 | ||
Canadian federal elections have provided the following results in the suburban sections of Durham and York Regions.
Regional profile
The region roughly conforms to the boundaries of the 905 Area Code (often referred to as the "905 belt"), and is populated predominantly by middle class, suburban voters. The area had been traditionally conservative, supporting the Mike Harris government at the provincial level and helping the PCs to win two majority governments. Support for the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation and the New Democratic Party, however, was heavy in the unionist city of Oshawa, especially when popular NDP leader Ed Broadbent held this seat from the late 1960s to late 1980s.
However, rapid growth of the Greater Toronto Area accompanied with an influx of immigrants and urban professionals turned the region a Liberal stronghold, similar to the outer areas of the City of Toronto. In particular, its provincial rejection of the Tories in 2003 helped to secure Dalton McGuinty's landslide majority.
In 2006, the Liberals easily held onto most of the seats, with the exception of Oshawa and Whitby—Oshawa. which were taken by the Conservatives. In 2008, the Conservatives gained another two seats, Thornhill and Oak Ridges—Markham, and in a 2010 by-election the riding of Vaughan. In 2011, the Conservatives took another 3 seats (Ajax-Pickering, Pickering-Scarborough East and Richmond Hill); leaving the Liberals with only Markham—Unionville.