide additional protections for individuals at-risk of domestic violence. Bill 274 was defeated in a vote the same month; after the Progressive Conservatives voted against it.
Stevens was re-elected in the 2022 Ontario general election, defeating Progressive Conservative candidate and St. Catharines city councillor Sal Sorrento.
As of August 11, 2024, she serves as the Official Opposition critic for Sports, Tourism, and for Veterans, Legions, and Military Affairs.
In October 2024, Stevens introduced a bill known as Bill 213, Affordable Home Heating Act. The bill proposed creating a Heating Support Program to assist low-income seniors and families with the costs of heating their homes during the winter. On December 9th, the bill was defeated.
In 2024, she advocated for increased supports for homeless veterans. Stevens stated that the number of homeless veterans was growing, and that they were having difficulties accessing government assistance.

## Electoral record

vte2025 Ontario general election: St. Catharines :
| The 2025 general election will be held on February 27. |||||||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | Expenditures |
| | New Blue | Rob Atalick | | | |
| | Stop the New Sex-Ed Agenda | Natalia Benoit | | | |
| | Ontario Party | Liz Leeuwenburg | | | |
| | Liberal | Robin McPherson | | | |
| | Ontario Alliance | J. Justin O'Donnell | | | |
| | Progressive Conservative | Sal Sorrento | | | |
| | New Democratic | Jennie Stevens | | | |
| | Green | Stephen Vincelette-Smith | | | |
| Total valid votes/expense limit | Total valid votes/expense limit | Total valid votes/expense limit | |
| Total rejected, unmarked, and declined ballots | Total rejected, unmarked, and declined ballots | Total rejected, unmarked, and declined ballots | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | |
| Eligible voters | Eligible voters | Eligible voters | |
vte2022 Ontario general election: St. Catharines :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | New Democratic | Jennie Stevens | 17,128 | 39.71 | +3.09 |
| | Progressive Conservative | Sal Sorrento | 14,851 | 34.43 | +0.83 |
| | Liberal | Ryan Madill | 7,175 | 16.63 | −7.90 |
| | Green | Michele Braniff | 1,764 | 4.09 | +0.37 |
| | New Blue | Keith McDonald | 1,103 | 2.56 | |
| | Ontario Party | Michael Goddard | 613 | 1.42 | |
| | Libertarian | Judi Falardeau | 372 | 0.86 | +0.48 |
| | Communist | Rin Simon | 99 | 0.23 | +0.10 |
| | Ontario Alliance | J. Justin O'Donnell | 31 | 0.07 | |
| Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | 43,136 | 100.0 |
| Total rejected, unmarked, and declined ballots | Total rejected, unmarked, and declined ballots | Total rejected, unmarked, and declined ballots | 224 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 43,360 | 46.66 |
| Eligible voters | Eligible voters | Eligible voters | 93,002 |
| | New Democratic hold | New Democratic hold | Swing | Swing | +1.13 |
| Source(s) "Summary of Valid Votes Cast for Each Candidate" (PDF). Elections Ontario. 2022. Archived from the original on 2023-05-18."Statistical Summary by Electoral District" (PDF). Elections Ontario. 2022. Archived from the original on 2023-05-21. |||||||
vte2018 Ontario general election: St. Catharines :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | New Democratic | Jennie Stevens | 18,911 | 36.61 | +12.01 |
| | Progressive Conservative | Sandie Bellows | 17,353 | 33.60 | +4.28 |
| | Liberal | Jim Bradley | 12,671 | 24.53 | −16.67 |
| | Green | Colin Ryrie | 1,923 | 3.72 | −0.11 |
| | None of the Above | Jim Fannon | 494 | 0.96 | – |
| | Libertarian | Daniel Tisi | 195 | 0.38 | − |
| | Communist | Saleh Waziruddin | 66 | 0.13 | − |
| | Cultural Action | Duke Willis | 37 | 0.07 | – |
| Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | 51,650 | 98.93 |
| Total rejected, unmarked and declined ballots | Total rejected, unmarked and declined ballots | Total rejected, unmarked and declined ballots | 556 | 1.07 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 52,206 | 58.06 |
| Eligible voters | Eligible voters | Eligible voters | 89,924 |
| | New Democratic gain from Liberal | New Democratic gain from Liberal | Swing | Swing | +14.34 |
| Source: Elections Ontario |||||||
2014 Ontario general election: St. Catharines :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Jim Bradley | 19,070 | 41.93 | +0.72 |
| | Progressive Conservative | Mat Siscoe | 13,814 | 29.72 | -6.49 |
| | New Democratic | Jennie Stevens | 11,350 | 24.45 | +4.25 |
| | Green | Karen Fraser | 1,792 | 3.85 | +1.35 |
| | Libertarian | Nicholas Dushko | 223 | 0.47 | |
| | Freedom | Dave Unrau | 170 | 0.37 | +0.24 |
| | Communist | Saleh Waziruddin | 95 | 0.21 | +0.05 |
| Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | 46,514 | 100.0 |
| Rejected, unmarked and declined ballots | Rejected, unmarked and declined ballots | Rejected, unmarked and declined ballots | 725 | 1.56 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 47,239 | 54.80 |
| Total Registered Electors on List | Total Registered Electors on List | Total Registered Electors on List | 86,198 |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Swing | Swing | +3.60 |
| Source: Elections Ontario |||||||

