Labrador (electoral district)

Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador electoral district

Labrador in relation to other Newfoundland and Labrador ridings (2003 boundaries)
Federal electoral district
Legislature House of Commons
MP
 
 		 

Yvonne Jones
Liberal

District created 1949
First contested 1949
Last contested 2015
District webpage profile, map
Demographics
Population (2011)[1] 26,728
Electors (2015) 19,917
Area (km²)[1] 294,330
Pop. density (per km²) 0.09
Census divisions Division No. 10, Division No. 11
Census subdivisions Cartwright, Charlottetown, Division No. 10, Subdivision A, Division No. 10, Subdivision B, Division No. 10, Subdivision C, Division No. 10, Subdivision D, Division No. 10, Subdivision E, Division No. 11, Subdivision C, Division No. 11, Subdivision E, Forteau, Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Hopedale, Labrador City, L'Anse-au-Clair, L'Anse-au-Loup, Makkovik, Mary's Harbour, Nain, Natuashish, North West River, Pinware, Port Hope Simpson, Postville, Red Bay, Rigolet, Sheshatshiu, St. Lewis, Wabush, West St. Modeste

Labrador (formerly known as Grand Falls—White Bay—Labrador and Grand Falls—White Bay) is a federal electoral district in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, that has been represented in the House of Commons of Canada since 1949.

The riding covers all of Labrador and with just 26,000 people located in the riding it is the least populous in Canada.[2] From 2005 to 2011, the riding was represented by Liberal MP Todd Russell. He was defeated by Conservative Peter Penashue in the 2011 federal election. Following allegations of irregularities in his campaign spending, Penashue announced on March 14, 2013 that he would resign his seat and run again as a candidate in a new by-election.[3][4] Penashue subsequently lost the by-election to Liberal candidate Yvonne Jones.

Demographics

This riding is the least populous in Canada. Citing the region's highly distinct identity and seeing it as a community of interest they have the legal duty to respect, successive electoral boundary commissions have used their ability to make exceptions to the general electoral quotient to maintain Labrador as a separate riding.

In earlier representation orders, it was joined with communities on the Great Northern Peninsula of the island of Newfoundland.

Ethnic groups: 65.1% White, 34.9% Native Canadian
Languages: 90.0% English, 1.7% French, 7.3% Other
Religions: 67.4% Protestant, 28.4% Catholic, 3.4% No affiliation
Average income: $27 138

Geography

The district includes all of Labrador, including Belle Isle, North and South Aulatsivik Island.

The neighbouring ridings are Nunavut, Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik—Eeyou, Manicouagan, and Humber—St. Barbe—Baie Verte.

According to Elections Canada, the boundaries of this riding for the 39th General Election (2006) are:

"Consisting of all that part of the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador known as Labrador, including Belle Isle."

See the map of the Labrador riding.

History

The electoral district was created in 1949 upon the admission of Newfoundland to Canada. Between 1949 and 1988, this district was attached to the Island of Newfoundland, where more than half of its electorate resided. Liberal MP Bill Rompkey held the seat from 1972 till his appointment to the Canadian Senate in 1995. Lawrence O'Brien was later elected in a by-election and held the district until his death in 2004.

A by-election was held on May 24, 2005, with the result tipping the balance of the evenly split 38th Parliament. The Liberal candidate, Todd Russell, who was heavily favoured, ended up winning, but with a reduced percentage from the 2004 election.

On December 16, 2004, MP Lawrence O'Brien died of cancer, the next year Prime Minister Paul Martin called a by-election for May 24, 2005. There was a possibility the by-election would not be held because of a non-confidence vote the week prior. The non-confidence vote would have toppled the government sending Canadians to the polls, which would have superseded the by-election. However, the motion failed by one vote, ensuring the by-election.

