Halifax West (Nova Scotia) 121/338

 Halifax West (Nova Scotia)

Today we're in Halifax West!

Halifax West has existed as a riding since 1979, created from Halifax—East Hants. The population of the riding was 96,255 in 2016. The riding contains the communities of Bedford, Fairview, and Rockingham. The riding has grown 10% between censuses, particularly in the Bedford area, and has become the most populated riding in the province, just ahead of Halifax.

Politically, this seat has been Liberal since 2000, but hasn't necessarily been safe. In 1997, it went NDP with the other Halifax seats, but former MP Geoff Regan took it back in 2000, only really being in danger of losing the seat in 2000 and 2011. The NDP were in second from 2000-2008, but the Conservatives took second from 2011-2019, but the NDP took second place back in 2021. The seat is currently represented by Liberal MP Lena Diab.

The previous MP Geoff Regan held the seat for 24 years non-consecutively. He was a parliamentary secretary under Chrétien, becoming Minister of Fisheries under Paul Martin in 2003, staying the portfolio until the Liberals lost power. He was elected Speaker of the House of Commons in 2015, the first Speaker from the Atlantic since 1922. In 2019, this seat was 11/11 in Nova Scotia and 257/338 in Canada by margin.

Rating:

Name: 8.3/10 - Pretty good, a little lazy, wish there was some reference to Bedford.

Shape: 7.8/10 - I guess the rural parts made sense when the riding had less people.

Individuality: 4.1/10 - Pretty typical urban Atlantic seat, Speaker of the House helps.

Total: 20.2/30 (67.3%)

Tomorrow we start our Hamilton adventure in Hamilton Centre!