Halifax West

This riding stretches from the Atlantic Ocean in the south to the boundary of Halifax Regional Municipality in the east and Pockwock Lake and Highway 101 in the north. Shad Bay is the boundary in the southwest, while Pennant River is the southeast boundary.

Tourism is important in this area and Peggy's Cove is in the riding. Retail trade, health, social and other services are also main employers.

According to the 2006 census, slightly more than 30 per cent of the population over age 25 have a university certificate or degree. The total immigrant population is just over ten per cent. The average family income is $85,379 and unemployment is 5.9 per cent.

From 1867, this was part of the two-seat riding of Halifax. This riding was created in 1976 from a major part of Halifax-East Hants and a small part of Dartmouth-Halifax East. In 1996, there were major boundary revisions and 30 per cent of the Halifax riding was moved into Halifax West. In 2004, only 56 per cent of the old riding was kept; it was combined with the northwest portion of Halifax riding and a small area from Dartmouth.

Population: 88,756 (2006 census; an increase of 11% since 2001)

Political History

Liberal incumbent Geoff Regan had no trouble holding on to his seat in 2006, beating his closest competitor, New Democrat Alan Hill, by more than a 2-to-1 margin.

In 2004, Regan defeated New Democrat Bill Carr to win a third term in office. He was appointed minister of fisheries and oceans in 2003. Geoff Regan is the son of former Nova Scotia premier and former Halifax riding MP Gerald Regan.

Progressive Conservative Robert McCleave won one of the Halifax seats in 1957, 1958 and 1962. When the riding was divided, McCleave won another three terms in Halifax-East Hants. The 1978 byelection to replace McCleave was held under the new boundaries of the riding of Halifax West. PC Howard Crosby won and was re-elected in 1979, 1980, 1984 and 1988.

• 1978 byelection to 1988 inclusive - PC
• 1993 - LIB
• 1997 - NDP
• 2000, 2004, 2006 - LIB