Ottawa Centre (federal electoral district)

Coordinates: 45°25′N 75°42′W / 45.417°N 75.700°W / 45.417; -75.700
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

45°25′N 75°42′W / 45.417°N 75.700°W / 45.417; -75.700

Ottawa Centre
Ontario electoral district
Ottawa Centre in relation to other electoral districts in Ottawa (2013 boundaries)
Federal electoral district
LegislatureHouse of Commons
MP
 
 
 
Yasir Naqvi
Liberal
District created1966
First contested1968
Last contested2021
District webpageprofile, map
Demographics
Population (2011)[1]113,619
Electors (2015)89,360
Area (km²)[2]35
Pop. density (per km²)3,246.3
Census division(s)Ottawa
Census subdivision(s)Ottawa

Ottawa Centre (French: Ottawa-Centre) is an urban federal electoral district in Ontario, Canada, that has been represented in the House of Commons of Canada since 1968. While the riding's boundaries (mainly to the south and west as the north and east borders have remained the Ottawa River and Rideau River, respectively) have changed over the years to account for population changes, the riding has always comprised the central areas of Ottawa, the nation's capital.

The House of Commons of Canada meets in the West Block of the Parliament Buildings on Parliament Hill, which is located within this district.

History[edit]

The riding was created in 1966 from Carleton, Ottawa West and Ottawa East ridings. It initially consisted of that part of Ottawa north of the Rideau River, west of a line following the Rideau Canal to the Canadian Pacific Railway line (currently about where Nicholas Street is), and generally east of Bayswater Road (now Ave.), and south of that the CPR line where the O-Train currently is.

1976 Federal Redistribution[edit]

The 1976 redistribution saw significant changes to the riding. It lost territory around Mechanicsville (north of Wellington Street West, west of the current O-Train) and Old Ottawa East (north of Clegg St), while gaining all of the Civic Hospital and Hintonburg neighbourhoods east of Holland Avenue and south of Wellington, Carleton Heights, Riverside Park and the Hunt Club area west of the current O-Train line.

1987 Federal Redistribution[edit]

The 1987 redistribution saw the riding expand westward to Island Park Drive, while losing all of its territory south of the Rideau River. Additionally, the riding gained back all of Old Ottawa East south of The Queensway.

1996 Federal Redistribution[edit]

The 1996 redistribution saw the riding expand further westward to Sherbourne Road / Maitland Avenue north of the Queensway, as well as gaining the eastern half of Carlington (east of Merivale Road). Also, the area of Old Ottawa East north of the Queensway was added back to the riding.

2003 Federal Redistribution[edit]

The riding did not change its boundaries in 2003.

2012 Federal Redistribution[edit]

Following the Canadian federal electoral redistribution, 2012, there was a minor change in the riding's southwestern boundary, which was moved from the former city limits to Baseline Road and Fisher Avenue.

2022 Federal Redistribution[edit]

The 2022 Federal Redistribution has become law and will be in effect for the next Federal election which must be held no later than 2025.

Several neighbourhoods in the west end of the riding were moved to Ottawa West—Nepean following the 2022 Canadian federal electoral redistribution. North of the Queensway the western boundary was moved from Maitland Ave and Sherbrooke Rd east to Golden Ave and then along Carling Ave. As a result the neighbourhoods of McKellar Park and McKellar Heights were shifted to Ottawa West—Nepean.

The south-west boundary along Merivale Rd was moved east to Fisher Ave, reallocating the entire Carlington neighbourhood to Ottawa West—Nepean (previously the eastern portion of Carlington was within Ottawa Centre).

This was somewhat compensated for by changes in the riding's southern boundary, which pushed south and east of the Rideau River for the first time following Bank St and the railway line north of Heron Rd. This change affects the neighbourhoods of Riverside Park, Billings Bridge and Heron Park which are in future part of Ottawa Centre and not Ottawa South.

Members of Parliament[edit]

The riding was won in the 1984 election by New Democrat Mike Cassidy. The riding was subsequently won by Liberal Mac Harb in the 1988 election who held it until 2003 when he was appointed to the Senate. The riding was left vacant by Prime Minister Paul Martin until the 2004 election when Ed Broadbent, a former leader of the NDP, defeated Liberal Richard Mahoney, a high-profile lawyer and Liberal strategist and long-time ally of former Prime Minister Paul Martin. The other candidates in 2004 were Mike Murphy of the Conservatives, David Chernushenko of the Greens, Louis Lang of the Marxist-Leninists, Michael Foster, Stuart Ryan of the Communists, Robert Gauthier, and Carla Marie Dancey. Paul Dewar, son of former Ottawa mayor, Marion Dewar, held the riding from 2006 until 2015. Notably, Dewar won the riding with 52 percent of ballots cast in the 2011 federal election.

Ottawa Centre is represented in the House of Commons of Canada by Yasir Naqvi from the Liberal Party of Canada.

