Lanark—Frontenac—Kingston (Ontario) 153/338

 Lanark—Frontenac—Kingston (Ontario)

Today we're in Eastern Ontario with Lanark—Frontenac—Kingston!

Lanark—Frontenac—Kingston has existed as a riding since the 2012 redistribution. The population of the riding was 111,424 in 2021. The riding contains the communities of Mississippi Mills (14,740 in 2021), Carleton Place (13,940 in 2021), and Smiths Falls (9,517 in 2021). The riding contains the part of Kingston north of Highway 401.

Politically, this seat has been Conservative for a lot of it's existence. It was, like almost all of Ontario, Liberal from 1993-2004. Oddly enough, the Liberals were less than 1,000 votes behind the PC's in 1988, Bill Vankoughnet became one of only two PC's elected in 1988 from Eastern Ontario. This seat is currently held by Conservative MP Scott Reid.

I can't discuss this riding without discussing the MPP, Randy Hillier. Hillier was first elected to Queen's Park in 2007, beating Liberal Ian Wilson by just 820 votes. Hillier ran for the Ontario PC leadership in 2009, placing fourth behind Tim Hudak, Frank Klees, and Christine Elliot. In 2019, Hillier was ousted from caucus for "disrespectful comments to parents of children with autism". He has since become leader of the Ontario First Party, the provincial wing of the People's Party of Canada. In 2019, this seat was 92/121 in Ontario and 220/338 in Canada by margin.

The name is okay, a bit lengthy, but counties are tried and true. Not exactly a huge fan of the shape, Ontario likes to keep their counties together, so I can't fault them for that. As for individuality, not surprising for an eastern Ontario riding to be so Conservative. 

Tomorrow we'll be in Montreal with LaSalle—Émard—Verdun!

Langley—Aldergrove (British Columbia) 153/338

 Langley—Aldergrove (British Columbia)

Today we're in my home riding, Langley—Aldergrove!

Langley—Aldergrove has existed as a riding since the 2012 redistribution, created from Langley and Abbotsford. The population was 133,168 in 2021. The riding contains the Township of Langley (132,603 in 2021) as well as a small portion of Abbotsford. The riding is on the unceded territory of the Kwantlen, Katzie, Matsqui, and Semiahmoo peoples.

Politically, this seat has been Conservative since 1974. That isn't to say that it hasn't had its close calls. In the past 14 elections, the seat has been within 10 points in 1974 and 2015. That being said, the seat is solidly Conservative. Provincially, 2 of the 3 seats flipped from the BC Liberals to the BC NDP. Granted, one of those could've been attributed to vote-splitting with the BC Conservatives, but the MLA still swung the seat 14 points. This seat is currently held by Conservative MP Tako Van Popta. 

As this is my home riding, I wanted to do something special, so I settled on interviews. So, I reached out to six local political figures and thankfully three (from all three levels of government) got back to me. I gave them six questions and spoke with two of them. 

Here is a quick overview of our three interviewees:

Tako van Popta has been MP for Langley—Aldergrove since the 2019 election, winning a hotly contested nomination, including local Conservative activist Steve Schafer, who was endorsed by MP's Kerry-Lynne Findlay and Bob Zimmer.

Megan Dykeman has been MLA for Langley East since the 2020 election, winning a seat held by BC Liberal Cabinet Minister and Deputy Premier Rich Coleman. She previously served as a Langley School District Trustee.

Kim Richter has served on Langley Township Council since 1999, elected seven times. She has taught at Kwantlen Polytechnic University since 1993 as a full-time business management instructor. Richter has also run provincially for the BC NDP and federally for the Liberal Party of Canada.

Q: How long have you lived in Langley?

van Popta: Since I was 12 years old. (1965 if wikipedia is correct).

Dykeman: Since 2005.

Richter: I have lived in Langley Township for 35 years now. We moved here in 1986 from Calgary.

Q: What made you want to run for office in Langley? 

van Popta: In Grade 12, Mark Rose spoke about being a member of parliament, which inspired Tako to get involved in politics. Father spoke about politics often. Worked in municipal politics, helped get friends elected provincially (BC Liberals), worked with previous MP Mark Warawa, was on the Langley—Aldergrove EDA, fundraised, ran for the nomination in 2019 after Warawa announced he was retiring.

