Ontario Votes 2025: Hamilton Mountain

The Hamilton Mountain riding is up for grabs after the Ontario NDP MPP representing the riding announced last fall she wouldn't seek re-election. 

Monique Taylor said she will instead run for MP in the next federal election, leaving the provincial seat open. 

Hamilton Mountain has been held by the NDP since 2011 and encompasses the southernmost urban part of the city. It runs from the Niagara Escarpment to Rymal Road and between Garth and West 5th Streets in the west and Mountain Brow Boulevard, Redhill Creek, Arbour Road and Anchor Road in the east. 

Over 115,000 people live in the riding. 

Some candidates are already well known in the community. 

NDP candidate Kojo Damptey is a civic leader, musician and scholar, who lost a contentious city councillor race in 2022 by 79 votes. 

The city's bylaw director Monica Ciriello is running for the Progressive Conservatives. She has overseen the creation of new bylaw programs to better protect tenants, as directed by council, but also came under fire for her department's handling of a 12-week-long water shutoff at an apartment building in 2023. 

Dawn Danko, former chair of the Hamilton Wentworth District School Board, is running for the Liberal Party. She  led the board of trustees as students and staff navigated the COVID-19 pandemic.

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

Also running for MPP is Ejaz Butt as an Independent, Layla Marie-Angela Protopapa with the New Blue Party, Dan Preston with the None of the Above Direct Democracy Party and Bing Wong for the Ontario Party.

Monica Ciriello, PC

Monica Ciriello did not respond to CBC Hamilton's survey. Her campaign website says she's the director of municipal law and licensing at the City of Hamilton, "champion" for entrepreneurs and a lawyer. 

"Monica will stand up for and protect Hamilton workers, businesses and communities," the website says. "She is the representative Hamilton Mountain needs at this pivotal moment." 

Joshua Czerniga, Green

A teacher, Joshua Czerniga, 42, was born and raised on the Hamilton Mountain. 

"This community is special and over the years, I've worked alongside my neighbours, listening to their struggles and learning what we truly need," he said. "We need a place where families can thrive, and a life that doesn't leave anyone behind."

Affordable housing is top of mind for constituents, said Green. He'll work to build more affordable, energy-efficient housing and put in place rent control for all units with no exemptions.

Kojo Damptey, NDP

Kojo Damptey, 42, has worked at McMaster University's Office of Community Engagement as an acting senior manager, and is also a sessional instructor for the African and Black studies program, and a social work PhD student. 

"I am running to fight for Hamilton Mountain residents at Queen's Park to ensure seniors are supported, working families have trust in their provincial government, and to provide true public healthcare and education for all in Ontario," Damptey said. 

If elected, he will push for grocery rebates as well as investments in health care and education, including capping class sizes.

Dawn Danko, Liberal

Dawn Danko, 48, has worked as a public school board trustee, where she has been chair of the board, as a medical radiation technologist and has taught at the college level. 

"Voters are tired of Doug Ford's scandals and the radical and ineffective NDP, and know that I will work hard for our community, putting the needs of residents first," Danko said. 

In elected, she said her priorities will be to rebuild hospitals, connect residents to family doctors, get more housing built and invest in neighbourhood safety.