# St. Catharines (federal electoral district)

St. Catharines is a federal electoral district in the Niagara Region of Ontario, Canada, that has been represented in the House of Commons of Canada since 1968.
It consists of the part of the City of St. Catharines lying east and north of a line drawn from Lake Ontario: Courtleigh Road, Third Street Louth, the QEW, Highway 406, First Street Louth, St. Paul Street West, St. Paul Crescent, Twelve Mile Creek, Glendale Avenue, Merrit Street and Glendale Avenue.

## History

It was created in 1966 from parts of Lincoln riding.
It consisted initially of the part of the City of St. Catharines bounded on the east by the eastern city limit, and on the north, west and south by a line drawn from the city limit southwest along Eastchester Avenue, south along Bunting Road, southwest along Rockwood Street, south along Hartzell Road, northwest along the Canadian National Railway (CNR) line, south along Glengarry Road, east along Glendale Avenue, south along Mountain Street and east along Bradley Street to the city limit.
In 1976, it was redefined to consist of the part of the City of St. Catharines lying north of the Canadian National Railway.
In 1987, it was redefined to consist of the part of the City of St. Catharines lying north of a line drawn from west to east along St. Paul Street West, St. Paul Street West to St. Paul Crescent, the old Welland Canal, Carter Creek, the first Canadian National Railway spur line and the main CNR line and Queenston Street.
In 1996, it was redefined to consist of the part of the City of St. Catharines lying north and east of a line drawn from the western city limit along St. Paul Street West, St. Paul Crescent, the Old Welland Canal, Carter Creek, the first Canadian National Railway spur line, the most easterly Canadian National Railway spur line and the yard line to the southern city limit.
This riding lost fractions of territory to Niagara West and Niagara Centre during the 2012 electoral redistribution.
Following the 2022 Canadian federal electoral redistribution, the riding will gain the part of Niagara Centre in the City of St. Catharines that is east of Twelve Mile Creek, and will lose its territory in the Western Hill neighbourhood to Niagara West. These changes will come into effect following the call of the 2025 Canadian federal election.

## Demographics

According to the 2021 Canadian census
Ethnic groups: 80.7% White, 4.2% Black, 3.5% Indigenous, 2.4% Latin American, 2.2% South Asian, 1.4% Filipino, 1.3% Chinese, 1.2% Arab
Languages: 79.9% English, 2.1% Spanish, 1.8% French, 1.4% Italian, 1.3% German, 1.2% Arabic, 1.1% Polish
Religions: 58.3% Christian (25.7% Catholic, 6.1% Anglican, 4.2% United Church, 1.9% Presbyterian, 1.3% Anabaptist, 1.3% Christian Orthodox, 1.2% Baptist, 1.1% Lutheran, 1.1% Pentecostal, 14.4% Other), 3.1% Muslim, 36.2% None
Median income: $37,600 (2020)
Average income: $46,760 (2020)

## Federal riding associations

Riding associations are the local branches of the national political parties:
| Party | Association name | CEO | HQ address | HQ city |
| Christian Heritage Party of Canada | Christian Heritage Party St. Catharines E.D.A. | Bill Luchies | 21 Forster Street | St. Catharines |
| Conservative Party of Canada | St. Catharines Conservative Association | Grace Pang | 109 Magnolia Lane | Welland |
| Liberal Party of Canada | St. Catharines Federal Liberal Association | Margaret Jarrell | | St. Catharines |
| New Democratic Party | St. Catharines Federal NDP Riding Association | Irene E. Lowell | 5 Roehampton Avenue | St. Catharines |

