Riding of Niagara West

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10 days and counting until Canadians go to the polls. Tonight Lauran Sabourin takes a closer look at the riding of Niagara West.

The riding of Niagara West extends from St. Catharines to the Hamilton border, and from Lake Ontario to Lake Erie.

Conservative Dean Allison has been the MP in this riding since 2004. “I think the issues always continue to be the economy.”

This riding is the heart of the Niagara fruit belt and wine country. Farms generate half a billion dollars in revenue in this area alone.
Niagara Region is home to the second largest number of greenhouses. 84% flowers are grown in Niagara, most of them right here in West Niagara.

Dean Allison says making it easier to export is critical. “I think access to markets, border infrastructure, pre clearance programs. These are the things we’ve worked
on with some of the businesses in our area.”

Nameer Rahman has a policy consulting business in Grimsby. He’s been out talking to voters. “The focus is really the economy. So, turning around our manufacturing sector. Turning around our agricultural sector.” He says while fresh fruit sales are strong, the processing market has disappeared. “The question is what are we going to do about it. And how we’re moving forward. The NDP’s policy is to try to bring back our food processing plants and our canneries.”

The Liberal Candidate is Phil Rose, born and raised in Grimsby. He’s a professor at York University. “People are worried about the T.P.P, the fact that it’s been negotiated in secret.” Some sectors may lose in the Trans Pacific Partnership trade deal. “Again, Harper’s not trusted when he says he’s going to provide compensation for the farmer.”

Agricultural, tourism, manufacturing are all significant industries in this area. The polls show Conservative support here is solid. With ten days left until election
day, all three candidates are working on the assumption that can change.