Steinbach (electoral district)

The 2011- Boundaries for Steinbach highlighted in red.

Steinbach is a provincial electoral division in the Canadian province of Manitoba. It was created by redistribution in 1989, and has formally existed since the provincial election of 1990. For the 2011 election, Steinbach was redistributed again, it was also contracted for the second consecutive time as population densities in the city and area grew.

Steinbach is located in southeastern Manitoba. It is bordered by Emerson to the west, La Verendrye to the south and east, Dawson Trail to the north, and Morris to the west.^[1] Leading communities in the riding include Steinbach, Mitchell, and Kleefeld.

Thirty-four per cent of the riding's residents list German as their ethnic origin, and a further 7% list themselves as Dutch. There is a very strong Mennonite presence in the riding. Steinbach's population in 2006 was 19,415. In the year 1999, the average family income was $46,133, and the unemployment rate was 5.00%. Manufacturing accounts for 17% of the riding's industry, followed by agriculture at 14%.

The riding has been held by the Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba since its creation, and is considered extremely safe for that party. The rural nature of Steinbach in addition to the Mennonite and religious background of the city promotes a strong social conservative political mainstay in the city and area. The term "yellow dog riding" is sometimes applied to the riding as it is often said in jest that conservatives could run a yellow dog as the candidate and they would still win the election.^[2] The current MLA is Kelvin Goertzen, who was first elected with almost 75% of the vote in 2003. Goertzen is the deputy leader of the Progressive Conservatives in Manitoba.^[3]

List of provincial representatives

Electoral results

Previous boundaries

The 1999-2011 boundaries for Steinbach highlighted in red.

References

Coordinates: 49°31′55″N 96°43′44″W / 49.532°N 96.729°W / 49.532; -96.729