Ridings

192 Simcoe-Grey

2004 Candidates
LIB: Paul Bonwick (Incumbent)
GRN: Peter Ellis
CON: Helena Guergis
NDP: Colin Mackinnon
CHP: Peter Vander Zaag

Riding Profile

This central Ontario riding is located on the shore of Nottawasaga Bay in Georgian Bay. It contains the town of Blue Mountains and part of the county of Simcoe. The riding includes New Tecumseth, Essa and Springwater Townships as well as Wasaga Beach and Collingwood.

This popular summer resort destination depends on tourism and manufacturing as primary sources of employment. Average family income is $70,172 and unemployment is 4.5 per cent.

In 2004, parts of Simcoe North and Barrie-Simcoe-Bradford riding have been added on the eastern edge. The riding of Simcoe-Grey was created in 1996 from portions of Simcoe Centre, Wellington-Grey-Dufferin-Simcoe, York Simcoe, Simcoe North and Bruce-Grey.

Political History

SIMCOE-GREY
1997, 2000: LIB

In 2000, Liberal Paul Bonwick defeated the Alliance's George Demery, winning a second term in Simcoe-Grey. If the Conservatives successfully combine the Tory and Alliance vote in this riding, they could win in 2004.

Simcoe Centre was the only Ontario riding to elect a Reform party MP in 1993, sending Ed Harper to Ottawa. In 1988, PC Edna Anderson won the seat. Wellington-Dufferin Simcoe was held by PC Perrin Beatty from 1979 to 1993. Beatty was in the Mulroney cabinet from 1984 to 1993, when he was defeated by Liberal Murray Calder.

Paul Bonwick

Party: Liberal Party of Canada
Birth Date: Oct. 24, 1964
Age: 39
Birthplace: Collingwood, Ont.

Profession: Former small business owner and consultant.
Career Background:
Community: Former council representative for Community Development, the Signage Variance committee and the Collingwood Imaging committee. Former chair of the Waterfront Implementation committee in Collingwood.
Marital Status: Married
Name of Spouse: Sandi
Children: Alexr, Amy and Matthew

Helena Guergis

Party: Conservative Party of Canada

Profession: Businesswoman
Career Background: Former policy adviser to Ontario Minister of Finance Janet Ecker. Former caucus relations adviser to the office of the minister of education. Former executive assistant for member of provincial Parliament Joe Tascona.
Community: Has raised funds for a number of charities including the Angus Food Bank and the Barrie Rape Crisis Centre.

Colin Mackinnon

Party: New Democratic Party of Canada
Birthplace: New Zealand. Arrived in Canada in 1966.

Profession: Chartered accountant.
Marital Status: Married

Peter Ellis

Party: The Green Party of Canada
Birthplace: Toronto

University Degree: Yes
Education: M.Sc., McGill University.
Profession: Teacher, businessman.
Career Background: Currently president of Peachtree Manufacturing Ltd., providing furnishings for both the domestic and the international accommodation industry.
Community: Has served on the CNIB Simcoe/Muskoka District Board and on the Halton Regional Conservation Authority. Served as President of both the Bradford and the Meadowvale Rotary Clubs.
Marital Status: Married

Peter Vander Zaag

Party: The Christian Heritage Party
Birthplace: Alliston, Ont.

Career Background: More than 20 years' experience helping farmers, scientists and governments with food production related issues.
Community: Has served on numerous organizations including the board of the Alliston Community Christian School, the executive board of the Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario, the executive board of Ag CARE, and the Loaves and Fishes Growing Project of South Simcoe for the Canada Food Grains Bank.

Riding Profiles

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