## Members of Parliament

This riding has elected the following members of the House of Commons of Canada:
| Parliament | Years | Member | Party |
| St. Catharines Riding created from Lincoln |||||
| 28th | 1968–1972 | James McNulty | Liberal |
| 29th | 1972–1974 | J. Trevor Morgan | Progressive Conservative |
| 30th | 1974–1979 | Gilbert Parent | Liberal |
| 31st | 1979–1980 | Joseph Reid | Progressive Conservative |
| 32nd | 1980–1984 | Joseph Reid | Progressive Conservative |
| 33rd | 1984–1988 | Joseph Reid | Progressive Conservative |
| 34th | 1988–1993 | Ken Atkinson | Progressive Conservative |
| 35th | 1993–1997 | Walt Lastewka | Liberal |
| 36th | 1997–2000 | Walt Lastewka | Liberal |
| 37th | 2000–2004 | Walt Lastewka | Liberal |
| 38th | 2004–2006 | Walt Lastewka | Liberal |
| 39th | 2006–2008 | Rick Dykstra | Conservative |
| 40th | 2008–2011 | Rick Dykstra | Conservative |
| 41st | 2011–2015 | Rick Dykstra | Conservative |
| 42nd | 2015–2019 | Chris Bittle | Liberal |
| 43rd | 2019–2021 | Chris Bittle | Liberal |
| 44th | 2021–present | Chris Bittle | Liberal |