Dykeman: I adore my community, I was drawn into politics due to a significant deficit in our school district in 2010. They were looking at closing my child’s school. When discussing it with my father one night he said to me “You have not earned your right to complain, are you willing to be part of the solution?” so I put my name forward for the municipal election and ran.

Richter: In terms of municipal government office, my well kept running dry every summer and I had to pay to truck water in. I wanted to find out why the wells in my neighbourhood were doing this. I did find out the answer (long story short) and now the problem has been fixed. Provincially, I ran for the BC NDP in the 90's because of the health boards. They were all run by pro-life groups at the time and I wanted that to change. Federally, I was tired of Langley always electing Conservatives because these Conservative MP’s never bring any federal money back to Langley.

Q: How have you seen Langley grow since you’ve lived there?

van Popta: Langley used to be a farming community, auctions on Wednesday. There has been a population explosion, with Brookswood, Walnut Grove, Aldergrove, and now Willoughby.

Dykeman: Langley has a fast growing urban core, as well as a strong established rural community. We are one of the fastest growing communities in BC with growth of nearly 14% since 2016.

Richter: When I moved to Langley Township, the population was approximately 40,000. It is now over 130,000. The Township is one of the fastest growing municipalities in BC and has been for several years now.

Q: Favourite local business in Langley?

van Popta: Lots of great farms, Veronica’s Perogies, growing district on Willoughby Drive.

Dykeman: There are too many to list, I love to shop local!

Richter: I have many favourite businesses in Langley that I visit frequently. These include restaurants, clothing stores, salons, opticians, grocery stores, etc. I try to buy local as much as possible.

Q: Contribution to Langley that you’re proud of?

van Popta: Pressured the government on the Skytrain to Langley, made it all one big project rather than two smaller projects. Received the funding. Happy with across the aisle support for transit promises during the election.

Dykeman: This is a tie. I have been a 4H poultry leader in Langley for nearly 15 years. I also believe that education is one of the most important thing we can invest in, I offer through the Langley School District Foundation two scholarships for students who are thinking of entering into political or related studies.

Richter: Over 22 years of consecutive service as a Langley Township Councillor (local government), I have made many contributions to my community that I am proud of. My top 3 are: a 20-year Water Resources Management Strategy, a Tree-Protection Bylaw, and Full-Time Fire Service. 

Q: Where would you like to see Langley go in the next five years?

van Popta: Langley needs a sensible urban plan, we’re growing and be prepared. Would like to see skytrain built, as well as bus connections across the township, as well as expanding Highway 1 into Abbotsford.

Dykeman: Langley has a fast growing urban core, as well as a strong established rural community, we are the Horse Capital! As one of the fastest growing communities in BC with growth of nearly 14% since 2016, I would like to see our community balance the opportunity that growth brings, with the tradition and agricultural roots that make the TOL such a desirable place to live.

Richter: I’d like to see Langley become more focused on Climate Mitigation and Climate Resiliency. I want development to stop clear-cutting mature trees,  and tree canopy protection increased rather than lost. We need to take Climate Change more seriously. It needs to be considered in every action we take going forward.

Thank you for indulging in these interviews! In 2019, this seat was 33/42 in BC and 205/338 in Canada by margin.

The name is very good, I like that it acknowledges Aldergrove, as it straddles the border between Langley and Abbotsford. The shape is also very good, again, I like that they keep Aldergrove (and the surrounding area) intact. As for individuality, politically, not super, but as a hometown, it's one of a kind.

See everyone tomorrow in Lanark—Frontenac—Kingston!

Lambton—Kent—Middlesex (Ontario) 152/338

 Lambton—Kent—Middlesex (Ontario)

Today we're in Southwestern Ontario with Lambton—Kent—Middlesex!

Lambton—Kent—Middlesex has existed as a riding since 1997, created from Kent and Lambton—Middlesex. The population was 111,242 in 2021. The population centers are Strathroy (16,056 in 2021), Wallaceburg (10,323 in 2021), and Grand Bend (3,031 in 2021). There are also several sizeable indigenous nations in the riding: Walpole Island 46 (1,589 in 2016), Kettle Point 44 (1,233 in 2021), and Oneida 41 (1,282 in 2011).

