St. Vital

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For the neighbourhood of Winnipeg in approximately the same location as this electoral division, see St. Vital, Winnipeg.

St. Vital is a provincial electoral division in the Canadian province of Manitoba.

[edit] Historical Riding

The original St. Vital riding was established at the time of the province's creation in 1870, as one of twelve "francophone" constituencies. It was eliminated in 1879, after a redistribution process which reduced the level of francophone representation in the province.

[edit] List of provincial representatives

[edit] Current riding

The modern St. Vital riding was created by redistribution in 1957, and has formally existed since the provincial election of 1958. The riding is located in the central-eastern section of the City of Winnipeg.

St. Vital is bordered to the east by St. Boniface and Southdale, to the south by Riel, to the north by St. Boniface and to the west by Riel, Lord Roberts and Fort Garry.

The riding's population in 1996 was 20,255. Its character is mostly middle-class, although 28% of the riding's residents are categorized as low income. As of 1999, the average family income was $44,868, and the unemployment rate was 7.90%. Ten per cent of the riding's residents are francophone, and 7% are aboriginal. Almost half the riding's dwelling are rental units.

The service sector accounts for 16% of St. Vital's industry, with a further 13% in the retail trade.

St. Vital was represented by members of the Progressive Conservative party from 1958 to 1971. Since then, it has generally been represented by members of the NDP, although the Liberals held the seat for one term from 1988-1990, and the Progressive Conservatives for two terms from 1990-1999. Particularly following the 1998 boundary changes, the riding is now generally regarded as safe for the NDP.

The current MLA is Nancy Allan, who was re-elected with over 60% of the vote in 2003 and again in 2007.

[edit] List of provincial representatives