Markham—Stouffville (Ontario) 174/338

 Markham—Stouffville (Ontario)

Today we're in York Region with Markham—Stouffville!

Markham—Stouffville has existed as a riding since the 2012 redistribution, created from Markham—Unionville and Oak Ridges—Markham. The population of the riding was 135,944 in 2021. The riding is in the city of Markham (338,503 in 2021) and the town of Whitchurch-Stouffville (49,864 in 2021).

Politically, like all of York Region, this riding is a Liberal/Conservative race. The Conservatives typically do best in the Whitchurch-Stouffville part of the riding, with the Liberals taking the edge in the Markham part of the riding. In 2019, former Liberal MP-turned Independent Jane Philpott received 20% in the riding, doing well in Whitchurch-Stouffville. This riding is currently held by Liberal MP and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario Helena Jaczek. 

Let's take a look at that ministerial portfolio. In Canada, we have seven federal regional development agencies focused on addressing economic challenges in each of the seven agencies: Atlantic Canada, Quebec, Southern Ontario, Northern Ontario, the Prairies, British Columbia, and the Territories. Each of these RDA's has a minister responsible, each of which is from their respective regions, barring Dan Vandal, who represents a Winnipeg riding and is responsible for the north. In 2019, this seat was 28/121 in Ontario and 84/338 in Canada by margin.

The name is very good, for obvious reasons. The shape is okay, I do wish it didn't wrap around the way it did. As for individuality, the riding is on par with most of the York Region.

Tomorrow we'll be back in Markham with Markham—Thornhill!