Know your riding — Canada Votes 2025: Burlington

• Read all of CBC Hamilton's coverage of the federal election here. 

The Burlington riding has voted Liberal since incumbent Karina Gould defeated the Conservatives in 2015. 

She will run again this election after taking a shot at the Liberal leadership in March and placing third. 

This election is the second time Gould will be up against Conservative candidate Emily Brown. Gould beat Brown in the 2021 election by 5,860 votes. 

The Golden Horseshoe riding encompasses most of the City of Burlington and is bordered by Lake Ontario and Hamilton Harbour. It runs from Burloak Drive in the northeast to Guelph Line in the south. 

CBC Hamilton sent a survey to major party candidates, or their party representatives. Their responses, edited for length and clarity, are reflected below. 

Michael Bator, People's Party

Bator is a software developer, pianist and guitarist, and youth hockey and soccer coach. He did not fill out the survey.

"He is an advocate for protecting childhood innocence, defending women's rights, and upholding Christian principles in society," his campaign website says.

"He continues to stand for faith, integrity, and the empowerment of individuals to reach their full potential."

Emily Brown, Conservative

Brown teaches business math at Sheridan College and is a board member of the Canadian Wildlife Federation. 

She did not fill out the survey. Her campaign website says she "brings a wealth of experienced" to the riding and Conservative Party including skills in governance, strategic planning and stakeholder management. 

"Known as someone who steps up to get things done, she does not back down to a challenge," her website says.

Michael Beauchemin, NDP

An applications engineer at a Canadian software company, Michael Beauchemin, 28, said he's running because constituents need a politician who cares. 

"I will fight against the rising costs in housing and groceries, and hold big business accountable for their greed and price-gouging of Canadians," Beauchemin said in the survey.

"As a candidate, I am not beholden to corporate interest groups and rich donors. Politicians work for the people they represent, and it's time they remember it."

Karina Gould, Liberal

The incumbent candidate did not respond to CBC Hamilton's survey. Her campaign website says she is is a lifelong Burlington resident and before politics, worked in international trade. 

"As the youngest female cabinet minister in Canadian history, Karina Gould has been a fierce advocate for the people of Burlington since she was elected in 2015," her website says. 

"Karina is running for re-election to ensure that we continue to make Burlington and Canada more equal, prosperous, sustainable and inclusive."

Kyle Hutton, Green

Kyle Hutton, 34, has worked for an environmental non-profit organization and is a member of the Green Party of Ontario's provincial executive board.

"Canadians are feeling pressure — from [U.S. President Donald] Trump, from an increasing cost of living, from screens and talking heads demanding our attention at all hours," Hutton wrote in the survey.

"If elected, my priority will be to reinvest in Canadians, directly tackle the housing and poverty crises with proven solutions, and refocus our government on what matters — not the noise."  

Also running

• Paul Harper, Parti Rhinocéros Party: Information about Harper could not be found online.