Minnedosa (electoral district)

Minnedosa is a provincial electoral division in the Canadian province of Manitoba. It was created in 1881 with the expansion of the province's western boundary, and has existed continuously since that time. From 1886 to 1888, it was divided into Minnedosa East and Minnedosa West.

Minnedosa is located in the southwestern region of Manitoba. It is bordered by Russell to the north, Ste. Rose to the east, Turtle Mountain to the east and south, and Arthur-Virden to the south and west. The constituency also surrounds the City of Brandon, which is divided into the ridings of Brandon East and Brandon West.

Minnedosa itself is the largest community in the constituency. Other communities in the include Souris, Rivers, Rapid City, Shilo, Basswood, Wawanesa and Erickson.

Minnedosa's population in 1996 was 18,694. As of 1999, the average family income was $46,627, and the unemployment rate was 3.50%. Agriculture accounts for 22% of the riding's industry, followed by government services at 12% and health and social services at 12%.

Six per cent of the population is of German background, and 15% are over 65 years of age.

Minnedosa has been held by the Progressive Conservative Party for several decades, but the New Democratic Party have made serious efforts to win the seat in recent years. In the provincial election of 2003, the Tories retained the seat by only 12 votes, but in the 2007 Election the Progressive Conservative incumbent Leanne Rowat won with 52.83% of the vote to the NDP candidate's 38.53% of the vote.

The constituency in the next election will be dissolved into the ridings of Spruce Woods, Riding Mountain, and Arthur-Virden

Contents

List of provincial representatives (Minnedosa, original constituency)

Name Party Took Office Left Office
John Crerar Lib 1881 1883
David H. Harrison Lib-Cons 1883 1886

List of provincial representatives (Minnedosa East)

Name Party Took Office Left Office
James Gillies Cons 1886 1888

List of provincial representatives (Minnedosa West)

Name Party Took Office Left Office
David H. Harrison Lib-Cons 1886 1888

List of provincial representatives (Minnedosa, re-established)

Name Party Took Office Left Office
James Gillies Lib-Cons 1888 1892
Robert Myers Lib 1892 1903
William B. Waddell Cons 1903 1910
John Thompson Lib 1910 1914
George Grierson Lib 1914 1922
Neil Cameron Prog 1922 1927
Earl Rutledge Cons 1927 1948
Henry Rungay Lib-Prog 1948 1953
Gilbert Hutton Social Credit 1953 1958
Charles Shuttleworth Lib-Prog 1958 1959
Walter Weir PC 1959 1971
Dave Blake PC 1971 1988
Harold Gilleshammer PC 1988 2003
Leanne Rowat PC 2003 present

Election results

2007 Manitoba provincial election : Minnedosa edit
Party Candidate Votes % +/- Expenditures
     Progressive Conservative (x)Leanne Rowat 3,790 52.79 +5.42 $22,692.31
     New Democratic Party Harvey Paterson 2,769 38.57 -8.62 $16,563.22
     Green James Beddome 281 3.91 +3.91 $1,661.53
     Liberal Christopher Baker 268 3.73 -0.17 $340.29
     Independent Colin Atkins 72 1.00 -0.54 $1,218.45
Total valid votes 7,180 99.68
Rejected and declined votes 23
Turnout 7,203 58.92 +2.77
Electors on the lists 12,225
2003 Manitoba provincial election : Minnedosa edit
Party Candidate Votes % +/- Expenditures
     Progressive Conservative Leanne Rowat 3,259 47.37 $18,639.72
     New Democratic Party Harvey Paterson 3,247 47.19 $17,900.63
     Liberal Gordon L. Powell 268 3.90 $2,590.10
     Independent Colin Atkins 106 1.54 $824.57
Total valid votes 6,880 100.00
Rejected and declined votes 23
Turnout 6,903 56.15
Electors on the lists 12,293

[1]

1999 Manitoba provincial election : Minnedosa edit
Party Candidate Votes % +/- Expenditures
     Progressive Conservative (x)Harold Gilleshammer 3,744 49.71 $20,513.01
     New Democratic Party Harvey Paterson 2,841 37.72 $3,103.00
     Liberal Gordon L. Powell 578 7.67 $4,886.09
     Manitoba Party Brion Pollon 369 4.90 $1,062.32
Total valid votes 7,532 100.00
Rejected and declined votes 37
Turnout 7,569 62.90
Electors on the lists 12,034

References