Etobicoke North (Ontario) 106/338

 Etobicoke North (Ontario) 

Today we're finishing off our Etobicoke adventure with Etobicoke North!

Etobicoke North has existed as a riding since 1979, created from Etobicoke and York West. The population was 118,040 in 2016. The riding contains the neighbourhoods of Rexdale, Kingsview Village, and Willowridge. This riding is far more diverse than the other Etobicoke ridings, which each are around 27% visible minority. Etobicoke North at last census was 76% visible minority, with South Asians and Black Canadians each taking up around a quarter each.

Politically, this seat is one of the safest Liberal seats in the province. Held by the Liberals since 1988, they've only fallen below the 50% mark three times: 1988, 2008, and 2011. The last time the seat was remotely competitive was in 2011 when the Conservatives were just over 10 points behind, a good majority of their support was in the southern half of the riding, but it was still a far reach for them. This seat is currently represented by Liberal MP Kirsty Duncan.

This seat is home to Progressive Conservative leader and Premier Doug Ford. Doug Ford isn't the first politician in his family, his father was member of Provincial Parliament from 1995 to 1999, and his brother Rob Ford was the mayor of Toronto from 2010 to 2014. Doug Ford led the Ontario Progressive Conservatives to a majority government in 2018 after not being in government for 15 years. In 2019, this seat was 118/121 in Ontario and 291/338 in Canada by margin.

Rating:

Name: 9.7/10 - I mean, yeah. Maybe incorporating Rexdale would be cool, but the riding name is fine as is.

Shape: 8.2/10 - I really like the shape actually, minor nitpicks: please follow the roads, don't just go with whatever straight lines are present.

Individuality: 7.7/10 - Props to Doug Ford and Kirsty Duncan for proving that ridings can be interesting.

Total: 25.6/30 (85.3%)

Tomorrow we're in Greater Hamilton with Flamborough—Glanbrook!

Etobicoke Lakeshore (Ontario) 105/338

Etobicoke—Lakeshore (Ontario) 

Today we're in Toronto with Etobicoke—Lakeshore!

Etobicoke—Lakeshore has existed since 1968, initially named Lakeshore, then Toronto—Lakeshore. The population of the riding was 129,081 in 2016. The riding includes the neighbourhoods and former municipalities of Mimico, Long Branch, and New Toronto. The riding is 21% Eastern European, which is double the provincial proportion of 10%.

Politically, fairly solid Liberal riding, however, the most a candidate has received here in the past 50 years is the 2015 election when James Maloney won with 53.7%. The riding was won by the Conservatives in 2011, the Progressive Conservatives in 1984 and 1988, and the NDP in 1972, but it really has been Liberal territory for the better part of 50 years. The seat is represented by Liberal MP James Maloney.

As you may know, Michael Ignatieff represented this riding from 2006-2011, winning the Liberal leadership on May 2nd, 2009, exactly two years before the next federal election. That federal election did not go well for the Liberals, with over half their caucus defeated and Ignatieff himself losing his seat. After politics, Ignatieff worked at University of Toronto and later Harvard University. In 2019, this seat was 90/121 in Ontario and 218/338 in Canada by margin.

Rating:

Name: 8.6/10 - I really like the name! I'd prefer neighbourhood names, but it's not awful.

Shape: 6.1/10 - I understand that it follows rivers and the lake, but the north is just gross to me.

Individuality: 4.1/10 - Despite the surprise wins elsewhere, this seat is really just another Toronto seat.

Total: 18.8/30 (62.7%)

See you soon in Etobicoke North!

Etobicoke Centre (Ontario) 104/338

 Etobicoke Centre (Ontario)

Today we're in Toronto with Etobicoke Centre!

Etobicoke Centre has existed as a riding since 1979. The population of the riding was 118,022 in 2016. The riding contains the neighbourhoods of Richview, Princess Gardens, and Humber Valley Village. The riding is in the former city of Etobicoke, which was amalgamated into the city of Toronto in 1998.

