Beattie wins after strong showing in Winona; PCs retain seat
Jeff Beattie has captured the Hamilton East—Stoney Creek seat for the Progressive Conservatives, defeating New Democrat Monique Taylor in a by-election that carried local significance for Hamilton's industrial communities.
Unofficial results showed Beattie received 10,500 votes to Taylor’s 8,886, a margin of about 1,600 votes. Liberal candidate Heino Doessing finished third with 6,334 votes.
| Candidate | Party | Votes |
|---|---|---|
| Jeff Beattie | Progressive Conservative | 10,500 |
| Monique Taylor | New Democratic Party | 8,886 |
| Heino Doessing | Liberal | 6,334 |
Beattie’s victory hinged on strong support in his home base of Winona, where his family’s long-standing local presence appeared to translate into votes. In one Winona poll, Beattie reportedly took more than 700 votes while Taylor received around 75.
"We were blessed to have a member of Beattie’s calibre joining the caucus," said Premier Doug Ford at Beattie’s campaign headquarters.
Ford was in Hamilton to congratulate Beattie, a signal that the provincial government is attentive to the riding. Beattie told reporters he plans to focus on standing up for Hamilton’s steel and auto manufacturing sector amid an ongoing trade dispute with the United States.
He framed his role as an advocate for local industry, saying he intends to champion Hamilton the way his party has sought to defend Ontario in the trade disagreement.
Local context and consequences
The result keeps Hamilton East—Stoney Creek aligned with the governing party at Queen’s Park. For residents, that could translate into quicker access to the government channels that handle economic and industrial concerns — particularly those tied to cross-border trade and supply chains that affect Hamilton’s steelmakers and auto parts employers.
Monique Taylor, who sought a return to provincial politics after previously serving as an MPP, narrowed the gap but fell short in her bid. The NDP’s performance and the Liberal vote share indicate a split electorate, with local loyalties in places such as Winona proving decisive.
- Representation: The riding will now be represented by a Conservative MPP aligned with the governing caucus.
- Industry focus: Beattie has committed to prioritizing Hamilton’s steel and auto sectors amid the US trade confrontation.
- Local dynamics: Strong neighbourhood-level support in Winona played a key role in the outcome.
Campaign appearances included Premier Ford joining Beattie on the stump and at local events such as the Winona Peach Festival. In a more symbolic moment during the campaign, Ford and Beattie erected a large Lake Ontario sign at the 50 Point Conservation Authority site, a response referenced to former U.S. president Donald Trump’s renaming of the lake.
Official poll-by-poll results were not immediately available, but preliminary returns underscore the importance of municipal neighbourhoods and family roots in Hamilton politics. With the PCs holding the seat, residents will be watching to see how quickly the new MPP moves to address the trade pressures Beattie highlighted and whether provincial resources will be marshalled to protect local manufacturers and jobs.
The by-election has broader implications for the province: it offers an early test of the governing party’s standing in industrial Ontario and the effectiveness of local campaigning in countering longstanding NDP support in parts of Hamilton.
Further detail, including official certified numbers and a breakdown of poll-by-poll returns, is expected in the days ahead as Elections Ontario finalizes the count.
