London North Centre (Ontario) 162/338

 London North Centre (Ontario)

Today we're in London North Centre!

London North Centre has existed as a riding since 1997, initially named London—Adelaide. The population of the riding was 138,255 in 2021. The riding is in the city of London and contains the neighbourhoods of Masonville, Carling, and Stoneybrook. The riding also contains the University of Western Ontario.

Politically, this seat has been Liberal for much of its existence, but not always reliably Liberal. It was won with over 50% in 1997 and 2000 with a pretty weak opposition. However, with the Conservative merger of 2003, the riding got much more competitive, especially with the rising NDP. This culminated in the Conservatives winning the seat in 2011 by over 1,650 votes. The seat is currently held by Liberal MP Peter Fragiskatos. 

From 1987-2006, this seat was represented by Joe Fontana. Fontana was minister of Labour in Paul Martin's government, even rumoured to run for the Liberal leadership, but ultimately deciding not to. In 2010, Fontana narrowly beat out incumbent mayor Anne Marie DeCicco-Best, serving as mayor of London until June 19, 2014, when he stepped down due to criminal charges. In 2019, this seat was 71/121 in Ontario and 176/338 in Canada by margin.

The name is fine, I wish that it had a neighbourhood name, but cardinal directions are fine. The shape is also pretty good, it is almost surely getting smaller next time around with how much it's growing. As for individuality, the mayor of London serving here is pretty cool.

Tomorrow we're still in London with London—Fanshawe!