Lakeland (Alberta) 151/338

 Lakeland (Alberta)

Today we're in rural Alberta with Lakeland!

Lakeland has existed as a riding from 1997-2004 and from 2015-present. The population of the riding was 105,993 in 2021 (happy Census day everyone). The population centers are Lloydminster (19,739 in 2021), Bonnyville (6,404 in 2021), and St. Paul (5,863 in 2021). The riding is named for the former county.

Politically, very strong Conservative/Reform/PC riding. One notable thing about this riding is that in 1993, this seat was the best performance for the PC's in rural Alberta, second best across the prairies, second only to Lisgar—Marquette. The reason for this? Unclear, but the PC's did well in Vegreville and Vermillion the year after, but that might be due to the local name recognition of Les Parsons (more on him later). This seat is currently held by Conservative MP Shannon Stubbs.

Les Parsons has never been elected to office before, but in my research for this riding, I found that he has quite a story. He first ran for office in Vegreville—Lloydminster in 1997 under Joe Clark's PC's. Post-CPC merger, he went to the Green Party of Canada, getting involved in the Quebec Green Party and being their Fitness and Sport critic. He ran in Wetaskiwin in 2008 as a Green, receiving 8.05% of the vote, performing quite well in Lacombe, where he resided. Granted, "well" is ~15%, but that's about the best you can ask for in rural Alberta. In 2019, this seat was 32/34 in Alberta and 336/338 in Canada by margin.

The name is good, in both a historical context and the fact that the land is covered in lakes. The shape is a little awkward, but props to them for keeping the counties intact. As for individuality, not super, but at least northeast Alberta has two women representing them, vs no other women in rural Alberta.

See you later today in Lambton—Kent—Middlesex!