Niagara Centre (federal electoral district)

Niagara Centre (French: Niagara-Centre; formerly Welland) is a federal electoral district in the Niagara Region of Ontario that has been represented in the House of Commons of Canada from 1867 to 1988 and since 1997.

Niagara Centre
Ontario electoral district
Niagara Centre in relation to nearby electoral districts
Federal electoral district
LegislatureHouse of Commons
MP
 
 
 
Vance Badawey
Liberal
District created1996
First contested1997
Last contested2021
District webpageprofile, map
Demographics
Population (2016)[1]109,067
Electors (2019)90,698
Area (km²)[1]301.26
Pop. density (per km²)362
Census division(s)Niagara
Census subdivision(s)Welland, Thorold, Port Colborne, St. Catharines

Under the 2022 Canadian federal electoral redistribution the riding will be renamed Niagara South.[2]

Demographics

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According to the 2021 Canadian census[3]

Ethnic groups: 83.0% White, 5.1% Indigenous, 3.1% Black, 2.5% South Asian, 1.3% Chinese, 1.2% Latin American, 1.0% Filipino
Languages: 81.0% English, 4.5% French, 2.2% Italian, 1.1% Spanish
Religions: 60.5% Christian (32.7% Catholic, 5.3% Anglican, 3.5% United Church, 1.8% Presbyterian, 1.3% Baptist, 1.2% Lutheran, 1.1% Pentecostal, 13.6% Other), 2.1% Muslim, 35.2% None
Median income: $37,600 (2020)
Average income: $46,040 (2020)

Geography

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Niagara Centre consists of the cities of Welland, Thorold, and Port Colborne, and the part of the City of St. Catharines lying south of a line drawn from the southern city limit north along First Louth St, east along St. Paul Street West, northeast along St. Paul Crescent, east and south along Twelve Mile Creek, and east along Glendale Avenue to the eastern city limit.[4]

History

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Welland was originally created in 1867 by the British North America Act. It consisted initially of the Townships of Bertie, Crowland, Humberstone, Stamford, Thorold, and Willoughby, and the Villages of Chippawa, Clifton, Fort Erie, Thorold and Welland.

In 1892, the riding was redefined to exclude reference to the Village of Clifton, and include the villages of Niagara Falls and Port Colborne, and the town of Niagara Falls. In 1903, it was redefined to consist of the county of Welland.

In 1952, it was redefined to consist of the townships of Pelham, Thorold, Crowland, Humberstone and Wainfleet, including the city of Welland and the towns of Port Colborne, Thorold, Fonthill and Humberstone.

In 1966, it was redefined to consist of:

  • in Welland County, the City of Welland and the Townships of Crowland, Humberstone and Wainfleet; and
  • in Haldimand County, the Townships of Canborough, Dunn, Moulton and Sherbrooke.

In 1976, it was redefined to consist of the City of Welland, the Town of Thorold, and the part of the City of St. Catharines lying south of the Canadian National Railway.

The electoral district was abolished in 1987 when it was redistributed between Welland—St. Catharines—Thorold, St. Catharines and Erie ridings.

A new riding, named Niagara Centre was created in 1996 from parts of Erie and Welland—St. Catharines—Thorold ridings. It existed only for the 1997 and 2000 elections.

It consisted of the Town of Pelham, the City of Welland, the southern part of the City of St. Catharines, and the part of the City of Thorold lying west of the Welland Canal.

The electoral district was abolished in 2003 when it was redistributed between Niagara West—Glanbrook, St. Catharines and Welland ridings.

In 2003, a new Welland riding was created from parts of Erie—Lincoln, Niagara Centre, Niagara Falls and St. Catharines ridings.

Welland was abolished in 2013, and was largely replaced by a new riding named Niagara Centre. The riding lost Wainfleet and the rural southwestern corner of St. Catharines.