Politically, this seat has taken a turn to the right on the ballot. It flipped each election from 1979-1988, until settling with the Liberals from 1993-2006. In 2006, the incumbent Liberal who barely held on the previous election retired, allowing for an easy Conservative pick up. The seat has gotten less Conservative recently, but that is with a split opposition. This seat is currently held by Conservative MP Lianne Rood. 

While the Liberals did hold the seat from 1993-2006, the seat was held by the mostly extinct (at least electorally) "Socially Conservative Liberal". Rose-Marie Ur was one of 32 Liberals to vote against the Civil Marriage Act, including Liberal neighbours Roger Gallaway and Paul Steckle. Her positions, along with the split on the right, helped her stay in office for thirteen years. In 2019, this seat was 93/121 in Ontario and 223/338 in Canada by margin.

The name is fine, Ontario loves their county names and I guess I can't fault them. The shape is meh, I'm not a huge fan of wrap-around ridings, but I guess there's no other way to fix it. As for individuality, it did stay Liberal longer than about half of southern Ontario.

Tomorrow we're in Eastern Ontario in Lanark—Frontenac—Kingston!

Lakeland (Alberta) 151/338

 Lakeland (Alberta)

Today we're in rural Alberta with Lakeland!

Lakeland has existed as a riding from 1997-2004 and from 2015-present. The population of the riding was 105,993 in 2021 (happy Census day everyone). The population centers are Lloydminster (19,739 in 2021), Bonnyville (6,404 in 2021), and St. Paul (5,863 in 2021). The riding is named for the former county.

Politically, very strong Conservative/Reform/PC riding. One notable thing about this riding is that in 1993, this seat was the best performance for the PC's in rural Alberta, second best across the prairies, second only to Lisgar—Marquette. The reason for this? Unclear, but the PC's did well in Vegreville and Vermillion the year after, but that might be due to the local name recognition of Les Parsons (more on him later). This seat is currently held by Conservative MP Shannon Stubbs.

Les Parsons has never been elected to office before, but in my research for this riding, I found that he has quite a story. He first ran for office in Vegreville—Lloydminster in 1997 under Joe Clark's PC's. Post-CPC merger, he went to the Green Party of Canada, getting involved in the Quebec Green Party and being their Fitness and Sport critic. He ran in Wetaskiwin in 2008 as a Green, receiving 8.05% of the vote, performing quite well in Lacombe, where he resided. Granted, "well" is ~15%, but that's about the best you can ask for in rural Alberta. In 2019, this seat was 32/34 in Alberta and 336/338 in Canada by margin.

The name is good, in both a historical context and the fact that the land is covered in lakes. The shape is a little awkward, but props to them for keeping the counties intact. As for individuality, not super, but at least northeast Alberta has two women representing them, vs no other women in rural Alberta.

See you later today in Lambton—Kent—Middlesex!

Lac-Saint-Louis (Quebec) 150/338

Lac-Saint-Louis (Quebec)

Today we're in Lac-Saint-Louis!

Lac-Saint-Louis has existed as a riding since 1997, created from Vaudreuil and Lachine—Lac-Saint-Louis. The population of the riding was 108,579 in 2016. The population centers are Pointe-Claire (31,380 in 2016), Kirkland (20,151 in 2016), and Beaconsfield (19,324 in 2016), it also contains part of Montreal.

Politically, this seat has been Liberal since 1993. Previous to this seat going to the Liberals, it was held by PC Minister Bob Layton (father of Jack Layton and grandfather of Mike Layton). He narrowly won the seat by just over 700 votes in 1988. The seat has been safe for the Liberals in all one election; the 2011 election was a three way race with just over 3,000 votes separating first from third. This seat is currently held by Liberal MP Francis Scarpaleggia.

