Guelph

This southwestern Ontario riding is composed of the city of Guelph.

The riding is home to the University of Guelph, the Ontario Veterinary College and Conestoga College. Manufacturing is the major industry, accounting for 24 per cent of employment, followed by educational services and retail trade.

About 21 per cent of the residents are immigrants and there is a significant Italian community. According to the 2006 census, the average family income is $73,606 and unemployment is 5.3 per cent.

The riding of Guelph-Wellington was created in 1986 from all of the Guelph riding and a portion of Wellington-Dufferin-Simcoe. In the 1996 redistribution, the boundaries were moved again. In 2004, parts of Eramosa and Puslinch townships outside the city limits were moved into neighbouring ridings and the riding was called Guelph again.

Population: 114,943 (2006 census; an increase of 8.3% since 2001)

Political History

Liberal incumbent Brenda Chamberlain is serving another term as MP after winning over Conservative Brent Barr by 5,320 votes.

In 2004, Chamberlain defeated Conservative Jon Deardon by 9,721 votes. She was also elected in the old Guelph-Wellington riding in 1993, 1997 and 2000.

This riding, under various names, has seesawed between Liberals and Conservatives over the years.

It was won seven times by Progressive Conservative Alf Hales from 1957-72, then once by Liberal Frank Maine in 1974 and once by PC Albert Fish in 1979.

In 1980, Guelph elected Liberal Jim Schroder and in 1984, PC William Winegard. He was re-elected in Guelph-Wellington in 1988.

Wellington:

• 1968, 1972 - PC
• 1974 - LIB

Guelph:

• 1979 - PC
• 1980 - LIB
• 1984 - PC

Guelph-Wellington:

• 1988 - PC
• 1993, 1997, 2000 - LIB

Guelph:

• 2004, 2006 - LIB