Simcoe - Grey

This central Ontario riding is on the shore of Nottawasaga Bay in Georgian Bay. It contains the town of Blue Mountains and part of Simcoe County. The riding includes New Tecumseth, Essa and Springwater townships as well as Wasaga Beach and Collingwood.

This popular summer resort destination depends on manufacturing, the service sector and tourism as primary sources of employment. The 2006 census shows an average family income of $89,994 and an unemployment rate of 5.4 per cent.

The riding of Simcoe-Grey was created in 1996 from portions of Simcoe Centre, Wellington-Grey-Dufferin-Simcoe, York Simcoe, Simcoe North and Bruce-Grey. In 2004, parts of Simcoe North and Barrie-Simcoe-Bradford were added on the eastern edge.

Population: 125,985 (2006 census; an increase of 7.2% since 2001)

Political History

Conservative Helena Guergis is serving her second term in the riding after winning the 2006 election over Liberal Elizabeth Kirley. Guergis received 40 per cent of the vote and won by 11,449 votes.

In 2004, Guergis defeated Liberal incumbent Paul Bonwick by just 100 votes. In 2000, Bonwick defeated the Alliance's George Demery, winning a second term in Simcoe-Grey.

Simcoe Centre was the only Ontario riding to elect a Reform MP in 1993, when it sent Ed Harper to Ottawa. In 1988, PC Edna Anderson won the seat.

Wellington-Dufferin-Simcoe was held by PC Perrin Beatty from 1979 to 1993. Beatty was in Brian Mulroney's cabinet from 1984 to 1993, when he was defeated by Liberal Murray Calder.

• 1997, 2000 - LIB
• 2004, 2006 - CON