The Canadian federal riding of Hamilton West was created when the old riding of Hamilton was split in 1904. It ceased to exist when Hamilton Centre and Ancaster—Dundas—Flamborough—Aldershot constituencies were created in 2003. There was a provincial riding of the same name and same borders (from 1999 to 2003).

The boundaries expanded ever eastward as the population centre did, but it always included the neighbourhoods of Westdale, downtown Hamilton

Notable incumbent MPs, their dates of service and cabinet service:

1. Adam Zimmerman , 1904-1908, Liberal
2. Thomas Joseph Stewart , 1908-1925, Conservative
3. Charles William Bell , 1925-1935, Conservative
4. Herbert Earl Wilton , 1935-1937, Conservative
5. John Allmond Marsh , 1937-1940, Conservative
6. Colin Gibson , 1940-1950, Liberal - cabinet minister
7. Ellen Fairclough, 1950-1963, Prog. Cons. - first woman cabinet minister
8. Joseph Macaluso , 1963-1968, Liberal
9. Lincoln Alexander, 1968-1980, Prog. Cons. - first black MP and cabinet minister
10. Stan Hudecki , 1980-1984, Liberal
11. Peter Peterson , 1984-1988, Prog. Cons.
12. Stan Keyes, 1988-2004, Liberal, cabinet minister

MPPs

1. Ada Pritchard Prog. Cons. (1967-1971)
2. John McNie , Prog. Cons. (1971-1975)
3. Stuart Smith, Liberal (1975-1982)
4. Richard Alexander Allen , N.D.P. (1982-1995)
5. Lillian Ross, Prog. Cons. (1995-1999)
6. David Christopherson, N.D.P. (1999-2003)
7. Judy Marsales, Liberal (2003-present)