Lethbridge

This southern Alberta riding borders B.C. in the west and the U.S. in the south. The city of Lethbridge is the major population centre, along with the towns of Cardston, Coaldale and Raymond. Waterton Lakes National Park forms the southwest corner of riding.

About 11 per cent of people here are immigrants. Eighty-four per cent listed English as their mother tongue in the 2006 census, less than one per cent listed French, and 14 per cent a language other than one of the official languages. German and Dutch were the two largest groups in the latter category.

Agriculture is big business in Lethbridge riding: the largest cattle feedlots in Canada are here. Manufacturing also plays a key role. The average family income is $73,906 and unemployment is four per cent.

The riding of Lethbridge was established in 1914 and abolished in 1976. The boundaries of this riding have remained almost unaltered since it was re-established in 1987.

Population: 113,531 (2006 census; an increase of 7.0% since 2001)

Political History

Conservative Rick Casson has held this riding for four consecutive terms. He secured his most recent win in the 2006 election when he beat NDP candidate Melanee Thomas by more than 27,000 votes. In 2004, Casson defeated Liberal Ken Nicol by more than 18,000 votes. Casson was first elected as a Reformer in 1997 and re-elected in 2000 for the Alliance.

In 1993, Ray Speaker won the riding for Reform.

Prior to that election, this had been a longtime Tory stronghold. PC Blaine Thacker held the seat from 1979 until 1993.

• 1988 - PC
• 1993, 1997 - REF
• 2000 - CA
• 2004, 2006 - CON