The seat has traditionally been a Liberal stronghold, and O'Brien always carried the riding with comfortable pluralities. However, the federal Liberals had lost popularity in Atlantic Canada since the 2004 federal election largely because of disputes with the Progressive Conservative provincial governments of these provinces, especially that of Newfoundland and Labrador over the relationship between offshore oil revenues and equalization payments.

Historically, governing parties fare poorly in federal by-elections. However, this by-election was especially significant because of the make-up of the 38th Canadian Parliament. Following the 2004 election, the Liberals and the New Democratic Party held 154 seats together, or exactly half of the 308-seat House of Commons. After Liberal MP Carolyn Parrish was expelled from that party, the two parties' combined total (prior to O'Brien's death) had been reduced to 153 (or 152 who are eligible to vote since the Speaker was elected as a Liberal). The Liberals were anxious to retain the seat, as its loss would have left the opposition Conservative Party of Canada or the Bloc Québécois as the only viable partners for the Liberals to get legislation passed in the House. Former Liberal MP David Kilgour had left the party, further reducing its strength.

Since the general election, it had been suggested that the New Democratic Party refrain from contesting by-elections in seats where the Liberals were strong but the NDP are not, to avoid splitting the vote and thus help improve the chances securing a better position for the NDP in the House. Labrador would certainly be a prime example of such a seat — the NDP finished a distant fourth in the 2004 election. However, historically the NDP has been adamant in contesting all by-elections, and NDP leader Jack Layton showed little interest in any such proposal. The NDP nominated Frances Fry on April 23 feeling it had a chance in this seat because of the Liberal fall in polls and the fact that the provincial NDP had one of its two seats in Labrador.

In the end, the Liberals picked up an easy victory, as expected, but while their actual vote total did not go down by much, their percentage of the vote went down over 10 points from the previous election as turnout was over 9% more than in the 2004 election. This high turnout is virtually unheard of for by-elections which normally have extremely poor turnouts. The additional voters appear to have been brought out by the tense national political situation and mostly voted for the Conservatives who picked up nearly 17 percentage points and the New Democrats who also increased their vote total.

Members of Parliament

This riding has elected the following Members of Parliament:

Parliament Years Member Party
Grand Falls—White Bay
21st  1949–1953     Thomas Gordon William Ashbourne Liberal
Grand Falls—White Bay—Labrador
22nd  1953–1957     Thomas Gordon William Ashbourne Liberal
23rd  1957–1958
24th  1958–1962 Charles Granger
25th  1962–1963
26th  1963–1965
27th  1965–1966
 1966–1968 Andrew Chatwood
28th  1968–1972     Ambrose Peddle Progressive Conservative
29th  1972–1974     Bill Rompkey Liberal
30th  1974–1979
31st  1979–1980
32nd  1980–1984
33rd  1984–1988
Labrador
34th  1988–1993     Bill Rompkey Liberal
35th  1993–1996
 1996–1997 Lawrence O'Brien
36th  1997–2000
37th  2000–2004
38th  2004–2004
 2005–2006 Todd Russell
39th  2006–2008
40th  2008–2011
41st  2011–2013     Peter Penashue Conservative
 2013–2015     Yvonne Jones Liberal
42nd  2015–Present

Election results

Labrador, 2013 Representation Order

The 2012 federal electoral boundaries redistribution concluded that the electoral boundaries of Labrador should be preserved with no boundary changes for future elections.[5]

Canadian federal election, 2015
Party Candidate Votes%∆%Expenditures
LiberalYvonne Jones 8,878 71.75 +23.76 (+32.69) –
New DemocraticEdward Rudkowski 1,779 14.38 –4.81 (-5.45) –
ConservativePeter Penashue 1,716 13.87 –18.53 (-25.94) –
Total valid votes/Expense limit 12,373100.00 $204,293.51
Total rejected ballots 530.43–0.42
Turnout 12,42662.39+4.40
Eligible voters 19,917
Liberal hold Swing +14.29
Source: Elections Canada[6][7]

^ Change is from by-election. Change from 2011 in brackets.

