CAPE BRETON SOUTH (8)

Candidates:

Current MLA: Manning MacDonald (LIB)

Riding Profile: This is an urban riding that takes in most of the city of Sydney. It includes the 435-bed Cape Breton Healthcare complex , the University College of Cape Breton campus, and the Membertou First Nation.

Most people work in the services and trade sector – large employers include the municipality, Wal-Mart, Superstore and several nursing homes.

The average income is $24,990 and the population is 20,300. Most people have a high school education. 31 per cent have some post-secondary training. Unemployment is about 16 per cent.

Issues: As in much of Cape Breton, people want jobs and economic development. Sydney now has about four call centres, which have created nearly 2,000 jobs. But people want something more enduring.

There is some talk of a new urban core strategy that would pour more money into Sydney's downtown, to develop it as a vibrant marketplace. That is primarily a municipal issue, but people like the notion of developing Sydney as a destination.

The cruise ship business and the casino are welcome additions.

People also mention auto insurance as a major concern.

Political History: This riding has a strong Liberal tradition. It was former Liberal leader Vince MacLean's riding from 1974-1988.

The riding has been held for 10 years by Liberal Manning MacDonald, the former mayor of Sydney, and a career politician.

His on opponent so far is Mike MacSween. Until until the spring, he was the president of the student union at UCCB.

1999: LIB Manning MacDonald defeated NDP Elizabeth Cusack by nearly 3,000 votes. PC Lee Lewis was third with eight per cent of the vote. 1998: LIB Manning MacDonald defeated NDP Ed Murphy by 2,600 votes. PC Anna Steele was third. 1993: LIB Manning MacDonald defeated NDP Peter Mancini by 2,500 votes. PC Norm Ferguson polled 2,015. 1988: LIB Vince MacLean defeated PC Murdock Smith.

Voter Turnout: 70 per cent in 1999.