Timmins - James Bay

This huge northeastern Ontario riding stretches from the Quebec border, north around James Bay and Hudson's Bay. The riding contains parts of the territorial districts of Kenora, Cochrane and Timiskaming.

The city of Timmins is the largest centre and the communities of Kirkland Lake, Iroquois Falls, Moosonee and Cochrane fall within the riding. There are many native reserves, with 12 per cent listing aboriginal as their ethnic origin.

According to the 2006 census, 33 per cent have French as their mother tongue. The economy is based around resources such as mining and forestry. Tourism is also important. The average family income is $72,809 and unemployment is 8.5 per cent.

In 2004, 68 per cent of the riding was kept and a portion of Timiskaming-Cochrane was added in the southeast. The riding of Timmins-Chapleau was created in 1976 from portions of Timmins, Cochrane and Timiskaming ridings. In 1996, Timmins-James Bay was created from 73 per cent of Timmins-Chapleau and 49 per cent of Cochrane-Superior.

Population: 80,791 (2006 census; a decrease of 3.8% since 2001)

Political History

The New Democrats hold this riding. Party member Charlie Angus beat Liberal Robert Riopelle in 2006, with Angus receiving 50 per cent of the vote. He is serving his second term in office.

In 2004, Angus defeated Liberal Raymond Chénier by 613 votes.

In 2000, Liberal Règinald Bèlair defeated New Democrat Len Wood to win a fourth term in office. He spent two terms as MP for Cochrane-Superior. Cochrane and Cochrane-Superior voted Liberal steadily from 1935 through 1993.

In Timmins-Chapleau, New Democrat Cid Samson was elected in 1988. Liberal Peter Thalheimer defeated Samson in 1993.

Timmins/Timmins-Chapleau:

• 1949, 1953 - LIB
• 1957, 1958, 1962, 1963, 1965 - CCF/NDP
• 1968-80 inclusive - LIB
• 1984 - PC
• 1988 - NDP
• 1993 - LIB

Cochrane-Superior (Cochrane from 1935-1981)

• 1935-93 inclusive - LIB

Timmins-James Bay:

• 1997, 2000 - LIB
• 2004, 2006 - NDP