Members of Parliament

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This riding has elected the following members of Parliament:

Parliament Years Member Party
Welland
1st  1867–1872     Thomas Clark Street Conservative
2nd  1872–1872
 1872–1874     William Alexander Thomson Liberal
3rd  1874–1878
4th  1878–1882     Christopher William Bunting Conservative
5th  1882–1887 John Ferguson
6th  1887–1891
7th  1891–1892     William Manley German Liberal
 1892–1896 James A. Lowell
8th  1896–1900     William McCleary Conservative
9th  1900–1904     William Manley German Liberal
10th  1903–1908
11th  1908–1911
12th  1911–1917
13th  1917–1921     Evan Eugene Fraser Government (Unionist)
14th  1921–1925     William Manley German Liberal
15th  1925–1926     George Hamilton Pettit Conservative
16th  1926–1930
17th  1930–1935
18th  1935–1940     Arthur Damude Liberal
19th  1940–1941
 1942–1945 Humphrey Mitchell
20th  1945–1949
21st  1949–1950
 1950–1953 William Hector McMillan
22nd  1953–1957
23rd  1957–1958
24th  1958–1962
25th  1962–1963
26th  1963–1965
27th  1965–1968 Donald Tolmie
28th  1968–1972
29th  1972–1974 Victor Railton
30th  1974–1979
31st  1979–1980 Gilbert Parent
32nd  1980–1984
33rd  1984–1988     Allan Pietz Progressive Conservative
Riding dissolved into Welland—St. Catharines—Thorold,
St. Catharines and Erie
Niagara Centre
Riding created from Erie and Welland—St. Catharines—Thorold
36th  1997–2000     Gilbert Parent Liberal
37th  2000–2004 Tony Tirabassi
Welland
38th  2004–2006     John David Maloney Liberal
39th  2006–2008
40th  2008–2011     Malcolm Allen New Democratic
41st  2011–2015
Niagara Centre
42nd  2015–2019     Vance Badawey Liberal
43rd  2019–2021
44th  2021–present

Election results

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Graph of election results in Niagara Centre/Welland (1997–, parties that never received 2% of the vote are omitted)

Niagara Centre, 2015–present

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2021 Canadian federal election
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Expenditures
Liberal Vance Badawey 20,576 35.0 ±0.0 $110,313.54
Conservative Graham Speck 18,324 31.2 +0.2 $47,554.12
New Democratic Melissa McGlashan 14,086 24.0 -2.7 $35,052.11
People's Michael Kimmons 4,670 7.9 +6.6 $9,696.81
Green Kurtis McCartney 1,123 1.9 -3.4 $1,496.71
Total valid votes 58,779 99.3
Total rejected ballots 437 0.7
Turnout 59,216 63.5
Eligible voters 93,264
Liberal hold Swing -0.1
Source: Elections Canada[5]
2021 federal election redistributed results[6]
Party Vote %
  Conservative 21,920 33.41
  Liberal 21,622 32.96
  New Democratic 14,952 22.79
  People's 5,869 8.95
  Green 1,247 1.90
2019 Canadian federal election: Niagara Centre
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Expenditures
Liberal Vance Badawey 20,292 35.01 -0.68 $78,098.76
Conservative April Jeffs 17,987 31.03 +1.32 none listed
New Democratic Malcolm Allen 15,469 26.69 -4.80 none listed
Green Michael Tomaino 3,054 5.27 +2.86 $2,561.88
People's Andrew Sainz-Nieto 776 1.34 none listed
Christian Heritage Nic Bylsma 308 0.53 none listed
Marxist–Leninist Robert Walker 77 0.13 -0.04 none listed
Total valid votes/expense limit 57,963 99.08
Total rejected ballots 539 0.92 +0.33
Turnout 58,502 64.31 -1.33
Eligible voters 90,698
Liberal hold Swing -1.00
Source: Elections Canada[7][8]
2015 Canadian federal election
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Expenditures
Liberal Vance Badawey 19,513 35.68 +21.32 $68,715.34
New Democratic Malcolm Allen 17,218 31.49 -11.68 $112,516.69
Conservative Leanna Villella 16,248 29.71 -9.36 $53,250.55
Green David Clow 1,316 2.41 -0.07 -
Animal Alliance Jody Di Bartolomeo 291 0.53 $118.73
Marxist–Leninist Ron J. Walker 96 0.18
Total valid votes/Expense limit 54,682 99.41 - $218,835.14
Total rejected ballots 323 0.59
Turnout 55,005 65.64
Eligible voters 83,799
Liberal gain from New Democratic Swing +16.50
Source: Elections Canada[9][10]

