Niagara Falls (Ontario) 201/338

 Niagara Falls (Ontario)

Today we're in Niagara Falls!

Niagara Falls has existed as a riding since 1953. The population of the riding was 146,404 in 2021. The riding contains the communities of Niagara Falls (94,415 in 2021), Fort Erie (32,901 in 2021), and Niagara-on-the-Lake (19,088 in 2021). The riding grew by about 18,000 people since the 2011 Census, the most this far south in Ontario.

Politically, this seat has typically been a Liberal/Conservative swing district, but has had its moments of safety for each party. Between 1965 and 1988 the seat was represented by a new MP each election, for a total of seven MPs. While the conservative parties were divided from 1993-2000, the riding was won by the Liberals. As soon as the reunified, the riding went for the Conservatives, where it has been since. The seat is currently held by Conservative MP Tony Baldinelli.

From 1984-1993 and 2004-2019, the seat was represented by Conservative MP Rob Nicholson. When Kim Campbell became prime minister, she appointed Nicholson to be minister for science and small business. When the Harper Conservatives went into government, he was appointed Government House Leader. He held a few more cabinet positions after this, namely minister of justice, minister of defence, and minister of foreign affairs. In 2019, this seat was 9/121 and 28/338 in Canada by margin.

The name is great, central location, largest population centre, and a well known name. The shape is also good, I'm sure that it'll lose either Niagara-on-the-Lake or Fort Erie next redistribution. As for individuality, interesting that a riding so historically close has gotten more reliable in recent years.

Tomorrow we'll be a few ridings west with Niagara West!