## Election results

2025 Canadian federal election :
| Party | Candidate | Votes |
| | Liberal | Chris Bittle |
| | Conservative | Bas Sluijmers |
| | New Democratic | Karen Orlandi |
| | People's | Dennis Wilson |
| Total valid votes/Expense limit | Total valid votes/Expense limit | Total valid votes/Expense limit |
| Total rejected ballots | Total rejected ballots | Total rejected ballots |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout |
| Eligible voters | Eligible voters | Eligible voters |
2021 federal election redistributed results :
| Party | Vote | % |
| Liberal | 23,125 | 37.87 |
| Conservative | 19,768 | 32.37 |
| New Democratic | 13,014 | 21.31 |
| People's | 4,024 | 6.59 |
| Green | 1,140 | 1.87 |
vte2021 Canadian federal election :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | Expenditures |
| | Liberal | Chris Bittle | 22,069 | 37.59 | -2.64 | $63,959.39 |
| | Conservative | Krystina Waler | 19,018 | 32.39 | +0.82 | $106,257.96 |
| | New Democratic | Trecia McLennon | 12,294 | 20.94 | +0.26 | $13,666.86 |
| | People's | Rebecca Hahn | 3,860 | 6.57 | +5.20 | $10,008.13 |
| | Green | Catharine Rhodes | 1,091 | 1.86 | -4.29 | $205.19 |
| Total valid votes/expense limit | Total valid votes/expense limit | Total valid votes/expense limit | 58,332 | 99.36 | -0.19 | $118,995.79 |
| Total rejected ballots | Total rejected ballots | Total rejected ballots | 377 | 0.64 | +0.19 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 58,709 | 64.51 | -1.95 |
| Eligible voters | Eligible voters | Eligible voters | 91,010 |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Swing | Swing | -1.70 |
| Source: Elections Canada |||||||
vte2019 Canadian federal election :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | Expenditures |
| | Liberal | Chris Bittle | 24,183 | 40.23 | -2.95 | $87,246.25 |
| | Conservative | Krystina Waler | 18,978 | 31.57 | -6.00 | $114,133.28 |
| | New Democratic | Dennis Van Meer | 12,431 | 20.68 | +4.16 | none listed |
| | Green | Travis Mason | 3,695 | 6.15 | +3.56 | $5,554.85 |
| | People's | Allan deRoo | 826 | 1.37 | | none listed |
| Total valid votes/expense limit | Total valid votes/expense limit | Total valid votes/expense limit | 60,113 | 99.17 |
| Total rejected ballots | Total rejected ballots | Total rejected ballots | 506 | 0.83 | +0.41 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 60,619 | 66.46 | -1.28 |
| Eligible voters | Eligible voters | Eligible voters | 91,215 |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Swing | Swing | +1.52 |
| Source: Elections Canada |||||||
2015 Canadian federal election :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | Expenditures |
| | Liberal | Chris Bittle | 24,870 | 43.18 | +22.49 | $100,562.32 |
| | Conservative | Rick Dykstra | 21,637 | 37.57 | -13.09 | $188,880.75 |
| | New Democratic | Susan Erskine-Fournier | 9,511 | 16.51 | -7.44 | $30,053.13 |
| | Green | Jim Fannon | 1,488 | 2.58 | -1.25 | – |
| | Communist | Saleh Waziruddin | 85 | 0.15 | -0.05 | – |
| Total valid votes/Expense limit | Total valid votes/Expense limit | Total valid votes/Expense limit | 57,591 | 99.58 | | $222,166.81 |
| Total rejected ballots | Total rejected ballots | Total rejected ballots | 243 | 0.42 | – |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 57,834 | 67.74 | – |
| Eligible voters | Eligible voters | Eligible voters | 85,377 |
| | Liberal gain from Conservative | Liberal gain from Conservative | Swing | Swing | +17.79 |
| Source: Elections Canada |||||||
2011 federal election redistributed results :
| Party | Vote | % |
| Conservative | 25,090 | 50.66 |
| New Democratic | 11,860 | 23.95 |
| Liberal | 10,248 | 20.69 |
| Green | 1,895 | 3.83 |
| Others | 436 | 0.88 |
2011 Canadian federal election :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | Expenditures |
| | Conservative | Rick Dykstra | 25,571 | 50.9 | +5.1 | – |
| | New Democratic | Mike Williams | 11,973 | 23.8 | +5.4 | – |
| | Liberal | Andrew Gill | 10,358 | 20.6 | -8.0 | – |
| | Green | Jennifer Mooradian | 1,924 | 3.8 | -3.0 | $2,828.62 |
| | Christian Heritage | Dave Bylsma | 357 | 0.7 | +0.7 | $8,069.31 |
| | Communist | Saleh Waziruddin | 91 | 0.2 | -0.0 | – |
| Total valid votes/Expense limit | Total valid votes/Expense limit | Total valid votes/Expense limit | 50,221 | 100.0 | $89,890.78 |
