Ridings

186 Sault Ste. Marie

2004 Candidates
GRN: Julie Emmerson
NDP: Tony Martin
LIB: Carmen Provenzano (Incumbent)
CON: Cameron Ross
MLP: Mike Taffarel

Riding Profile

This Northern Ontario riding takes in the city of Sault Ste. Marie, St. Joseph Island and part of the district of Algoma. The riding runs from the North Channel of Lake Huron in the south to Whitefish Bay and Lake Superior in the northwest, as far as the Montreal River.

Algoma University College and Sault Ste. Marie Airport are in the riding, as well as the reserves of Garden River and Goulais Bay. The aboriginal population is three per cent.

The largest sector of the local economy is manufacturing, with Algoma Steel the major industrial employer. The service sector and government services are other major employers. Average family income is $58,007 and unemployment is 9.7 per cent.

According to the 2001 census, more than 10 per cent of the population are of Italian origin and four per cent are francophone.

In 2004, the northern boundary moved north to the Montreal River. The riding was created in 1966 from part of Algoma West. In 1996, part of Algoma-Manitoulin was added to the riding.

Political History

1968: LIB
1972, 1974, 1979: NDP
1980: LIB
1984: PC
1988: NDP
1993, 1997, 2000: LIB

In 2000, Liberal Carmen Provenzano defeated New Democrat Bud Wildman to win a second term. He succeeded another Liberal, Ron Irwin, who was minister of Indian affairs and northern development.

Liberal G.E. Nixon held Algoma West from 1940 to 1965 inclusive. In 1968, Liberal Terry Murphy won. New Democrat Cyril Symes won in 1972, 1974 and 1979, but lost to Liberal Ron Irwin in 1980. In 1984, PC Jim Kelleher served a single term, and was appointed minister of international trade and solicitor-general under Brian Mulroney. In 1988, the riding swung back to the New Democrats and sent Steve Butland to Ottawa for a single term.

Carmen Provenzano

Party: Liberal Party of Canada
Birth Date: Feb. 3, 1942
Age: 62
Birthplace: Sault Ste. Marie, Ont.

University Degree: Yes
Education: BA from University of Windsor; LL.B. from Queen's University.
Profession: Lawyer
Career Background: For more than 25 years, he was self-employed in legal private practice, specializing in municipal and planning law. Also lectured in public law at Algoma University.
Community: Served on Algoma District Health Council. Fundraiser for local charities and developing local amateur sport. Member of the Law Society of Upper Canada and the Canadian Bar Association.
Marital Status: Married
Name of Spouse: Ada
Children: Frank, Lucas, Jana and Mark

Political History
Municipal: Former trustee on Sault Ste. Marie board of education.
Provincial: Defeated in Sault Ste. Marie (1995).
Federal: Elected in Sault Ste. Marie (1997 and 2000).

Political History (Federal/Provincial)
Parliamentary Secretary: To minister of veteran's affairs (2000-03).
Committees: Former vice-chair of Fisheries and Oceans; former member of Natural Resources and Government Operations; and National Defence and Veterans Affairs. Member of Fisheries and Oceans.
Caucus: Current and past chair of the Northern Ontario Liberal caucus. Member of the all-party parliamentary steel caucus.
Office Address: 100-369 Queen St. East, Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., 705-941-2900.
Capital Address: Room 142, Confederation Building, House of Commons, Ottawa, Ont., 613-992-9723.

Cameron Rose

Party: Conservative Party of Canada

University Degree: Yes
Education: Graduate of the Canadian Forces Land Command and Staff College. Holds a military arts and science degree from the Royal Military College.
Career Background: Joined the Canadian Forces and served in Sault Ste. Marie twice, from 1987-90 and from 1995-98, after which he transferred to the Reserve Force and commanded the 49th Field Regiment. Currently the CEO of the Algoma Mutual Insurance Company.

Tony Martin

Party: The New Democratic Party of Canada
Birth Date: 1948
Birthplace: Ireland. Arrived in Canada in 1960.

University Degree: Yes
Education: BA in political science from Boston College and Laurentian University.
Career Background: Former community development and recreational programmer for adolescents, disadvantaged groups and seniors. Owner and general manager of Transcend Homes, a worker co-op.
Community: Member of the Social Planning Council in Sault Ste. Marie. Founder and co-ordinator of the Sault Ste. Marie Soup Kitchen. Director of the Association for Mentally Retarded in Elliot Lake.
Marital Status: Married
Name of Spouse: Anna
Children: Four

Political History
Municipal: Trustee for North district, Elliot Lake and Sault Ste. Marie and district RC separate school boards.
Provincial: Elected in Sault Ste. Marie (1990, 1995 and 1999).
Defeated in 2003.

Political History (Federal/Provincial)
Parliamentary Secretary: To Ontario minister of education (1990). To Ontario minister of education and training (1993).
Committees: Former chair of Ontario advisory committees on Deaf Education and of Education Finance Reform; member of Government Agencies.
Caucus: Former critic for Ontario Consumer and Commercial Relations committee. NDP critic for Disabilities; Economic Development; Trade; Poverty; Community and Social Services and Tourism.

Julie Emmerson

Party: The Green Party of Canada

Mike Taffarel

Party: The Marxist-Leninist Party of Canada

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