Labrador, 2003 Representation Order

Canadian federal by-election, May 13, 2013
Party Candidate Votes%∆%Expenditures
Liberal Yvonne Jones 5,812 47.99 +8.92 $76,859.63
Conservative Peter Penashue 3,924 32.40 −7.41 $70,866.91
New Democratic Harry Borlase 2,324 19.19 −0.64 $81,475.53
Libertarian Norman Andrews 50 0.41   $236.16
Total valid votes/Expense Limit 12,110 100.0   –   $ 89,852.84
Total rejected, declined and unmarked ballots 27 0.22 −0.26  
Turnout 12,137 59.93 +6.49  
Eligible voters 20,251      
Liberal gain from Conservative Swing +8.17
Called on the resignation of Peter Penashue, March 14, 2013
Source: "By-election May 13, 2013". Elections Canada. May 13, 2013. Retrieved December 14, 2013. 
Canadian federal election, 2011
Party Candidate Votes%∆%Expenditures
Conservative Peter Penashue 4,256 39.81 +31.84 $89,997.05
Liberal Todd Russell 4,177 39.07 −31.21 $30,016.49
New Democratic Jacob Larkin 2,120 19.83 +1.98 $29,968.41
Green George C.R. Barrett 139 1.30 −2.61 $0.00
Total valid votes/Expense Limit 10,692 100.0   –   $84,468.09
Total rejected, declined and unmarked ballots 520.48−0.37
Turnout 10,74452.91 +14.31
Eligible voters 20,305
Conservative gain from Liberal Swing +31.52
Conservative candidate Peter Penashue was found to have spent above the mandated expense limit, precipitating his resignation and subsequent by-election.
Sources:[8] [9]
Canadian federal election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes%∆%Expenditures
LiberalTodd Russell 5,426 70.28 +19.75 $26,887
New DemocraticPhyllis Artiss 1,378 17.85 +8.77 $5,886
ConservativeLacey Lewis 615 7.97 -31.70 $15,728
Green Nyssa Christine McLeod 302 3.91 +3.19 none listed
Total valid votes/Expense limit 7,721100.0  –$81,667
Total rejected, declined and unmarked ballots 66 0.85 +0.40
Turnout 7,78738.60-19.8
Eligible voters 20,175
Liberal hold Swing +5.49
Canadian federal election, 2006
Party Candidate Votes%∆%Expenditures
LiberalTodd Russell 5,768 50.53 -0.95 $40,903.10
ConservativeJoe Goudie 4,528 39.67 +7.34 $36,381.98
New DemocraticJacob Edward Larkin 1,037 9.08 -0.81 $164.95
GreenGail Zwicker 82 0.72 +0.08 none listed
Total valid votes/Expense limit 11,415100.0  – $75,653
Total rejected, declined and unmarked ballots 520.45-0.10
Turnout 11,46757.99+4.55
Eligible voters 19,774
Liberal hold Swing -4.14
Changes are from the 2005 by-election
Canadian federal by-election, May 24, 2005
Party Candidate Votes%∆%Expenditures
LiberalTodd Russell 5,438 51.48 -10.75 $53,970.30
ConservativeGraham Letto 3,415 32.33 +16.56 $73,509.62
New DemocraticFrances Fry 1,045 9.89 +0.25 $26,121.42
IndependentErn Condon 598 5.66 -4.69 $254.00
GreenJason Crummey 68 0.64 -1.37 $78.45
Total valid votes/Expense limit 10,564100.0  – $74,995
Total rejected, declined and unmarked ballots 580.55+0.03
Turnout 10,622 53.44 +8.62
Eligible voters 19,876
Liberal hold Swing -13.6
Called on the death of Lawrence O'Brien, 16 December 2004
Canadian federal election, 2004
Party Candidate Votes%∆%Expenditures
LiberalLawrence O'Brien 5,524 62.23 -6.76 $35,586.52
ConservativeMerrill Strachan 1,400 15.77 -2.85 $17,120.09
IndependentErn Condon 919 10.35 – $62.50
New DemocraticShawn Crann 856 9.64 -2.74 none listed
GreenLori-Ann Martino 178 2.01 – $135.00
Total valid votes/Expense limit 8,877100.0  – $73,792
Total rejected, declined and unmarked ballots 460.52
Turnout 8,92344.82
Eligible voters 19,909
Liberal hold Swing -1.96
Change for the Conservatives is based on the combined totals of the Progressive Conservatives and the Canadian Alliance.

