London West (Ontario) 163/338

 London West (Ontario)

Today we're back in London with London West!

London West has existed as a riding since 1968. The population of the riding was 139,305 in 2021. The riding is in the city of London and contains the neighbourhoods of Hyde Park, Oakridge, and Byron. The Thames River runs through the riding, roughly splitting the riding in half.

Politically, this seat has been mostly Liberal. The first time it went non-Liberal was from 1984-1993, when it was held by Mulroney/Campbell minister Tom Hockin. Due to a split opposition, the riding was safe for Sue Barnes from 1993-2006. In 2008, future London Mayor Ed Holder won this seat, holding it until losing it in 2015. This seat is currently held by Liberal MP Arielle Kayagaba.

On June 6th, 2021, tragedy hit this riding when a man rammed a family of five with his pickup truck, killing all but one, who was severely injured. According to London Police, the attack was motivated by anti-Muslim hatred. The tragedy sparked a national conversation around modern Islamophobia in Canada, with all parties in the House of Commons calling for "an emergency national action summit to tackle Islamophobia." In 2019, this seat was 58/121 in Ontario and 140/338 in Canada by margin.

The name is good, there is some confusion as West London is more based in London North Centre. The shape is also good, I really like the way the London ridings are shaped. As for individuality, having the current mayor be here previously is pretty cool, as well as the current MP being a former city councillor.

See you soon in London—Fanshawe!