Politically, the riding is as "suburban GTA" as it gets. Solidly Liberal since 1993, getting closer in 2008 and narrowly flipping in 2011, and swinging back in 2015 by a huge margin. In 2011, this seat was decided by only 26 votes, with the Ontario Superior Court throwing out the results, declaring that it was too close. However, it was certified after the Supreme Court of Canada got involved and declared the Conservative the winner. This seat is currently held by Liberal MP Yvan Baker.

Continuing with the trend of former cabinet ministers, this seat had a cabinet minister from 1984-2002. First, Michael Wilson was finance minister from 1984-1991 and was instrumental in the introduction of GST and NAFTA negotiations. Allan Rock was the MP after Michael Wilson, serving as justice minister, introducing legislation to amend the Criminal Code and the Canadian Human Rights Act. In 2019, this seat was 67/121 in Ontario and 163/338 in Canada by margin.

Rating:

Name: 8.2/10 - Pretty good, I'd prefer Etobicoke-Neighbourhood name, but it's fine.

Shape: 6.5/10 - I guess it's fine, it just is messy and I understand that those are the municipal boundaries, but that doesn't mean I like them.

Individuality: 7.1/10 - Politically, not that interesting, but we do love notable cabinet ministers.

Total: 21.8/30 (72.7%)

Tomorrow we're one riding south in Etobicoke Lakeshore!

Essex (Ontario) 103/338

 Essex (Ontario) 

Today we're in Southwestern Ontario with Essex!

Essex has existed as a riding since 1867, getting redrawn multiple times with cardinal names (Essex North, Essex South, etc.), before returning to a single riding in 1968. The population of the riding was 125,442 in 2016. The population centers are Lakeshore (36,611 in 2016), LaSalle (30,180 in 2016), and Amherstburg (21,936 in 2016).

Politically, this seat has gone through some phases. From 1968-2004, it was represented by Liberals, save nine years when the NDP held it. In 2004, the Conservative reign began with Jeff Watson winning by just 829 votes. The NDP took the riding back in 2015 after sneaking into second place the previous election, but have lost it the past two elections to the Conservatives. The seat is currently represented by Conservative MP Chris Lewis.

The last Liberals to hold the riding were Eugene Whelan from 1968-1984 and Susan Whelan from 1993-2004, who became the first father-daughter pair to serve in cabinet. Eugene Whelan served as minister of agriculture under Pierre Trudeau, and his close relationship with Aleksandr Yakovlev was a catalyst for perestroika. Susan Whelan served as minister of international cooperation under Jean Chrétien. In 2019, this seat was 21/121 in Ontario and 66/338 in Canada by margin.

Rating:

Name: 9.8/10 - Literally perfect. Parts of Essex are in other ridings though... so, not quite perfect.

Shape: 8.9/10 - Again, almost perfect, but I'm not a huge fan on the ridge on the east.

Individuality: 9.7/10 - It's got everything: cabinet ministers, political realignment, still swinging, we love you Essex.

Total: 28.4/30 (94.7%)

Tomorrow we're in Toronto with Etobicoke Centre!

Esquimalt—Saanich—Sooke (British Columbia) 102/338

 Esquimalt—Saanich—Sooke (British Columbia)

Today we're on Vancouver Island with Esquimalt—Saanich—Sooke!

Esquimalt—Saanich—Sooke has existed as a riding since the 2012 redistribution. The population was 120,834 in 2016. The population centers are Saanich (114,148 in 2016, shared with Saanich—Gulf Islands), Esquimalt (17,655 in 2016), and Colwood (16,859 in 2016). The riding was intended to be named Saanich—Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca, but was amended in the final stages.

Politically, this seat has gone through some shifts. Held by former premier Dave Barrett until 1993, it was won by Reform MP Keith Martin, who held the seat and won it under Reform, Alliance, and Liberal banners until 2011 when he retired, at which point it was narrowly won by the NDP. This seat is currently held by NDP MP Randall Garrison.

Randall Garrison ran twice in this seat before winning, getting around 31% of the vote in 2006 and 2008, but ultimately losing to Keith Martin. His first three wins were tight, with 2015 and 2019 being just 8 points ahead of David Merner, fifth place finisher in the 2020 Green Party Leadership race and former president of the Liberal Party of Canada's BC wing. In 2019, this seat was 14/42 in BC and 73/338 in Canada by margin.