Welland, 2003–2015

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2011 Canadian federal election
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Expenditures
New Democratic Malcolm Allen 21,917 42.2 +9.3
Conservative Leanna Villella 20,895 40.2 +7.9
Liberal John Maloney 7,276 14 -13.9
Green Robin Williamson 1,297 2.5 -3
Christian Heritage David Vangoolen 299 0.6
Independent Ray Game 169 0.3
Marxist–Leninist Ron Walker 71 0.1 -0.1
Total valid votes/Expense limit 51,924 100.00
Total rejected ballots 293 0.6
Turnout 52,217 61.8
Eligible voters 84,434
2008 Canadian federal election
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Expenditures
New Democratic Malcolm Allen 16,842 32.9 +2.3 $67,119
Conservative Alf Kiers 16,542 32.3 +2.8 $84,414
Liberal John Maloney 14,295 27.9 -7.6 $84,267
Green Jennifer Mooradian 2,816 5.5 +2.1
Independent Jody Di Bartolomeo 569 1.1
Marxist–Leninist Ron Walker 114 0.2
Total valid votes/Expense limit 51,178 100.0 $88,895
2006 Canadian federal election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal John Maloney 20,238 35.6 -4.0
New Democratic Jody Di Bartolomeo 17,484 30.7 +1.2
Conservative Mel Grunstein 16,665 29.3 +3.1
Green Brian Simpson 1,960 3.4 +0.5
Christian Heritage Irma D. Ruiter 536 0.9 -0.6
Total valid votes 56,883 100.0
2004 Canadian federal election
Party Candidate Votes %
Liberal John Maloney 19,642 39.6
New Democratic Jody Di Bartolomeo 14,623 29.5
Conservative Mel Grunstein 12,997 26.2
Green Ryan McLaughlin 1,454 2.9
Christian Heritage Irma D. Ruiter 735 1.5
Marxist–Leninist Ron Walker 113 0.2
Total valid votes 49,564 100.0

Niagara Centre, 1996–2003

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2000 Canadian federal election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Tony Tirabassi 21,641 45.73 -3.97
Alliance Bernie Law 13,313 28.13 +3.29
New Democratic Mike Grimaldi 7,029 14.85 +3.50
Progressive Conservative Joe Atkinson 4,893 10.34 -1.67
Canadian Action Tom Prue 290 0.61
Marxist–Leninist Ron Walker 149 0.31 +0.02
Source:Elections Canada[11]

Note:The 2000 Alliance vote is compared to the 1997 Reform vote

1997 Canadian federal election
Party Candidate Votes %
Liberal Gilbert Parent 24,115 49.70
Reform Don Johnstone 12,053 24.84
Progressive Conservative Joe Atkinson 5,827 12.01
New Democratic James Wilson 5,510 11.35
Christian Heritage David Bylsma 515 1.06
Natural Law Anne Larrass 363 0.75
Marxist–Leninist Ron Walker 143 0.29
Source:Elections Canada[11]

