Victoria (British Columbia provincial electoral district)

Victoria was a provincial electoral district in the Canadian province of British Columbia, and was one of the first twelve ridings at the time of that province's joining Confederation in 1871 and stayed on the hustings until 1890. From 1894 to 1963 it did not appear on the electoral map. During that period the Victoria area was represented by North Victoria, South Victoria, Saanich, Esquimalt, Oak Bay and Victoria City. In 1966 the old Victoria City riding was redistributed and given the name of the old "rural" riding, Victoria.

Demographics

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Population, 1961
Population change, 1871–1961
Area (km2)
Population density (people per km2)

Political geography

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Notable elections

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Notable MLAs

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Electoral history

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1871 British Columbia general election
Party Candidate Votes % Elected
Independent Arthur Bunster 123 32.63%  Y
Independent William Dalby 103 27.32%
Independent Amor De Cosmos 151 40.05%  Y
Total valid votes 377
British Columbia provincial by-election, 26 November 1874
upon resignations of A. Bunster and A. De Cosmos
Party Candidate Votes % Elected
Independent William Dalby 97 21.90%
Independent Charles William Horth 25 5.64%
Independent James Thomas McIlmoyl 72 16.25%
Independent William Archibald Robertson 108 24.38%  Y
Independent William Fraser Tolmie 141 31.83%  Y
Total valid votes 443
The byelection was due to resignations February 9, 1874 of A. Bunster and A. De Cosmos upon winning seats in the federal election January 22, 1874 (in Vancouver and Victoria federal ridings, respectively).
1875 British Columbia general election: Victoria
Party Candidate Votes % Elected
Reform caucus Thomas Basil Humphreys 89 33.58  Y
Reform caucus William Fraser Tolmie 65 24.53  Y
Independent William Reay 51 19.25
Independent Noah Shakespeare 48 18.11
Independent Michael Baker 12 4.53
Total valid votes 265 100.00
1878 British Columbia general election: Victoria
Party Candidate Votes % Elected
Opposition James Thomas McIlmoyl 102 20.06  Y
Opposition Thomas Basil Humphreys 99 32.04  Y
Reform caucus William Fraser Tolmie 62 20.06
Independent Thomas Lee 46 14.89
Total valid votes 309 100.00
British Columbia provincial by-election, 10 July 1878
due to Humphreys' appointment to cabinet
Party Candidate Votes
Independent Thomas Basil Humphreys Acclaimed
The byelection was called due to Humphreys' resignation upon his appointment to the Executive Council (cabinet) June 26, 1878. This byelection was one of a series held to confirm appointments to the Executive Council, which was the old parliamentary convention. As this byelection writ was filled by acclamation, no polling day was required and the seat was filled within two weeks. The stated date is the date the return of writs was received by the Chief Electoral Officer.

Sources

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