London—Fanshawe (Ontario) 164/338

 London—Fanshawe (Ontario)

Today we're in London—Fanshawe!

London—Fanshawe has existed as a riding since 1993, created from London East and London—Middlesex. The population of the riding was 127,068 in 2021. The riding is in the city of London and contains the neighbourhoods of Argyle, Huron Heights, and Glen Cairn. This riding only grew 6.4%, compared to over 10% in the other two urban London ridings.

Politically, this seat has taken a turn to the left in recent years. In 1988, the seat was won by the PC's by a mere 8 votes, making it an easy pickup in 1993. The seat was Liberal until 2006, when the NDP picked it up, staying with Irene Mathyssen, former Rae cabinet minister, until she retired in 2019. This seat is currently held by NDP MP Lindsay Mathyssen. 

Similar to other Chrétien-era southern Ontario Liberal MP's, former MP Pat O'Brien is known for his socially conservative positions. Pat O'Brien was very critical of Prime Minister Paul Martin for not allowing a free vote on same-sex marriage. Eventually, he left the party in 2005 over the Sponsorship Scandal as well as his positions on same-sex marriage. In 2019, this seat was 52/121 in Ontario and 131/338 in Canada by margin.

The name is good, Fanshawe is in the north of the riding, and while not very populous, is historically important to the city. The shape is also nice, I like that it hugs London North Centre, creating a backwards "L". As for individuality, you don't see too many daughters succeeding mothers in the House of Commons.

Tomorrow we'll be back in Newfoundland and Labrador with Long Range Mountains!