Miramichi (electoral district)

Geography

The riding currently contains the entirety of Northumberland County, plus the Belledune area, several bedroom communities for Bathurst, and the area around Kouchibouguac National Park. The riding is mostly anglophone with a significant francophone minority.

The neighbouring ridings are Fredericton, Beauséjour, Acadie—Bathurst, Gaspésie—Îles-de-la-Madeleine, Madawaska—Restigouche, and Tobique—Mactaquac.

Northumberland/Northumberland—Miramichi

The riding was created in 1867 as "Northumberland" riding, but in 1914 the same name was given to a riding in Ontario. In 1955 this inconvenience was relieved by renaming the New Brunswick riding to "Northumberland—Miramichi". Until 1966, Northumberland—Miramichi consisted solely of Northumberland County, but due to declining populations, parts of northern Kent County, near present-day Kouchibouguac National Park, were added. In 1987, Northumberland—Miramichi was abolished when it was redistributed into Miramichi and Beauséjour ridings.

Miramichi

Miramichi riding was created in 1987 primarily from Northumberland—Miramichi riding, and incorporating parts of Acadie—Bathurst, Madawaska—Restigouche and York—Sunbury ridings.

Between 1987 and 1996, Miramichi also included a small part of York County, and in 2003, a large area to the north, including Allardville and Belledune, was added to the riding.

In 2004, there were legal problems regarding the 2003 boundaries. The following is from the Elections Canada website:

In May 2004, the Federal Court of Canada made its decision in Raîche v. Canada (Attorney General), concerning a portion of the electoral boundary between the ridings of Miramichi and Acadie—Bathurst. The Court held that, in transferring certain parts of parishes from the riding of Acadie–Bathurst to Miramichi, the Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission for New Brunswick erred in its application of the rules governing the preparation of its recommendations. The new boundaries commission was created under Part I of the Inquiries Act in response to this court decision.

The current boundaries reverted to the ones used in the 1996 representation after the 2006 election. As per the 2012 federal electoral redistribution, this riding will be dissolved, with most of its territory going to the new riding of Miramichi—Grand Lake, with some parts going to Acadie—Bathurst and Madawaska—Restigouche.

Federal riding associations

Riding associations are the local branches of the national political parties:

Members of Parliament

This riding elected the following Members of Parliament:

Miramichi, previous elections

Change for the Canadian Alliance from 1997 are based on the results of its predecessor, the Reform Party.

Northumberland, 1867 - 1957

Unionist candidate W.S. Loggie's change from 1911 is based on the Conservative Party's results. He personally had no change in vote percentage.

Change for Liberal candidate John Morrissy are based on the 1896 Liberal Party's results. His personal vote increased by 31.79% over his 1896 result running as an independent candidate.