Simcoe North

This central Ontario riding stretches between Lake Simcoe in the southeast and Nottawasaga Bay and Severn Sound in the northwest, including Christian Island and part of Georgian Bay Islands National Park. The northern boundary is the Severn River.

The riding contains part of Simcoe County and the townships of Ramara, Tiny, Tay and Oro-Medonte. The city of Orillia and the towns of Midland and Penetanguishene are in the riding. There are two native reserves, the Mnjikaning First Nation, which operates the Rama Casino in Orillia, and Christian Island No. 30 Reserve. The aboriginal population is seven per cent and about four per cent is francophone.

There is a large manufacturing sector and an important tourism-related sector. According to the 2006 census, the average family income is $75,204 and unemployment is 5.9 per cent.

The riding was established in 1867 and boundaries were changed slightly in 1996. In 2004, a small area was added from Simcoe-Grey.

Population: 119,400 (2006 census; an increase of 7.5% since 2001)

Political History

Conservative Bruce Stanton took the riding in the 2006 election when he won over Liberal challenger Karen Graham by 1,188 votes.

Liberal Paul DeVillers defeated Conservative candidate Peter Stock in 2004 to win a fourth term. DeVillers was named secretary of state for amateur sport in 2002. In 2003, he added the job of deputy government leader.

From 1945 to 1988, Simcoe North voted Tory. The last Liberal MP was D.F. McCuaig, who won in 1935 and 1940. Conservative Doug Lewis was MP from 1979 to 1993. He was Brian Mulroney's government House leader, as well as minister of justice and attorney general, and later minister of transport and solicitor general.

• 1867-74 byelection inclusive - LIB
• 1878-96 inclusive - CON
• 1898 byelection-1904 inclusive - LIB
• 1908, 1911, 1917 - CON
• 1921, 1925 - PROG
• 1926, 1930 - CON
• 1935, 1940 - LIB
• 1945-88 inclusive - PC
• 1993, 1997, 2000, 2004 - LIB
• 2006 - CON