Welland, 1867–1987

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1984 Canadian federal election: Welland
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Progressive Conservative Allan Pietz 18,418 42.0 +14.7
Liberal Gilbert Parent 14,481 33.0 -10.8
New Democratic Rob Dobrucki 10,508 24.0 -4.4
Green Andrew Rivett 284 0.6
Communist John MacLennan 145 0.3 +0.1
Total valid votes 43,836 100.0
1980 Canadian federal election: Welland
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Gilbert Parent 18,112 43.8 +6.6
New Democratic Robert Wright 11,729 28.4 +2.5
Progressive Conservative George Krusell 11,292 27.3 -8.7
Communist John Severinsky 95 0.2 0.0
Marxist–Leninist Ron Walker 78 0.2 0.0
Total valid votes 41,306 100.0
lop.parl.ca
1979 Canadian federal election: Welland
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Gilbert Parent 16,025 37.2 -19.3
Progressive Conservative Allan E. Pietz 15,527 36.1 +11.8
New Democratic Robert Wright 11,151 25.9 +7.3
Independent John L. Sabados 218 0.5
Communist John Severinsky 83 0.2 -0.4
Marxist–Leninist Ron Walker 62 0.1
Total valid votes 43,066 100.0
1974 Canadian federal election: Welland
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Victor Railton 21,228 56.5 +7.2
Progressive Conservative Alex McCrae 9,107 24.2 -7.3
New Democratic Jim McPherson 6,983 18.6 -0.5
Communist John Severinsky 238 0.6
Total valid votes 37,556 100.0
1972 Canadian federal election: Welland
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Victor Railton 18,693 49.3 -0.5
Progressive Conservative Kent Hodgson 11,977 31.6 +14.0
New Democratic Ronald Cook 7,256 19.1 -13.5
Total valid votes 37,926 100.0
1968 Canadian federal election: Welland
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Donald R. Tolmie 17,335 49.8 -0.5
New Democratic Robert Wright 11,363 32.6 +6.7
Progressive Conservative Franklin Bud Law 6,129 17.6 -6.3
Total valid votes 34,827 100.0
1965 Canadian federal election: Welland
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Donald R. Tolmie 17,869 50.2 -5.0
New Democratic Robert Wright 9,206 25.9 +12.0
Progressive Conservative T.G. Spencer 8,496 23.9
Total valid votes 35,571 100.0
1963 Canadian federal election: Welland
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal William Hector McMillan 19,879 55.3 +7.7
Progressive Conservative Francis Goldring 9,291 25.8 -7.2
New Democratic Guy Mersereau 5,010 13.9 -2.9
Social Credit J.M. Patterson 1,413 3.9 +2.2
Communist Frank Haslam 372 1.0 +0.2
Total valid votes 35,965 100.0
1962 Canadian federal election: Welland
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal William Hector McMillan 17,614 47.6 +4.9
Progressive Conservative Allan Pietz 12,209 33.0 -6.1
New Democratic Mel Swart 6,225 16.8 -1.4
Social Credit W.F. Trelford 630 1.7
Communist Frank Haslam 317 0.9
Total valid votes 36,995 100.0

Note: NDP vote is compared to CCF vote in 1958 election.

