Thunder Bay - Rainy River

This northern Ontario riding stretches from Lake Superior in the southeast, along the U.S. border to Lake of the Woods. It contains the territorial districts of Thunder Bay and Rainy River.

It runs north as far as Harmon Lake, Sturgeon Lake and 6th Base Line. The part of the city of Thunder Bay south of Pole Line Road, Thunder Bay Expressway and Main Street falls within the riding. There are several native reserves and the aboriginal population is more than 12 per cent.

The service sector, retail trade, manufacturing and grain transportation are among the main industries in the riding. The 2006 census shows an average family income of $76,115 and an unemployment rate of 7.7 per cent.

The riding of Thunder Bay-Rainy River was created in 2004 from 89 per cent of Thunder Bay-Atikokan and 23 per cent of Kenora-Rainy River. Thunder Bay-Atikokan was created in 1976 from 90 per cent of Fort William and 10 per cent of Thunder Bay. In 1996, part of Thunder Bay-Nipigon was added.

Population: 85,153 (2006 census; a decrease of 0.7 since 2001)

Political History

Liberal incumbent Ken Boshcoff is serving his second term as MP after winning in the 2006 election. Boshcoff defeated New Democrat John Rafferty by 658 votes.

In 2004, Boshcoff defeated Rafferty and Conservative David Leskowski.

Thunder Bay-Atikokan and its predecessor riding of Fort William voted Liberal from 1935 to 1980. The last elected Tory was R.J. Manion, who won in 1925, 1926 and 1930. Liberal Paul McRae held the seat from 1972 (when it was Fort William) to 1984 (when it was Thunder Bay-Atikokan).

In 1984 and 1988, New Democrat Iain Angus was elected. Liberal Stan Dromisky served three terms between 1993 and 2004.

Fort William:

• 1925, 1926, 1930 - CON
• 1935-74 inclusive - LIB

Thunder Bay-Atikokan:

• 1979, 1980 - LIB
• 1984, 1988 - NDP
• 1993, 1997, 2000 - LIB

Thunder Bay-Rainy River:

• 2004, 2006 - LIB