The MP before Scarpaleggia was Clifford Lincoln. Lincoln was first elected to the Quebec National Assembly in 1981, holding the seat until 1989. He resigned in 1990 and ran in the Chambly by-election, which gave the NDP their first seat in Quebec. After losing, he suspended his campaign for the Liberal Party Leadership, which Jean Chretien went on to win. All told, he served federally from 1993-2000. In 2019, this seat was 77/78 in Quebec and 301/338 in Canada by margin.

The name is pretty good, there's no population center big enough so why not name it after the lake? The shape is also pretty good, I like that it is all one contiguous riding and doesn't cross Canal Sainte-Anne. As for individuality, not super individual, this part of Montreal is super Liberal and this doesn't buck that trend.

Tomorrow we're back in Alberta with Lakeland!

Lac-Saint-Jean (Quebec) 149/338

 Lac-Saint-Jean (Quebec)

Today we're in Lac-Saint-Jean! 

Lac-Saint-Jean has existed as a riding since 1925 to present, getting drawn out from 2004-2015. The population of the riding was 104,911 in 2016. The population centers are Alma (30,776 in 2016), Dolbeau-Mistassini (14,250 in 2016), and Saint-Félicien (10,238 in 2016). Previous to 1949, the riding was named Lake St. John/Lake St-John—Roberval.

Politically, this seat has gone through some wild swings, even for Quebec standards. First of all, the seat was a PC-Bloc Quebecois seat in 1993, which warranted a 60% Bloc swing. In 2007, the seat was taken back by the Conservatives with a 23% swing. In a 2017 by-election, the seat swung 20% to the Liberals, swinging 20% to the Bloc in the next general election. The seat is currently held by Bloc MP Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe.

One of the two MP's to represent this area in from 1988-1996 was Lucien Bouchard. Bouchard was a Mulroney cabinet minister, who either resigned or was fired by Mulroney (depends who you ask) after declaring himself a Quebec Sovereigntist. Bouchard formed the Bloc Québécois with seven other MP's at the time (five PC, two Liberal). In the subsequent federal election, the Bloc won 54 seats out of the 75 Quebec seats, forming the official opposition due to the Reform Party falling short by two seats. It should also be noted that Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe is the son of the first elected Bloc MP Gilles Duceppe. In 2019, this seat was 38/78 in Quebec and 173/338 in Canada by margin.

The name is really good, Lac Saint Jean is a name used for the region, the lake, and the historical counties. The shape is also pretty good, I like that they kept all the lakeshore communities together this time. As for individuality, it is interesting how often this seat has changed in unconventional ways.

Tomorrow we're in Montreal with Lac-Saint-Louis!

Labrador (Newfoundland and Labrador) 148/338

Labrador (Newfoundland and Labrador)

Today we're in Labrador!

Labrador has existed as a riding since 1949, the first election after Newfoundland joined Canada on March 31st of that year. The population of the riding was 27,197 in 2016. The riding contains the communities of Happy Valley-Goose Bay (8,109 in 2016), Labrador City (7,220 in 2016), and Nain (1,125 in 2016). The riding is the smallest in Canada by population.

Politically, this seat has been Liberal for almost the entire history of the riding. It has only gone non-Liberal twice. The first time was in 1968 when Robert Stanfield's PC's won all but one seat in Newfoundland. The next was a narrow victory for Peter Penashue in 2011, however he resigned and lost in the subsequent by-election after it was found that he spent more than allowed in the general election. The seat is currently held by Liberal MP Yvonne Jones.

Yvonne Jones won the seat in the 2013 by-election, defeating Penashue by over 1,800 votes. Jones had served in the Newfoundland House of Assembly from 1996 until her 2013 resignation, serving in Roger Grimes' cabinet. She became the leader of the Newfoundland and Labrador Liberal Party in 2007, one of only three Liberal MHA's at the time. She resigned due to her breast cancer recovery, but won her seat in the 2011 election. In 2019, this seat was 2/7 in Newfoundland and Labrador and 110/338 in Canada by margin.

The name is perfect, the seat has been purely Labrador since 1988. The shape is also perfect, I think it's good that remote northern communities get special interest/representation in the House of Commons. As for individuality, the fact that it has been Liberal for all but six years since 1949 is wild to me.

Tomorrow we're back in Quebec with Lac-Saint-Jean!