Key Issues in Hamilton East—Stoney Creek Byelection

Residents of east Hamilton and Stoney Creek are most concerned about affordability, health care, education, and air quality as the byelection approaches, according to the candidates vying for election.

This byelection was triggered by the retirement of former Progressive Conservative MPP Neil Lumsden on August 4 from his position representing Hamilton East-Stoney Creek.

Voters can make their selections at designated voting locations on election day, September 3, with polls open from 9 a. m. to 9 p. m. The riding stretches from Kenilworth Avenue to just east of Fifty Road. You can find voting locations online at Elections Ontario.

There are six candidates running:

Jeff Beattie, Ontario PC Party. Heather Curnew, Ontario Party. Wieslawa Derlatka, New Blue Party. Heino Doessing, Ontario Liberal Party. Pascale Marchand, Green Party of Ontario. Monique Taylor, Ontario New Democratic Party.

The reached out to the candidates to discuss the issues they believe matter most to the community and how they plan to address them.

Here are the responses from those who replied. Responses have been edited for length and clarity and are listed in alphabetical order by candidate names.

Jeff Beattie, Ontario PC

Jeff Beattie is a local business owner who has served as a Hamilton city councillor for Ward 10 since 2022. He was also a trustee for the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board in Wards 9 and 10 from 2014-2018.

Jeff Beattie is running in the Hamilton East-Stoney Creek provincial byelection for the Ontario PC Party. (Jeff Beattie/Facebook)

What are the top three issues facing the communities of this riding?

I hear consistently from families, workers, and businesses across Hamilton East-Stoney Creek that their biggest concerns revolve around safeguarding local jobs and our economy, ensuring life remains affordable for families, and making sure we have adequate infrastructure and public services as we grow.

The risks posed by President Trump’s tariffs are especially pressing for our community since our steel and manufacturing sectors provide support for thousands of local households.

Additionally, families worry about rising housing costs and daily expenses; they expect government investment in roads, transit systems, schools, and healthcare services that our expanding communities need.

How do you plan on addressing those issues?

If elected as your MPP, I will build upon what our PC government has achieved here in Hamilton East-Stoney Creek.

We’ve brought $12 million in annual savings for families through measures like making gas tax cuts permanent and eliminating HST on new homes.

We’ve also supported steelworkers affected by U. S. tariffs by introducing Buy Ontario policies while offering tax cuts and relief for impacted industries so businesses can keep people employed.

A number of key projects like the new Confederation GO station have progressed along with investments in Hamilton Health Sciences aimed at improving access to primary care. I’ll keep advocating for these vital infrastructure investments that our community requires.

Heino Doessing, Ontario Liberal Party

Heino Doessing is running with the Ontario Liberal Party after working in finance for over ten years. Originally hailing from Denmark,
Doessing previously served as a municipal councillor in Solrød from 2006-2008.
He ran again during the last general election held in 2025 but did not win a seat in Hamilton East-Stoney Creek.

Pictured: Heino Doessing is running for office with
the Ontario Liberal Party during this byelection.

(Heino Doessing/Facebook)

What are your priorities regarding important issues? Lately families have been grappling with increasing costs while Doug Ford’s management of Ontario’s economy leaves much to be desired. In fact,Ontario saw an alarming drop -60 thousand fewer jobs created compared against previous years..(2025 versus earlier).. After eight long years under Doug Ford’s leadership ,Ontario isn’t equipped enough. to face challenges arising due Donald Trump’s tariffs!.. In addition – back when he first took office ,Doug promised folks hallway healthcare would vanish!. Unfortunately promises made were not kept instead more funds funneled towards profit-driven companies!Here’s another critical point :Our hospitals rank lowest per capita spending among Canada! Half or near half run deficits too! Just think about it –Kids shouldn’t return home smelling soot after playtime; clean air & decent employment aren’t mutually exclusive; we’ve shown success already when coal plants closed down across province!;