PICTOU EAST (41)

Candidates:

Current MLA: Jim DeWolfe (PC)

Riding Profile: Pictou East is a largely rural riding that includes Thorburn, Sutherland's River and Merigomish. The town of Westville was added since the last provincial election.

Most people are employed by the service sector or work at one of the two regional high schools. Forestry, lobstering along the Northumberland Strait and agriculture are still important, although less so than they once were.

The Boat Harbour and Merigomish reserves are part of this riding.

The population is 16,140 and 38 per cent have some type of post-secondary training. The unemployment rate is about 10 per cent. Incomes average out at $23,340.

Issues: Car insurance, roads, the area's declining population, services for youth and access to medical specialists are all issues in this riding.

Political History: This riding traditionally votes Tory. The only exception came during a byelection in 1993 when a Liberal won. Former PC premier Don Cameron held the seat for many years.

1999: PC Jim DeWolfe defeated NDP Andy Thompson by 2,100 votes and LIB Lynn MacDonald by nearly 3,000 votes. 1998: PC Jim DeWolfe defeated NDP David MacKenzie by 1,500 votes and LIB Wayne Fraser by 1,600 votes. 1993: LIB Wayne Fraser defeated PC Mel MacLean by 2,400 votes in a byelection. Dave Peters of the NDP was third. 1993: PC Don Cameron defeated LIB Wayne Fraser by 700 votes. NDP Dave Peters had 1,275. 1988: PC Don Cameron defeated LIB Wayne Fraser by 753 votes.

Voter Turnout: 73 per cent in 1999.