Hamilton Centre (Ontario) 122/338

 Hamilton Centre (Ontario)

Today we start our Hamilton adventure in Hamilton Centre!

Hamilton Centre has existed as a riding since 2004. The population of the riding was 100,103 in 2016. The riding contains the neighbourhoods of Strathcona, Beasley, and Gibson. The riding has the smallest population of the Hamilton ridings, losing 1,829 people between censuses. One factor is the lakeshore, which is heavily industrial with little to no residential housing.

Politically, this seat has been an NDP stronghold since 2004. Federally, the NDP hadn't historically been super strong here, but they have a base here provincially, winning at least one seat here in all but three elections since 1934. In 1988, the Liberals won this seat from the PC's, a seat they hadn't won since 1965, a sign of regrowth and a good election to come in five years. This seat is currently held by NDP MP Matthew Green.

Speaking of provincial politics, I'd be remiss if I didn't discuss Andrea Horwath. She actually first ran for this seat federally in 1997, losing pretty hard against incumbent Liberal Stan Keyes. In 2004, she won a by-election here, swinging the seat over 34 points in her favour. She has been leader of the Ontario NDP since 2009, increasing their popular vote performance in each subsequent election, leading up to the Ontario NDP forming the official opposition in 2018 for the first time since 1987. In 2019, this seat was 68/121 in Ontario and 164/338 in Canada by margin.

Rating:

Name: 10/10 - I have no notes.

Shape: 9.2/10 - Good non-offensive shape, not a huge fan of the sharp corner on the northeast.

Individuality: 5.4/10 - It would be nice if there was some variety and not just parking with one party for a few years.

Total: 24.6/30 (82%)

Tomorrow we're in Hamilton East—Stoney Creek!