### 2014 St. Catharines City Council Election - Ward 1 - Merriton

| Candidate | Total votes | % of total vote |
| Jennie Stevens (X) | 2,423 | 27.32% |
| David Haywood | 1,557 | 17.56% |
| Brandon Curie | 1,092 | 12.31% |
| Leslie Seaborne | 1,023 | 11.54% |
| Marta Liddiard | 676 | 7.62% |
| Geoffrey Black | 311 | 3.51% |
| Total valid votes | 8,868 | 100.00 |

### 2010 St. Catharines City Council Election - Ward 1 - Merriton

| Candidate | Total votes | % of total vote |
| Jennie Stevens (X) | 2,294 | 32.96% |
| Jeff Burch (X) | 2,064 | 29.66% |
| David Haywood | 1,134 | 16.29% |
| Garry Robbins | 817 | 11.74% |
| Sam Sacco | 491 | 7.05% |
| Cameron Alderdice | 160 | 2.30% |
| Total valid votes | 6,960 | 100.00 |

### 2006 St. Catharines City Council Election - Ward 1 - Meritton

| Candidate | Total votes | % of total vote |
| Jeff Burch | 2857 | 33.01% |
| Jennie Stevens (X) | 2849 | 32.92% |
| Sheila Morra (X) | 2049 | 23.68% |
| Robbie Craine | 899 | 10.39% |
| Total valid votes | 6,960 | 100.00 |

### 2003 St. Catharines City Council Election - Ward 1 - Merriton

| Candidate | Total votes | % of total votes |
| Sheila Morra | 1615 | 21.12% |
| Jennie Stevens | 1528 | 19.98% |
| Mike O'Leary | 1326 | 17.34% |
| John Anderson | 830 | 10.85% |
| Jack Wallace | 533 | 6.97% |
| Matthew Bell | 523 | 6.84% |
| Robbie Craine | 410 | 5.36% |
| George Goff | 371 | 4.85% |
| Jim Fannon | 230 | 3.01% |
| Jonathon Inkol | 159 | 2.08% |
| Fely Ante Whitfield | 123 | 1.61% |
| Total valid votes | 7,648 | 100.00 |

### 2000 St. Catharines City Council Election - Ward 1 - Merriton

| Candidate | Total votes | % of total votes |
| James Almas | 2,589 | 37.17% |
| Wendy Patriquin | 2,060 | 29.57% |
| Jennie Stevens | 1,711 | 24.56% |
| George Goff | 606 | 8.70% |
| Total valid votes | 6,966 | 100.00 |