| Rejected ballots | Rejected ballots | Rejected ballots | 226 | 0.4 | +0.1 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 50,500 | 60.9 | -0.3 |
2008 Canadian federal election :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | Expenditures |
| | Conservative | Rick Dykstra | 23,474 | 45.9 | +8.4 | $77,155 |
| | Liberal | Walt Lastewka | 14,652 | 28.6 | -8.4 | $85,551 |
| | New Democratic | George Addision | 9,428 | 18.4 | -2.1 | $21,329 |
| | Green | Jim Fannon | 3,477 | 6.8 | +2.8 | $3,511 |
| | Communist | Sam Hammond | 113 | 0.2 | – | $410 |
| Total valid votes/Expense limit | Total valid votes/Expense limit | Total valid votes/Expense limit | 51,144 | 100.0 | $88,319 |
| Rejected ballots | Rejected ballots | Rejected ballots | 161 | 0.3 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 51,305 | 61.2 |
vte2006 Canadian federal election :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | Expenditures |
| | Conservative | Rick Dykstra | 21,668 | 37.5 | +2.8 | $78,093.76 |
| | Liberal | Walt Lastewka | 21,424 | 37.0 | −3.4 | $76,408.07 |
| | New Democratic | Jeff Burch | 11,849 | 20.5 | +1.2 | $15,482.42 |
| | Green | Jim Fannon | 2,306 | 4.0 | +0.3 | $991.15 |
| | Christian Heritage | Bill Bylsma | 499 | 0.9 | −0.5 | $8,736.24 |
| | Marxist–Leninist | Elaine Couto | 100 | 0.2 | +0.1 | |
| Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | 57,846 | 100.0 |
| Sources: Official Results, Elections Canada and Financial Returns, Elections Canada. |||||||
vte2004 Canadian federal election :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | Expenditures |
| | Liberal | Walt Lastewka | 21,277 | 40.4 | −4.5 | $67,606.54 |
| | Conservative | Leo Bonomi | 18,261 | 34.7 | −13.2 | $76,063.45 |
| | New Democratic | Ted Mouradian | 10,135 | 19.3 | +13.1 | $13,554.17 |
| | Green | Jim Fannon | 1,927 | 3.7 | – | $1,145.69 |
| | Christian Heritage | Linda Klassen | 751 | 1.4 | – | $15,303.13 |
| | Canadian Action | Jane Elizabeth Paxton | 204 | 0.4 | – | $0.00 |
| | Marxist–Leninist | Elaine Couto | 61 | 0.1 | −0.1 | $6.90 |
| Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | 52,616 | 100.0 |
| Total rejected ballots | Total rejected ballots | Total rejected ballots | 240 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 52,856 | 62.03 |
| Electors on the lists | Electors on the lists | Electors on the lists | 85,209 |
| Percentage change figures are factored for redistribution. Conservative Party percentages are contrasted with the combined Canadian Alliance and Progressive Conservative percentages from 2000. Sources: Official Results, Elections Canada and Financial Returns, Elections Canada. |||||||
vte2000 Canadian federal election :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | Expenditures |
| | Liberal | Walt Lastewka | 20,992 | 44.9 | +1.5 | $48,037.11 |
| | Alliance | Randy Taylor Dumont | 15,871 | 34.0 | +3.0 | $65,538.72 |
| | Progressive Conservative | Ken Atkinson | 6,522 | 14.0 | +0.6 | $20,495.69 |
| | New Democratic | John Bacher | 2,878 | 6.2 | −3.4 | $12,153.96 |
| | Natural Law | Jim Morris | 203 | 0.4 | −0.1 | $0.00 |
| | Independent | Tilly Bylsma | 166 | 0.4 | – | $4,942.92 |
| | Marxist–Leninist | Elaine Couto | 93 | 0.2 | – | $8.00 |
| Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | 46,725 | 100.0 |
| Total rejected ballots | Total rejected ballots | Total rejected ballots | 223 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 46,948 | 60.02 |
| Electors on the lists | Electors on the lists | Electors on the lists | 78,215 |
| Sources: Note: Canadian Alliance vote is compared to the Reform vote in 1997 election Official Results, Elections Canada and Financial Returns, Elections Canada. |||||||
vte1997 Canadian federal election :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | Expenditures |
| | Liberal | Walt Lastewka | 21,081 | 43.5 | −5.6 | $46,896 |
| | Reform | Rob Hesp | 15,029 | 31.0 | +2.2 | $41,350 |
| | Progressive Conservative | Gregg Crealock | 6,503 | 13.4 | −1.6 | $25,799 |
| | New Democratic | Ed Gould | 4,657 | 9.6 | +3.8 | $24,683 |
| | Christian Heritage | Tristan Emmanuel | 688 | 1.4 | +0.2 | $7,249 |
| | Canadian Action | G.L. Malcolm | 308 | 0.6 | – | $2,976 |
| | Natural Law | Helene Darisse | 245 | 0.5 | – | $0.00 |
| Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | 48,511 | 100.0 |