Labrador, 1988–2000

Canadian federal election, 2000
Party Candidate Votes%∆%
LiberalLawrence O'Brien 7,153 68.99 +18.37
New DemocraticAmanda Will 1,284 12.38 -25.41
Progressive ConservativeHayward Broomfield 1,254 12.09 +5.20
AllianceEugene Burt 677 6.53 +1.84
Total valid votes 10,368100.00
Changes for the Canadian Alliance are based on the 1997 results of its predecessor, the Reform Party.
Canadian federal election, 1997
Party Candidate Votes%∆%
LiberalLawrence O'Brien 6,182 50.62 +10.15
New DemocraticRandy Collins 4,615 37.79 +17.98
Progressive ConservativeMike Patton 842 6.89 -1.81
ReformStephane Girardin 573 4.69 -25.69
Total valid votes 12,212 100.00
Canadian federal by-election, 1996
Party Candidate Votes%∆%
LiberalLawrence O'Brien 4,032 40.47 -36.64
ReformJohn Michael McGrath 3,027 30.38
New DemocraticRandy Collins 1,974 19.81 +15.89
Progressive ConservativeDarlene Gear-White 867 8.70 -10.27
IndependentAlain Roy 63 0.63
Total valid votes 9,963100.00
Called on Bill Rompkey's appointment to the Senate.
Canadian federal election, 1993
Party Candidate Votes%∆%
LiberalBill Rompkey 8,724 77.11 +23.61
Progressive ConservativeWayne Piercey 2,146 18.97 -14.06
New DemocraticBarry Knight 444 3.92 -7.40
Total valid votes 11,314100.00
Canadian federal election, 1988
Party Candidate Votes%∆%
LiberalBill Rompkey 7,126 53.50 +8.37
Progressive ConservativeJoseph Goudie 4,400 33.03 -9.23
New DemocraticEvelyn Riggs 1,508 11.32 -1.29
IndependentErn Condon 286 2.15
Total valid votes 13,320100.00

