New Westminster—Coquitlam

Demographics

Ethnic groups: 69.7% White, 10.4% Chinese, 3.9% South Asian, 3.3% Korean, 3.1% Filipino, 2.3% Aboriginal, 1.8% West Asian, 1.3% Black, 1.2% Latin American, 1.0% Japanese
Languages: 66.3% English, 1.6% French, 31.9% Other
Religion: (2001) No religion 34.1%, Protestant 29.1%, 22.0% Catholic, Christian Orthodox 2.0%, Other Christian 5.7%, Muslim 2.5%, Buddhist 1.7%
Average income: $28,241

The riding has the highest percentage of people who work outside the municipality, but within the same census division in Canada.

Geography

The district consists of the eastern part of New Westminster, the southwestern part of Coquitlam and the southern part of Port Moody.

The NDP finds much of its support in New Westminster, Port Moody and in the Maillardville part of Coquitlam. The Conservatives find most of their support in the more suburban parts of Coquitlam.

History

This electoral district was first created in 1976 from New Westminster and Fraser Valley West ridings.

It was abolished in 1987 when it was redistributed between New Westminster—Burnaby and Port Moody—Coquitlam ridings.

It was re-created in 2003 from New Westminster—Coquitlam—Burnaby and Port Moody—Coquitlam—Port Coquitlam ridings.

It is currently the longest-held riding by non-government parties as both it and its predecessor ridings New Westminster—Coquitlam—Burnaby, New Westminster—Burnaby and New Westminster have not been represented by a member of the government side since 1968.

The 2012 electoral redistribution will dissolve this riding into the ridings of Port Moody—Coquitlam and New Westminster—Burnaby for the 2015 election.

Members of Parliament

This riding has elected the following Members of Parliament: