Labrador (electoral district)

Categories: Newfoundland and Labrador federal electoral districts

Labrador is a federal electoral district in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. It covers all of Labrador. In 2001, its population was 27,864. Map

It was previously known as Grand Falls—White Bay—Labrador, and before that as Grand Falls—White Bay.

Demographics

Ethnic groups: 65.1% White, 34.9% Native Canadian
Languages: 90.0% English, 1.7% French, 7.9% Other
Religions: 67.4% Protestant, 28.4% Catholic, 3.4% No Affiliation
Average income: $27,138

Geography

The district includes all of Labrador, and Belle Isle. Communities include Labrador City, Happy Valley-Goose Bay, and Wabush. The area is 294,330 km²

History

The electoral district was created in 1949 upon the admission of Newfoundland to Canada. Between 1949 and 1988, this district was attached to the Island of Newfoundland, where more than half of its electorate resided. From 1972, it was held by Liberal Bill Rompkey. When he was appointed to the Canadian Senate in 1995, a by-election was held, and Lawrence O'Brien was elected. He held the district until his death in 2004.

A by-election was held on May 24, 2005, with the result tipping the balance of the evenly split 38th Parliament. The Liberal candidate, Todd Russell, who was heavily favoured, ended up winning, but with a reduced percentage from the 2004 election.

Members of Parliament for Labrador and predecessor districts

1. Thomas Asbourne, Liberal (1949-1956)
2. Charles Granger, Liberal (1956-1966)
3. Andrew Chatwood, Liberal (1966-1968)
4. Ambrose Peddle, Progressive Conservative (1968-1972)
5. Bill Rompkey, Liberal (1972-1995)
6. Lawrence O'Brien, Liberal (1996-2004)
7. Todd Russell, Liberal (2005-present)

Labrador election results

2005 by-election

On December 16, 2004, MP Lawrence O'Brien died of cancer. Prime Minister Paul Martin called a federal by-election for May 24, 2005. There was a possibility the by-election will not be held because of a non-confidence vote the week prior, that would have toppled the government, sending Canadians to the polls, and would have superseded the by-election. However, the motion failed by one vote, ensuring a by-election in Labrador.

Issues

The seat has traditionally been a Liberal stronghold, and O'Brien always carried the riding with comfortable pluralities. However, the federal Liberals had lost popularity in Atlantic Canada since the 2004 federal election, largely due to disputes with the Progressive Conservative provincial governments of these provinces, especially that of Newfoundland and Labrador over the relationship between offshore petroleum revenues and equalization payments.

Historically, governing parties fare poorly in federal by-elections. However, this by-election was especially significant due to the make-up of the 38th Canadian Parliament. Following the 2004 election, the Liberals combined with the left-leaning New Democratic Party held 154 seats, or exactly half of the 308-seat House of Commons. Furthermore, with former Liberal MP Carolyn Parrish now expelled from that party, the two parties' combined total (prior to O'Brien's death) had been reduced to 153 (or 152 who are eligible to vote since the Speaker was elected as a Liberal). The Liberals were anxious to retain the seat, as its loss would leave the opposition Conservative Party of Canada or the separatist Bloc Québécois as the only viable partners for the Liberals to get legislation passed in the House. Former Liberal MP David Kilgour had left the party, further reducing its strength.

Since the general election, it had been suggested that the New Democratic Party refrain from contesting by-elections in seats where the Liberals were strong but the NDP are not, to avoid splitting the vote and thus help improve the chances securing a better position for the NDP in the House. Labrador would certainly be a prime example of such a seat - the NDP finished a distant fourth in the 2004 poll. However, historically the NDP has been adamant in contesting all by-elections, and NDP leader Jack Layton showed little interest in any such proposal. The NDP nominated Frances Fry on April 23 feeling it had a chance in this seat due to the Liberal fall in polls and the fact that the provincial NDP had one of its 2 seats in Labrador.

Results

In the end, the Liberals picked up an easy victory, as expected, but while their actual vote total did not go down by much, their percentage of the vote went down over 10 points from the previous election as turnout was over 9% more than in the 2004 election. This high turnout is virtually unheard of for by-elections which normally have extremely poor turnouts. The additional voters appear to have been brought out by the tense national political situation and mostly voted for the Conservatives who picked up nearly 17 points and the New Democrats who also increased their vote total.

2004 federal election

Despite being ill, incumbent Lawrence O'Brien won in a massive landslide.

Results

Conservative Party change is based on the combination of Canadian Alliance and Progressive Conservative Party totals.

External links

• Riding history for Grand Falls—White Bay (1949–1952) from the Library of Parliament

• Riding history for Grand Falls—White Bay—Labrador (1952–1987) from the Library of Parliament

• Riding history for Labrador (1987– ) from the Library of Parliament