Grand Falls—White Bay—Labrador, 1952–1987

Canadian federal election, 1984
Party Candidate Votes%∆%
LiberalBill Rompkey 12,938 45.13 -7.54
Progressive ConservativePeter J. Walsh 12,114 42.26 +17.25
New DemocraticErn Condon 3,616 12.61 -9.71
Total valid votes 28,668 100.00
Canadian federal election, 1980
Party Candidate Votes%∆%
LiberalBill Rompkey 15,530 52.67 +6.58
Progressive ConservativeRay Hawco 7,375 25.01 +13.46
New DemocraticErn Condon 6,582 22.32 -20.05
Total valid votes 29,487 100.00
Canadian federal election, 1979
Party Candidate Votes%∆%
LiberalBill Rompkey 13,639 46.09 -8.73
New DemocraticBryan Blackmore 12,538 42.37 +20.66
Progressive ConservativeCalvin Osmond 3,418 11.55 -11.92
Total valid votes 29,595 100.00
Canadian federal election, 1974
Party Candidate Votes%∆%
LiberalBill Rompkey 12,689 54.82 -2.82
Progressive ConservativeJim Corp Janes 5,433 23.47 -12.74
New DemocraticDonald J. Head 5,026 21.71 +15.56
Total valid votes 23,148 100.00
Canadian federal election, 1972
Party Candidate Votes%∆%
LiberalBill Rompkey 14,274 57.64 +10.83
Progressive ConservativeAmbrose Peddle 8,968 36.21 -14.19
New DemocraticEarle R. Boone 1,523 6.15 +3.36
Total valid votes 24,765 100.00
Canadian federal election, 1968
Party Candidate Votes%∆%
Progressive ConservativeAmbrose Peddle 10,322 50.40 +31.57
LiberalAndrew Chatwood 9,587 46.81 -26.23
New DemocraticAustin Scott 571 2.79 -5.34
Total valid votes 20,480 100.00
Canadian federal by-election, 19 September 1966
Party Candidate Votes%∆%
On Charles Granger's resignation, 1 August 1966
LiberalAndrew Chatwood 9,754 73.04 +2.08
Progressive ConservativeThomas Fenwick Pitcher 2,515 18.83 -4.04
New DemocraticLorne Campbell Snell 1,086 8.13
Total valid votes 13,355 100.00
Canadian federal election, 1965
Party Candidate Votes%∆%
LiberalCharles Granger 17,933 70.96 +0.30
Progressive ConservativeThomas Fenwick Pitcher 5,779 22.87 -2.50
Social CreditHarold W. Parsons 1,560 6.17
Total valid votes 25,272 100.00
Canadian federal election, 1963
Party Candidate Votes%∆%
LiberalCharles Granger 18,233 70.66 +5.11
Progressive ConservativeCyril C. Pelley 6,545 25.37 +1.16
New DemocraticKitchener Pritchett 1,025 3.97 -6.27
Total valid votes 25,803100.00
Canadian federal election, 1962
Party Candidate Votes%∆%
LiberalCharles Granger 16,401 65.55 +3.83
Progressive ConservativeWolfred Nelson 6,057 24.21 -14.07
New DemocraticWilliam Joseph Gillies 2,561 10.24
Total valid votes 25,019 100.00
Canadian federal election, 1958
Party Candidate Votes%∆%
LiberalCharles Granger 16,328 61.72 -13.69
Progressive ConservativeDavid Gordon Decker 10,129 38.28 +13.69
Total valid votes 26,457 100.00
Canadian federal election, 1957
Party Candidate Votes%∆%
LiberalThomas Gordon William Ashbourne 11,681 75.41 +2.15
Progressive ConservativeGeorge Bloomfield 3,810 24.59 -2.15
Total valid votes 15,491 100.00
Canadian federal election, 1953
Party Candidate Votes%∆%
LiberalThomas Gordon William Ashbourne 13,653 73.26 -13.49
Progressive ConservativeHenry George Hicks 4,984 26.74 +13.49
Total valid votes 18,637100.00

Grand Falls—White Bay, 1949–1952

Canadian federal election, 1949
Party Candidate Votes%
LiberalThomas Gordon William Ashbourne 12,301 86.75
Progressive ConservativeJames Pond 1,879 13.25
Total valid votes 14,180100.00

See also

References

Notes

  1. 1 2 Statistics Canada: 2011
  2. ↑ Pundits Guide
  3. ↑ "Peter Penashue quits over campaign donations". CBC News, March 14, 2013.
  4. ↑ Payton, Laura (2013). "Peter Penashue campaign took in 28 ineligible contributions - Politics - CBC News". cbc.ca. Retrieved March 15, 2013.
  5. ↑ Report – Newfoundland and Labrador
  6. ↑ "October 19, 2015 Election Results — Labrador (Validated results)". Elections Canada. 23 October 2015. Retrieved 24 October 2015.
  7. ↑ Elections Canada – Preliminary Election Expenses Limits for Candidates
  8. ↑ Elections Canada – Official voting results, Forty-first general election, 2011
  9. ↑ Elections Canada – Candidate's electoral campaign return, 41st general election

External links

Coordinates: 54°07′07″N 61°08′07″W / 54.1187°N 61.1353°W / 54.1187; -61.1353

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