Ridings
216 Churchill
2006 Candidates:
RIDING PROFILE
This riding covers northern Manitoba and is one of the largest in
Canada. It is bounded by Nunavut in the north, Hudson Bay and Ontario in
the east, and Saskatchewan in the west. It includes Churchill, Flin Flon,
Thompson and The Pas.
Mining is the economic mainstay in this riding, followed by health and
social services, and education.
According to the 2001 census, the aboriginal population is 53 per cent
– the second highest in Canada.
The average family income in 2001 was $48,465 and unemployment was 16.1
per cent. Almost 62 per cent of the population speak English as a mother
tongue, and 21 per cent speak Cree. About 10 per cent have less than a
Grade 9 education and almost five per cent have a university degree.
The boundaries of this riding did not change in the 1976 redistribution
and changed slightly in 1996 and 2004.
Political History
PC Robert Simpson served as MP from 1957 until 1972, when another Tory,
Keith Taylor, replaced him. PC Cecil Smith was elected in 1974.
In 1979, New Democrat Rod Murphy defeated Smith by 4,742 votes. He was
re-elected in 1980, 1984 and 1988.
In 1993, Liberal Elijah Harper defeated Murphy by 907 votes. Harper
is best known for his role in stopping ratification of the Meech Lake
Accord when he was a New Democratic MLA in Manitoba, from 1981
until 1992.
In the next two elections, New Democrat Bev Desjarlais defeated Harper,
by 2,764 votes in 1997 and by 2,963 votes in 2000. In 2004, Desjarlais
was re-elected, defeating Liberal Ron Evans by 1,008 votes.
1935, 1940 - LIB
1945 - CCF
1949, 1953 - LIB
1957-74 inclusive - PC
1979-88 inclusive - NDP
1993 - LIB
1997, 2000, 2004 - NDP
CANDIDATE PROFILES
Nazir Ahmad
Party: Conservative Party of Canada
Profession: Chartered Accountant
Marital status: Married
Name of spouse: Pat
Children: Suffia and Jasmin
Community activities: Served as president of several organizations including the Rotary Club and the Chamber of Commerce; founding member and finance chair of the Norman Community Services Inc. (housing for persons with disabilities); director of Manitoba Chamber of Commerce; member of the board of directors of Canadian Red Cross.
Electoral History
Municipal: Current city councillor and former mayor of Flin Flon, Man.
Tel: (204) 687-8229
Email: nazirahmad@mts.net>
Jeff Fountain
Party: Green Party of Canada
Education: Graduate of the University of Winnipeg
Profession: Teacher
Career background: Spent four years teaching in Japan. In the past two years, worked as a substitute teacher for the school district of Mystery Lake, and more recently worked in the refinery for INCO Manitoba Division
Community activities: Wrestling coach
Tel: (204) 677-2043
Email: jfountain@greenparty.ca
Brad Bodnar
Party: Independent
Birth Date: September, 1964
Age: 41
Birthplace: The Pas, Manitoba
Education: High school diploma, Margaret Barbour Collegiate Institute. Residential Electrical, Keewatin Community College. Computer Animation, Vancouver Film School
Profession: Artist
Marital Status: Divorced
Children: Tyson Bodnar
Career Background: Engine rebuilding, hydraulic cylinder assembly, carpentry, construction, residential electrical, wild rice processing, business management, bookkeeping, lumber mill production, painter, artist and martial arts instructor
Bev Desjarlais
Party: Independent
Birth Date: August, 1951
Age: 50
Birthplace: Saskatchewan
Marital Status: Married
Name of Spouse: Robert
Children: Three sons
Career Background: Employed at Thompson General Hospital in a variety of positions for 23 years. Active with the United Food and Commercial Workers Union, served as union steward for Health and Safety, was involved with the negotiating committee. Served as member of the Thompson Labour Committee, representing hospital workers. Has been elected to various positions, including the Juniper Centre Board of Directors, the Thompson Food Co-op Board of Directors and the Thompson Children's World Daycare Board of Directors
Community Activities: Has been a member of Canadian Parents for French (Thompson Chapter), the Thompson Minor Hockey Association, and has been active in the National Scouting Movement for Thompson Beavers and Cubs
Electoral History
Party: Sat as Independent after leaving NDP caucus in October 2005. Former member of Thompson NDP Association, holding position of treasurer and provincial council representatives
Municipal: Elected Trustee with school district of Mystery Lake in 1992 and was its chair in 1994
Federal: Elected in Churchill in 1997, 2000 and 2004
Political History
Committee: Former member, Industry, Science and Technology, Transport and Government Operations. Member, Transport Committee and Subcommittee dealing with Marine Transportation.
Caucus: Former critic for Infrastructure, Housing, Industry, Consumer Affairs, Science, Research and Development. Critic for Transport, Seniors, Treasury Board. Appointed Interim Health critic in April 2004, replacing Svend Robinson who was on medical leave.
Stripped of critic duties after voting against Bill C-38 (same-sex marriage).
Riding Address:
105-55 Selkirk Avenue
Thompson, Man.
votebev@mts.ca
www.re-electbev.ca
Tina Keeper
Party: Liberal Party of Canada
Education: Degree in theatre and history from the University of Winnipeg
Profession: Actor
Community Activities: Participated in public education initiatives
and was active in the development of a visioning committee towards creating a Suicide Prevention Program.
She has been awarded the Order of Manitoba and an Aboriginal Achievement Award.
Campaign Office:
201-3 Station Road
Thompson, Man.
Tel: (204) 677-0220
Fax: (204) 677-0223
rlamoureux@liberalpartyofcanada-mb.ca
www.electtinakeeper.com
Niki Ashton
Party: New Democratic Party
Birthplace: Thompson, Man.
Education: Graduate of Li Po Chun United World College in Hong Kong, and the University of Manitoba. Currently working on MA in International Affairs at Carleton University
Profession:
Community activities: Taught at the Winnipeg Greek Community School; worked as a volunteer at Welcome Place assisting with refugee applicant sponsors and teaching English as a second language; founded the Hellenic Students Association of Manitoba; volunteered as a speaker for the promotion of French Immersion in Manitoba; worked as a coordinator and promoter for volunteerism for the Athens 2004 Olympic Games; volunteered as a national Olympic committee assistant for the team from the People's Republic of China
Tel: (204) 679-5778
Email: niki_ashton@hotmail.com
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