1958 Canadian federal election: Welland
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal William Hector McMillan 15,365 42.7 +0.3
Progressive Conservative Allan Ernest Pietz 14,053 39.1 +5.1
Co-operative Commonwealth Mel Swart 6,550 18.2 -5.4
Total valid votes 35,968 100.0
1957 Canadian federal election: Welland
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal William Hector McMillan 13,241 42.4 -12.8
Progressive Conservative William Bigelow Wellington 10,620 34.0 +7.6
Co-operative Commonwealth Melvin L. Swart 7,356 23.6 +7.8
Total valid votes 31,217 100.0
1953 Canadian federal election: Welland
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal William Hector McMillan 15,411 55.2 +6.5
Progressive Conservative Clarence Lavern Robins 7,373 26.4 -6.0
Co-operative Commonwealth Melvin L. Swart 4,408 15.8 +0.9
Labor–Progressive Frank Haslam 721 2.6 -1.4
Total valid votes 27,913 100.0
Canadian federal by-election, 16 October 1950: Welland
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
On Mr. Mitchell's death, 1 August 1950
Liberal William Hector McMillan 19,553 48.7 +1.4
Progressive Conservative Sam Hughes 13,031 32.4 +6.0
Co-operative Commonwealth Melvin L. Swart 5,972 14.9 -8.0
Labor–Progressive Melbourne A. Doig 1,616 4.0 +0.6
Total valid votes 40,172 100.0
1949 Canadian federal election: Welland
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Humphrey Mitchell 23,734 47.3 +3.7
Progressive Conservative Sam Hughes 13,259 26.4 -6.3
Co-operative Commonwealth Armour McCrae 11,493 22.9 +6.4
Labor–Progressive Melbourne A. Doig 1,711 3.4
Total valid votes 50,197 100.0
1945 Canadian federal election: Welland
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Humphrey Mitchell 19,522 43.6 +1.3
Progressive Conservative Thomas Oscar Oliver 14,637 32.7
Co-operative Commonwealth Harland Roy Potter 7,383 16.5 -5.3
Farmer–Labour Fern A. Sayles 3,258 7.3
Total valid votes 44,800 100.0
Canadian federal by-election, 9 February 1942: Welland
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
On Mr. Damude's death, 15 September 1941
Liberal Humphrey Mitchell 11,875 42.3 -10.2 [12]
Independent J. Douglas Watt 10,106 36.0
Co-operative Commonwealth Mark Kriluk 6,122 21.8 +14.1
Total valid votes 28,103 100.0
1940 Canadian federal election: Welland
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Arthur Damude 19,132 52.5 +1.9
National Government Allan Brooks 14,491 39.8 +5.1
Co-operative Commonwealth Ernest Woodworth 2,818 7.7 -3.5
Total valid votes 36,441 100.0

Note: "National Government" vote is compared to Conservative vote in 1935 election.

1935 Canadian federal election: Welland
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Arthur Damude 17,324 50.6 +5.0
Conservative Fred M. Cairns 11,850 34.6 -19.7
Co-operative Commonwealth Thomas C. Daly 3,836 11.2
Reconstruction W. Herbert Smith 1,200 3.5
Total valid votes 34,210 100.0
1930 Canadian federal election: Welland
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative George Hamilton Pettit 15,503 54.3 +1.7
Liberal Arthur Byron Damude 13,037 45.7 -1.7
Total valid votes 28,540 100.0
Source: lop.parl.ca
1926 Canadian federal election: Welland
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative George Hamilton Pettit 14,331 52.6 -7.7
Liberal William Manly German 12,890 47.4 +7.7
Total valid votes 27,221 100.0
1925 Canadian federal election: Welland
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative George Hamilton Pettit 12,753 60.4 +30.3
Liberal Harry Punshon Stephens 8,373 39.6 -13.3
Total valid votes 21,126 100.0
1921 Canadian federal election: Welland
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal William Manly German 11,195 52.9 +13.5
Conservative Evan Eugene Fraser 6,365 30.1 -15.9
Progressive Joseph Henry Staley 3,437 16.2
Independent Henry Speakman 156 0.7
Total valid votes 21,153 100.0

Note: Conservative vote is compared to Government vote in 1917 election, and Liberal vote is compared to Opposition vote.

1917 Canadian federal election: Welland
Party Candidate Votes %
Government (Unionist) Evan Eugene Fraser 5,378 46.0
Opposition (Laurier Liberals) William Manly German 4,616 39.5
Labour James Arthur Hughes 1,704 14.6
Total valid votes 11,698 100.0
1911 Canadian federal election: Welland
Party Candidate Votes
Liberal William Manly German acclaimed
1908 Canadian federal election: Welland
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal William Manly German 4,449 53.9 -3.6
Conservative George Hanan 3,806 46.1
Total valid votes 8,255 100.0
1904 Canadian federal election: Welland
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal William Manly German 3,543 57.5 +5.4
Conservative Walter Upper 2,621 42.5
Total valid votes 6,164 100.0
1900 Canadian federal election: Welland
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal William Manly German 2,777 52.1 +3.7
Conservative William McCleary 2,557 47.9 -3.7
Total valid votes 5,334 100.0
1896 Canadian federal election: Welland
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative William McCleary 2,705 51.6 +6.1
Liberal James A. Lowell 2,536 48.4 -6.1
Total valid votes 5,241 100.0

Note: popular vote is compared to redsult in 1891 general election.

