Ridings
231 Desnethé-Missinippi-Churchill River
2006 Candidates:
RIDING PROFILE
This vast riding covers the northern half of Saskatchewan. It is a sprawling wilderness of lakes and rivers and woods.
Significant centres include Meadow Lake, La Loche and Buffalo Narrows.
Just under half the population of this riding is aboriginal. That's the
third-highest rate in the country. Twenty-five per cent of the riding's
residents list Cree as their mother tongue.
Agriculture employs the largest share of workers here. Other resource-based
activities – forestry, fishing, mining and trapping – also contribute
to the local economy. Several uranium mines are here, as are gas fields
and oil wells. Unemployment was 17.8 per cent in 2001 and the average
annual family income was $41,513.
The Churchill River riding was formed in 1996 from a large part of the Prince Albert-Churchill River riding, a slightly smaller portion of Battlefords-Meadow Lake, and a bit of the Mackenzie riding.
Population: 64,416
Political History
In 2004, Conservative Jeremy Harrison won this riding with just over 37
per cent of the vote. One of his defeated opponents was incumbent Rick
Laliberte, who ran as an Independent. Laliberte was first elected as a
New Democrat in 1997, then as a Liberal in 2000.
In the two elections prior to 1997, the former riding of Prince Albert-Churchill River was held by a New Democrat and a Liberal. In Battlefords-Meadow Lake, Tories and the NDP traded victories from 1979.
Churchill River:
1997 - NDP
2000 - LIB
2004 - CON
CANDIDATE PROFILES
Jeremy Harrison
Party:
Birth Date: Jan. 21, 1978
Age: 27
Birthplace: Saskatoon, SK
Education: Undergraduate degrees from the University of Alberta in political science and Canadian history. Law Degree from the
University of Saskatchewan
Marital Status: Married
Name of Spouse: Alaina Comazz
Career Background: He has worked in the forestry industry in northern Saskatchewan. For the past two years he has worked as a
communications consultant in addition to completing his law degree. He also served in the Canadian Armed Forces with a reserve infantry
unit.
Electoral History
Federal: Elected in Churchill River in 2004
Political History
Committee: Vice-Chair: Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development
Caucus: Shadow critic for the Minister of State for Northern Development, as well as critic for the portfolio of Metis
Interlocutor and Non-Status Indians. Deputy chair of the Saskatchewan caucus of the Conservative Party
Campaign Office:
(306) 234-2057
jeremyharrison@shaw.ca
Riding Address:
211 Centre Street, Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan
(306) 234-2234
Ottawa Address:
Room 619 Confed Bldg, House of Commons, Ottawa, Ont.
(613) 995-8321
John A. McDonald
Party: Green Party of Canada
Children: Six
Career Background: Was a teacher. Has taught adult education. Was a school trustee in British Columbia. Ran his own lumber yards
and construction business
Campaign Office:
(780) 923-3548
jmcdonald@greenparty.ca
Gary Merasty
Party: Liberal Party of Canada
Education: Graduated from the University of Saskatchewan's Indian Teacher Education Program in 1991. Received a Master of
Education degree in 2003
Marital Status: Married
Name of Spouse: Brenda
Children: Four children
Career Background: Has worked with the Hudson Bay Mining and Smelting Company in Flin Flon, Manitoba. Has served two terms as
Grand Chief of the Prince Albert Grand Council (Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation)
Community Activities: Has participated in such boards and commissions as the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technology,
the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority, and the Saskatchewan Airport Authority. Has been an advocate for improved education, health
care and infrastructure for northern development. Received the Queen's Golden Jubilee medal and the Saskartchewan Centennial medal for
service to the people of Saskatchewan
Campaign Address:
(306) 765-1880
Anita Jackson
Party: New Democratic Party of Canada
Birthplace: La Ronge, Sask.
Profession: Constituency Assistant
Career Background: Currently employed as a Constituency Assistant with Cumberland MLA Joan Beatty. Has been employed with the
Department of Social Services and worked as Health Director of the Lac La Ronge Band
Community Activities: Has served on the boards of the Native Women's Association of Canada, the Saskatchewan Mental Health
Advisory Council and the Saskatchewan Legal Aid Commission
Campaign Address:
(306) 425-8018
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