Rating:

Name: 5.7/10 - All accurate names, that's not the issue. The issue is the length, and I kind of wish they kept the Juan de Fuca part of it.

Shape: 4.8/10 - Controversial take: this shape is gross. It just swoops in the wrong direction and is a bit too long for my liking. Also why didn't they just make Langford part of it and avoid the length?

Individuality: 6.7/10 - Shoutout to the riding for electing different parties in the past twenty years and also being the last Liberal seat on Vancouver Island.

Total: 17.2/30 (57.3%)

Tomorrow we're in Southwestern Ontario with Essex!

Elmwood—Transcona (Manitoba) 101/338

 Elmwood—Transcona (Manitoba) 

Today we're in Winnipeg with Elmwood—Transcona!

Elmwood—Transcona has existed as a riding since 1988, created from Winnipeg North Centre and Winnipeg—Birds Hill. The population of the riding was 92,738 in 2016. The riding contains the neighbourhoods of Rossmere, Valley Gardens, and Transcona. The eastern part of the riding around Transcona used to be a separate municipality until it was amalgamated into the city of Winnipeg.

Politically, this riding is pretty consistently NDP. Since 1968, the seat has been represented by an NDP MP, with some exceptions. In 1974, it was won by Progressive Conservative Dean Whiteway. In 2011, the seat was won by Conservative MP Lawrence Toet by just 300 votes. He lost it in 2015 by just 61 votes, and was very out of reach in 2019 when he tried again. The seat is currently represented by NDP MP Daniel Blaikie.

Daniel Blaikie comes from somewhat of a political dynasty in Manitoba and within the NDP. His father Bill Blaikie served as an MP for almost 29 years, serving as NDP house leader from 1996-2003. He placed second in the 2003 NDP leadership election. His sister Rebecca Blaikie served as the president of the party from 2011-2016, before that serving as the executive director of the Quebec wing of the party, she was instrumental in Thomas Mulcair's 2007 by-election win. In 2019, this seat was 4/14 in Manitoba and 81/338 in Canada by margin.

Rating:

Name: 9.2/10 - I love neighbourhood names!

Shape: 6.7/10 - Okay shape, not a huge fan of the appendages.

Individuality: 7.6/10 - Dynasty seats are pretty cool, and consistency is pretty good.

Total: 23.5/30 (78.3%)

See you tomorrow in Esquimalt—Saanich—Sooke!

Elgin—Middlesex—London (Ontario) 100/338

 Elgin—Middlesex—London (Ontario)

Today we're in our 100th riding with Elgin—Middlesex—London!

Elgin—Middlesex—London has existed as a riding since 1997. The population of the riding was 115,052 in 2016. The population centers are St. Thomas (38,909 in 2016), Aylmer (7,492 in 2016), as well as a small portion of London (383,822 in 2016, shared with three other ridings). The riding is named for Elgin and Middlesex counties, as well as the city of London.

Politically, this is one of the most Conservative ridings in Ontario, being the most Conservative in Southwestern Ontario in 2019. This riding was where Chelsea Hillier, daughter of MPP Randy Hillier, ran a PPC candidate, netting almost 7500 votes. So, despite the Conservatives falling below 50% of the vote this election, there was still over 60% of the vote going to a right of center candidate. The riding is currently represented by Karen Vecchio. 

Karen Vecchio worked as an aide to former MP Joe Preston, who was elected mayor of St. Thomas in 2018. After elected, she was appointed official opposition critic for families, children, and social development. In the newly published shadow cabinet, she is in the women and gender equality and youth critic portfolio, her previous role is now covered by new MP Laila Goodridge. In 2019, this seat was 99/121 in Ontario and 240/338 in Canada by margin.

Rating:

Name: 6.5/10 - Generally a good name, I don't think London is necessary, I'd be okay with just Elgin—Middlesex.

Shape: 4.2/10 - I really don't like the shape, I understand that it has to do with municipal boundaries, but it still isn't that good.

Individuality: 4.8/10 - Karen Vecchio has an interesting story and Joe Preston is also pretty cool, but a pretty typical southwestern Ontario riding.

Total: 15.5/30 (51.7%)

Tomorrow we're in Winnipeg with Elmwood—Transcona!