Kitchener Centre (Ontario) 142/338

 Kitchener Centre (Ontario)

Today we're in Kitchener Centre!

Kitchener Centre has existed as a riding since 1997, created from Kitchener and Waterloo. The population of the riding was 105,258 in 2016. The riding is in the city of Kitchener (233,222 in 2016, shared with 3 other ridings).  Kitchener Centre is part of the Waterloo Regional Municipality, the tenth largest census metropolitan area in Canada.

Politically, I'm sure you know what's coming. This seat was typically a Liberal/Conservative flipper, only going against the main two parties from 1968-1974 when NDP MP Max Saltsman's seat was drawn into this one. In 2019, Green candidate Mike Morrice surged into second place behind MP Raj Saini. During the 2021 election campaign, Raj Saini ended his campaign due to sexual harassment allegations, creating a tight three way race. The seat is currently held by Green MP Mike Morrice.

On the topic of Ontario Greens, let's look at their history provincially and where they could make an impact in five months. As of now, the Ontario Greens only hold one seat, that one being Guelph. The only riding where the Greens finished with more than 20% was Parry Sound—Muskoka, which has always been a reliably good seat for them, though never winning it. As for historical performance, the Greens finished second place in Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound in 2007 provincially and 2008 federally. While the election might not be one where the Ontario Greens can pick up another seat, it could be one where they build up their support (i.e. a 2007-type election). In 2019, this seat was 38/121 in Ontario and 105/338 in Canada by margin.

The name is perfect, it is the only riding that is purely Kitchener based. The shape is also good, it is the center of Kitchener. As for individuality, we love a seat that breaks that status quo. What should be interesting is seeing what happens in 202x (whenever the next election happens) when the Liberals put forward a candidate that stays in the running.

Tomorrow we're not too far with Kitchener—Conestoga!