| Total rejected ballots | Total rejected ballots | Total rejected ballots | 272 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 48,783 | 65.49 |
| Electors on the lists | Electors on the lists | Electors on the lists | 74,484 |
| Sources: Official Results, Elections Canada and Financial Returns, Elections Canada. |||||||
vte1993 Canadian federal election :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | Expenditures |
| | Liberal | Walt Lastewka | 23,928 | 48.99 | $49,786 |
| | Reform | Rob Hesp | 14,011 | 28.69 | $31,523 |
| | Progressive Conservative | Ken Atkinson | 7,448 | 15.25 | $40,187 |
| | New Democratic | Jane Hughes | 2,799 | 5.73 | $10,877 |
| | Christian Heritage | David W. Bylsma | 568 | 1.16 | $3,349 |
| | Abolitionist | Kevin Doucet | 86 | 0.18 | $0 |
| Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | 45,652 | 100.0 |
| Total rejected ballots | Total rejected ballots | Total rejected ballots | 383 |
| Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | 49,223 | 68.44 |
| Electors on the lists | Electors on the lists | Electors on the lists | 71,919 |
| Source: Thirty-fifth General Election, 1993: Official Voting Results, Published by the Chief Electoral Officer of Canada. Financial figures taken from official contributions and expenses provided by Elections Canada. |||||||
1988 Canadian federal election :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Progressive Conservative | Ken Atkinson | 19,623 | 40.7 | -9.0 |
| | Liberal | Barbara Buchanan | 16,043 | 33.3 | +14.8 |
| | New Democratic | Rob West | 12,260 | 25.5 | -5.2 |
| | Communist | Eric Blair | 241 | 0.5 | +0.3 |
| Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | 48,167 | 100.0 |
1984 Canadian federal election :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Progressive Conservative | Joe Reid | 26,621 | 49.7 | +11.8 |
| | New Democratic | Gerry Michaud | 16,397 | 30.6 | +4.2 |
| | Liberal | Linus Hand | 9,890 | 18.5 | -16.5 |
| | Green | Tom Ferguson | 365 | 0.7 | |
| | Social Credit | Glen Hodgins | 108 | 0.2 | |
| | Communist | Mel Doig | 93 | 0.2 | 0.0 |
| | Commonwealth of Canada | Lancelot Mottley | 56 | 0.1 | |
| Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | 53,530 | 100.0 |
1980 Canadian federal election :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Progressive Conservative | Joe Reid | 18,622 | 37.9 | -8.4 |
| | Liberal | David Wiebe | 17,173 | 34.9 | +5.4 |
| | New Democratic | Peter Elliott | 13,006 | 26.5 | +3.0 |
| | Rhinoceros | Fred Horny Lake | 230 | 0.2 | -0.1 |
| | Communist | Don Stewart | 76 | 0.5 | |
| | Marxist–Leninist | Vicki Wiwcharyk | 35 | 0.1 | 0.0 |
| Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | 49,142 | 100.0 |
1979 Canadian federal election :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Progressive Conservative | Joe Reid | 23,444 | 46.3 | +12.6 |
| | Liberal | William Andres | 14,990 | 29.6 | -16.7 |
| | New Democratic | Peter J. Elliott | 11,897 | 23.5 | +4.7 |
| | Libertarian | Kenneth F. MacKay | 186 | 0.4 | |
| | Communist | Melbourne Doig | 111 | 0.2 | 0.0 |
| | Marxist–Leninist | Victoria A. Wiwcharyk | 40 | 0.1 | -0.1 |
| Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | 50,668 | 100.0 |
1974 Canadian federal election :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Gilbert Parent | 22,528 | 46.2 | +8.0 |
| | Progressive Conservative | Trevor Morgan | 16,402 | 33.7 | -6.3 |
| | New Democratic | Fred Dickson | 9,147 | 18.8 | -1.3 |
| | Social Credit | Jean Charles Hamelin | 443 | 0.9 | -0.2 |
| | Communist | William Stewart | 129 | 0.3 | |
| | Marxist–Leninist | Roger Ten Trey | 69 | 0.1 | |
| Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | 48,718 | 100.0 |
1972 Canadian federal election :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Progressive Conservative | Trevor Morgan | 19,257 | 40.0 | +3.5 |
| | Liberal | James C. McNulty | 18,442 | 38.3 | -7.2 |
| | New Democratic | Michael Inneq | 9,683 | 20.1 | +2.1 |
| | Social Credit | R.H. James | 538 | 1.1 | |
| | Independent | John Donald Clout | 250 | 0.5 | |
| Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | 48,170 | 100.0 |
1968 Canadian federal election :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Liberal | James C. McNulty | 18,100 | 45.4 |
| | Progressive Conservative | Laura Sabia | 14,544 | 36.5 |
| | New Democratic | June E. Cook | 7,185 | 18.0 |
| Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | 39,829 | 100.0 |