London North Centre

This southwestern Ontario riding is made up of the central portions of the city of London. It stretches from the London city limits in the north to the Thames River, Wharncliffe Road and Oxford Street West in the south. The area sits between Highbury Avenue North in the east and Wonderland Road North in the west.

With the University of Western Ontario and Victoria and St. Joseph hospitals in the riding, the health and education sectors are major employers. The hospitals are also two of the major medical teaching facilities in southwestern Ontario. Other important sources of employment in the riding are manufacturing and retail trade.

According to the 2006 census, the average family income is $93,012 and unemployment is 7.1 per cent.

The riding was created as London East in the 1966 redistribution. In 1996, London North Centre was created from 80 per cent of London East, 15 per cent of London West and less than one per cent of London-Middlesex.

Population: 115,250 (2006 census; an increase of 7% since 2001)

Political History

In 2006, Liberal incumbent Joe Fontana retained his hold on the riding by defeating Conservative John Mazzilli by 6,141 votes. The NDP's Stephen Maynard wasn't far behind in third place. Fontana stepped down in the spring and ran an unsuccessful campaign for mayor of London. The Liberals held the riding in a Nov. 27, 2006 byelection, with Glen Pearson winning over Green Party Leader Elizabeth May.

In the preceding election, Fontana beat Conservative Tim Gatten. Fontana was first elected in London East in 1988. Paul Martin appointed Fontana minister of labour and housing in 2004.

London elected only two Liberals between 1904 and 1968. In 1968, Liberal Charles Turner was elected and held the riding for five terms. In 1984, Conservative Jim Jepson was elected MP for one term.

London East:

• 1968-1980 inclusive - LIB
• 1984 - PC
• 1988, 1993 - LIB

London North Centre:

• 1997-2006 inclusive - LIB
• 2006 byelection - LIB