District Profiles

ARGYLE (3)

Candidates:

Current MLA: Chris d'Entremont (PC), Minister of Health, Minister of Acadian Affairs, Chair of the Senior Citizens' Secretariat

Riding Profile: Argyle, at the southern tip of Nova Scotia, is home to several small coastal communities in Yarmouth county including Wedgeport, Argyle, and the various Pubnicos (Lower East to Lower West and in between). Fishing is the economic mainstay of the area, although manufacturing and the services sector also provide significant employment.

The riding was created in 1981 (it used to be part of Yarmouth) and is predominantly Acadian, or French speaking, although there are many English descendants of Loyalist families.

The unemployment rate in this area is about 10 per cent and the average household income is just under $25,000. About 50 per cent of the area's residents have not completed high school.

Argyle is home to the Tuna Sport Fishing Museum in Wedgeport and a re-created Historic Acadien village at West Pubnico. Nova Scotia Power is considering locating a wind farm in the riding.

Political History: Although its political history is brief (created in 1981) Argyle has the distinction of often picking the winning government side. It has swung back and forth between the Liberals and Conservatives.

Voter Turnout: 84 per cent in 2003.