By-election on 29 April 1892

On Mr. German being unseated, 5 April 1892

Party Candidate Votes
Liberal James A. Lowell acclaimed


1891 Canadian federal election: Welland
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal William M. German 2,726 54.5
Conservative John Ferguson 2,279 45.5 -6.6
Total valid votes 5,005 100.0
1887 Canadian federal election: Welland
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative John Ferguson 2,622 52.1 +0.4
Unknown Thos. Conlon 2,410 47.9
Total valid votes 5,032 100.0
1882 Canadian federal election: Welland
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative John Ferguson 1,965 51.7 +0.2
Unknown B.B. Osler 1,833 48.3
Total valid votes 3,798 100.0
1878 Canadian federal election: Welland
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal–Conservative Christopher William Bunting 1,926 51.6
Unknown H. Edwin 1,810 48.4
Total valid votes 3,736 100.0
1874 Canadian federal election: Welland
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal William Alexander Thomson 1,682 53.0 +2.0
Unknown E.W. Brookfield 1,493 47.0
Total valid votes 3,175 100.0
Source: lop.parl.ca
Canadian federal by-election, 23 November 1872: Welland
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
On Mr. Street's death, 6 August 1872
Liberal William Alexander Thomson 1,539 51.0
Unknown Richard S. King 1,480 49.0
Total valid votes 3,019 100.0
1872 Canadian federal election: Welland
Party Candidate Votes %
Conservative Thomas Clark Street 1,590 60.0
Unknown A.G. Hill 1,060 40.0
Total valid votes 2,650 100.0
Source: Canadian Elections Database[13]
1867 Canadian federal election: Welland
Party Candidate Votes
Conservative Thomas Clark Street acclaimed
Source: Canadian Elections Database[14]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Statistics Canada: 2016
  2. ^ https://redecoupage-redistribution-2022.ca/com/on/fbnd/35071/index_e.aspx [bare URL]
  3. ^ Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (February 9, 2022). "Profile table, Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population - Niagara Centre [Federal electoral district (2013 Representation Order)], Ontario". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved March 9, 2023.
  4. ^ Canada, Elections. "Niagara Centre". www.elections.ca.
  5. ^ "List of confirmed candidates – September 20, 2021 Federal Election". Elections Canada. Retrieved September 2, 2021.
  6. ^ "Transposition of Votes from the 44th General Election to the 2023 Representation Orders". Elections Canada. Retrieved April 9, 2024.
  7. ^ "List of confirmed candidates". Elections Canada. Retrieved October 4, 2019.
  8. ^ "Official Voting Results". Elections Canada. Retrieved June 28, 2021.
  9. ^ Canada, Elections. "Voter Information Service - Find your electoral district". www.elections.ca.
  10. ^ Canada, Elections. "Error page". www.elections.ca.
  11. ^ a b "Niagara Centre ELECTORAL DISTRICT NO. 35051". elections.ca. Elections Canada. Archived from the original on April 30, 2002. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
  12. ^ "Final Standings in By-Elections", Toronto Daily Star, February 10, 1942
  13. ^ Sayers, Anthony M. "1872 Federal Election". Canadian Elections Database. Archived from the original on February 3, 2024.
  14. ^ Sayers, Anthony M. "1867 Federal Election". Canadian Elections Database. Archived from the original on January 22, 2024.


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43°00′32″N 79°16′48″W / 43.009°N 79.280°W / 43.009; -79.280