| Jeff Burch | |
| Honorific-Suffix: | MPP |
| Office1: | Caucus Chair of the Ontario New Democratic Party |
| Term Start1: | July 13, 2022 |
| Leader1: | Peter Tabuns (interim) |
| Office2: | Critic, Municipal Affairs |
| Term Start2: | September 6, 2018 |
| Leader2: | Andrea Horwath and Peter Tabuns (interim) |
| Parliament3: | Ontario Provincial |
| Term Start3: | June 7, 2018 |
| Predecessor3: | Cindy Forster |
| Riding3: | Niagara Centre |
| Party: | New Democratic |
| Residence: | Thorold, Ontario |
| Occupation: | Non profit executive director / CEO, President of Steel Workers Union |
Jeff Burch is a Canadian politician, who was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario in the 2018 provincial election.[1] He represents the electoral district of Niagara Centre as a member of the Ontario New Democratic Party.
Prior to his election to the legislature Burch was the executive director of Niagara Folk Arts, a non–profit social services agency, and served as city councillor for Merritton Ward for St. Catharines City Council.
Jeff Burch is a graduate from Brock University, with an honours BA in philosophy. Burch then spent three years as a graduate student and teaching assistant at Brock, teaching seminars in social issues and women's studies. He left his studies in 1996 after being elected president of a United Steelworkers local union.[2]
Burch ran as the Ontario New Democratic Party's candidate in St. Catharines in 1995, losing to Liberal Jim Bradley. He was elected as a city councillor in St. Catharines, Ontario, in 2006. He served from 2006 to 2014, including four years as budget chair.[3] He ran for mayor of St. Catharines in 2014, losing to Walter Sendzik by fewer than 2000 votes.
In February 2018, Burch won the NDP nomination in Niagara Centre.[4] The riding has been an NDP stronghold for 44 years with Mel Swart, Peter Kormos and Cindy Forster holding the seat. On June 7, 2018, Burch won the seat.[5] Burch currently serves as the Official Opposition critic for Municipal Affairs[6] as well as the chair of the Official Opposition caucus.
Three months after his election in 2018, he scored a major victory by winning unanimous support for his motion to bring two-way all-day GO Transit rail service to Niagara.[7]
| Mayoral Candidate [8] | Vote | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walter Sendzik | 13,147 | 40.19 | |
| Jeff Burch | 11,321 | 34.61 | |
| Peter Secord | 6,571 | 20.09 | |
| Mark Stevens | 1,135 | 3.47 | |
| Jim Fannon | 535 | 1.64 |
| Candidate | Total votes | % of total vote | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jennie Stevens (X) | 2,294 | 32.96% | |
| Jeff Burch (X) | 2,064 | 29.66% | |
| David Haywood | 1,134 | 16.29% | |
| Garry Robbins | 817 | 11.74% | |
| Sam Sacco | 491 | 7.05% | |
| Cameron Alderdice | 160 | 2.30% | |
| Total valid votes | 6,960 | 100.00 |
| Candidate | Total votes | % of total vote | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jeff Burch | 2857 | 33.01% | |
| Jennie Stevens (X) | 2849 | 32.92% | |
| Sheila Morra (X) | 2049 | 23.68% | |
| Robbie Craine | 899 | 10.39% | |
| Total valid votes | 6,960 | 100.00 |