Legislature House of Commons District created 1867 Last contested 2015 Province Nova Scotia | MP Andy Fillmore
Liberal First contested 1867 District webpage profile, map Elector 71,363 | |
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Census division Halifax Regional Municipality | ||
Halifax is a federal electoral district in Nova Scotia, Canada, is one of a handful of ridings which has been represented continuously (albeit with different boundaries) in the House of Commons since Confederation in 1867.
Contents
The riding of Halifax includes the communities of Spryfield, Sambro, Herring Cove, Harrietsfield, Williamswood, Prospect, Purcell's Cove, Armdale, Cowie Hill, Fairmount, Kline Heights, and the peninsula of Halifax.
History
The electoral district was created at Confederation in 1867. It returned two members until 1968.
The most notable of the riding's MPs was Robert Borden, who was Conservative leader from 1901–1920, and Prime Minister of Canada from 1911-1920. Borden represented the riding from 1896–1904 and again from 1909-1917. Another notable MP was Robert Stanfield, leader of the Progressive Conservative Party from 1967-1976, who represented the riding from 1968-1979.
Halifax was represented by the New Democratic Party from 1997 to 2015, with the Liberal Party coming in second in every election from 2000 to 2015. The riding's boundaries were re-distributed in 2004. Before that date, it comprised the peninsula of Halifax, the community of Fairview, and part of Clayton Park.
Alexa McDonough, who represented stepped down as NDP leader in 2003, but stayed on to represent Halifax in the House of Commons. McDonough ran for re-election against popular city councillor Sheila Fougere in 2004, who came within 1000 votes of beating the incumbent. McDonough pulled ahead based in part on a strong showing in Halifax's North End. On June 2, 2008, McDonough announced that she would not seek re-election.
Following the 2012 redistribution, the riding will be gaining a small part of the riding of Halifax West, on the eastern side of Long Lake Provincial Park.
Demographics
According to the Canada 2011 Census; 2013 representationEthnic groups: 84.4% White, 4.2% Black, 2.4% Chinese, 2.4% Arab, 2.2% Aboriginal, 1.4% South Asian
Languages: 87.5% English, 2.9% French, 2.0% Chinese, 2.0% Arabic
Religions: 61.1% Christian (28.8% Catholic, 9.4% Anglican, 8.0% United Church, 4.6% Baptist, 1.3% Presbyterian, 1.3% Christian Orthodox, 7.7% Other), 3.4% Muslim, 32.4% No religion
Median income (2010): $28,027
Average income (2010): $40,088
Geography
The district includes the old city of Halifax except for the extreme western part, the area along the west coast of Halifax Harbour and along the Atlantic Ocean until Pennant. It also includes Sable Island. The area is 231 km2.
Members of Parliament
This riding has elected the following Members of Parliament:
Halifax, 1968–2004
Changes for the Canadian Alliance from 1997 are based on the results of its predecessor, the Reform Party.
Changes for Marxist–Leninist candidate Tony Seed are based on his 1988 results, when he ran as an Independent.
Changes for Marxist–Leninist candidate Tony Seed are based on his results in 1972, when he ran unaffiliated.