Election 2021 Riding Profile: Winnipeg Centre

NDP, Liberals battling over core Winnipeg riding Jeff Keele reports on an NDP stronghold riding that the Liberals are looking to turn red on election day.

WINNIPEG — Manitobans can find out more information on the riding of Winnipeg Centre, including who is running, the riding's political history and demographics.

Candidates

Note: a * indicates an incumbent candidate.

2019 Federal Election

New Democrat Leah Gazan won the riding by over 2,300 votes, regaining an NDP stronghold after a sole term from Liberal incumbent Robert-Falcon Ouellette. Previously, NDP MP Pat Martin had held the riding for six consecutive terms.

History

• The riding was first created in 1914, electing a unionist MP in 1917.

• The riding swung to the left following the 1919 General Strike.

• In 1921, it elected Labour Independent J.S. Woodsworth.

• In 1924, the riding was turned into Winnipeg North Centre, until 1997. It was then re-created as Winnipeg Centre.

• From 1997 to 2011, the riding was held by NDP MP Pat Martin.

• It swung to the centre in 2015, electing Liberal MP Robert-Falcon Ouellette.

Boundaries

• Winnipeg Centre sits between the Assiniboine River and the Canadian Pacific Railway.

• It is bordered by the James Richardson International Airport and by the Red River.

Industries

• The riding includes the large majority of downtown Winnipeg including Portage Place Shopping Centre, and the Exchange District.

• It includes the Health Sciences Centre, along with the University of Winnipeg and a number of Red River College campuses.

• The riding is home to the Manitoba Legislative Building, the Hudson’s Bay Company, and the Great West Life building.

Demographics

Note: according to Statistics Canada’s 2016 census data

• Has a population of 85,949

• Average income in the riding is $33,542

• 39.8 per cent identify of the population as a visible minority

• 18.5 per cent of the population identify as Indigenous