Kitchener - Waterloo

This southern Ontario riding includes the city of Waterloo and part of the city of Kitchener.

The Grand River is the eastern boundary. The riding stretches to Wilmot Line in the west, between Benjamin Road and Country Squire Road in the north and the CN Rail line, Fischer-Hallman Road and Highland Road West in the south.

The city of Waterloo makes up about three-quarters of the riding. Waterloo's economic activities include manufacturing, educational services and other aspects of the service sector. It has a strong technology sector and is home to the University of Waterloo, Wilfrid Laurier University and a campus of Conestoga College.

The 2006 census shows an average family income of $101,665 and an unemployment rate of 5.5 per cent.

In 2004, a portion of the city of Kitchener moved into Kitchener Centre riding. The riding of Waterloo was created in 1966 from Waterloo South and North. In 1996, the name changed to Kitchener-Waterloo.

Population: 126,742 (2006 census; an increase of 11.3% since 2001)

Political History

Liberal Andrew Telegdi won over Conservative Ajmer Mandur in the 2006 election by more than 12,000 votes, earning his fourth term in the riding.

In 2004, Telegdi defeated Steve Strauss of the Conservatives.

Waterloo South was Tory from 1900 to 1949, but since then, the riding has elected candidates from all three main parties. New Democrat Max Saltsman won a 1964 byelection and served four terms. Conservative Walter McLean won in 1979 and held the seat until 1993. He was minister responsible for the status of women and minister of state for immigration in the Brian Mulroney administration.

Waterloo:

• 1968, 1972, 1974 - NDP
• 1979-88 inclusive - PC
• 1993 - LIB

Kitchener-Waterloo:

• 1997 - 2006 inclusive - LIB