Central Okanagan—Similkameen—Nicola (British Columbia) 61/338

Central Okanagan—Similkameen—Nicola 

(British Columbia)

Today we're in Central Okanagan—Similkameen—Nicola!

Central Okanagan—Similkameen—Nicola has existed as a riding since the 2012 redistribution. Most of the population lives along Okanagan Lake, with West Kelowna (32,665 in 2016), Summerland (8,742 in 2016), and Kelowna (151,957 in 2016, shared with Kelowna—Lake Country). While Merritt only has a population of about 5,000, the city is the convergence of four highways, 5, 5A, 8, and 97C.

Politically, the riding is not as safe as you'd think. In 2015, the Liberal candidate Karley Scott was within 1,500 votes. Whether it was the national sentiment or the fact that the candidate had lived in West Kelowna as a lawyer and federal public servant, it was a 27 point swing nonetheless. The riding is currently represented by Conservative MP Dan Albas.

One of the predecessor ridings, Okanagan—Coquihalla, was the leader of the Canadian Alliance, Stockwell Day's, riding. Day had served as an MLA in Alberta before moving to federal politics. After the reunification of the federal Conservative Parties, he served in the Harper cabinet as Minister of Public Safety and Minister of International Trade. In 2019, the riding was 34/42 in BC and 215/338 in Canada by margin.

Rating:

Name: 4.2/10 - I know the riding is large, but I feel West Okanagan would suffice.

Shape: 5.7/10 - I'll give the riding the benefit of the doubt, it is a mountainous area that could be necessary to draw that way.

Individuality: 7.4/10 - I like how big it swung and it's cool that a riding can be equally urban and rural and competitive.

Total:  17.3/30 (57.7%)

See you tomorrow in Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint Charles!