Parliament Years Member Party
Ottawa Centre
Riding created from Carleton, Ottawa West and Ottawa East
28th  1968–1972     George McIlraith Liberal
29th  1972–1974 Hugh Poulin
30th  1974–1978
 1978–1979     Robert de Cotret Progressive Conservative
31st  1979–1980     John Leslie Evans Liberal
32nd  1980–1984
33rd  1984–1988     Michael Cassidy New Democratic
34th  1988–1993     Mac Harb Liberal
35th  1993–1997
36th  1997–2000
37th  2000–2003
38th  2004–2006     Ed Broadbent New Democratic
39th  2006–2008 Paul Dewar
40th  2008–2011
41st  2011–2015
42nd  2015–2019     Catherine McKenna Liberal
43rd  2019–2021
44th  2021–present Yasir Naqvi

Geography[edit]

The riding covers most of downtown Ottawa, including the Parliament Buildings. From the Rideau River, the riding stretches west encompassing the neighbourhoods of Downtown, Centretown (Centretown West which includes Little Italy is usually considered a distinct neighbourhood), LeBreton Flats, Civic Hospital, Mechanicsville, Hintonburg, Wellington Village, Westboro, eastern part of Carlington, Highland Park, and McKellar Park. The riding encompasses additional neighbourhoods south of downtown, including The Glebe, Old Ottawa South, Lees Avenue, Old Ottawa East and others.

Many public sector workers live in the riding. The northern part of the riding contains many government office buildings, including Parliament Hill. The riding also includes Carleton University and Saint Paul University's (where many UOttawa students have residence) campuses and residences.

Demographics[edit]

According to the 2021 Canadian census[3]

Ethnic groups: 72.4% White, 5.5% Black, 4.5% Chinese, 4.1% South Asian, 3.8% Indigenous, 2.4% Arab, 1.7% Southeast Asian, 1.4% Latin American, 1.0% West Asian
Languages: 67.0% English, 9.1% French, 1.9% Arabic, 1.8% Mandarin, 1.5% Spanish, 1.1% Cantonese, 1.1% Italian
Religions: 42.2% Christian (22.9% Catholic, 4.4% Anglican, 3.4% United Church, 1.8% Christian Orthodox, 1.0% Presbyterian, 8.7% Other), 4.8% Muslim, 2.0% Jewish, 1.4% Hindu, 1.3% Buddhist, 46.9% None
Median income: $54,800 (2020)
Average income: $77,800 (2020)

The Ottawa Centre riding has the highest percentage of master's degree holders in all of Canada (12.7%)[4]

In the 2015 election, the riding had the highest turnout in the country with just over 82% of electors casting a ballot in the election.[5]

Election results[edit]

Graph of election results in Ottawa Centre (parties that never got 2% of the vote are omitted)

2021 federal election[edit]

2021 Canadian federal election
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Expenditures
Liberal Yasir Naqvi 33,825 45.50 –3.16 $123,140.48
New Democratic Angella MacEwen 24,552 33.03 +3.99 $119,016.95
Conservative Carol Clemenhagen 11,650 15.67 +3.10 $87,213.88
Green Angela Keller-Herzog 2,115 2.84 –4.56 $34,113.84
People's Regina Watteel 1,605 2.16 +1.25 $8,682.43
Animal Protection Shelby Bertrand 261 0.35 +0.09 $3,741.29
Communist Alex McDonald 201 0.27 +0.13 $0.00
Independent Rich Joyal 132 0.18 - none listed
Total valid votes/Expense limit 74,341 $124,204.20
Total valid votes 74,341
Total rejected ballots 497
Turnout 74,838 77.17
Eligible voters 96,979
Liberal hold Swing –3.58
Source: Elections Canada[6]

2019 federal election[edit]

Still holding the Cabinet post of Environment Minister, Ms McKenna was challenged by a new NDP candidate, Emilie Taman, along with other challengers Carol Clemenhagen for the Conservative Party, Angela Keller-Herzog for the Green Party, and Merylee Sevilla for the People's Party. Ms McKenna gained over 4,000 votes from the previous election in 2015, beating her nearest rival by over 15,000 votes.


2019 Canadian federal election
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Expenditures
Liberal Catherine McKenna 38,391 48.66 +5.99 $113,154.09
New Democratic Emilie Taman 22,916 29.04 -9.50 $119,073.61
Conservative Carol Clemenhagen 9,920 12.57 -1.92 $63,743.89
Green Angela Keller-Herzog 5,837 7.40 +4.42 none listed
People's Merylee Sevilla 720 0.91 $2,536.21
Libertarian Coreen Corcoran 360 0.46 -0.27 $1,030.86
Animal Protection Shelby Bertrand 207 0.26 none listed
Christian Heritage Marie-Chantal Leriche 198 0.25 none listed
Independent Chris G. Jones 177 0.22 $3,526.62
Communist Stuart Ryan 111 0.14 -0.02 $496.90
Independent Giang Ha Thu Vo 65 0.08 none listed
Total valid votes/expense limit 78,902 99.39
Total rejected ballots 482 0.61 +0.10
Turnout 79,384 78.43 -1.57
Eligible voters 101,219
Liberal hold Swing +7.74
Source: Elections Canada[7][8]

2015 federal election[edit]

Ottawa Centre lost a sliver of territory to Ottawa West—Nepean, as its southwestern border moved from the former Ottawa City limits to Fisher Avenue and Baseline Road. The total population of this area lost (2011 Census) was 424.[9]

Ottawa Centre saw the highest turnout in the entire country in the 2015 election.

2015 Canadian federal election: Ottawa Centre
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Expenditures
Liberal Catherine McKenna 32,111 42.66 +22.54 $192,865.14
New Democratic Paul Dewar 29,098 38.54 -13.62 $196,692.80
Conservative Damian Konstantinakos 10,943 14.49 -7.14 $74,191.60
Green Tom Milroy 2,246 2.97 -2.06 $5,564.56
Libertarian Dean T. Harris 551 0.73
Rhinoceros Conrad Lukawski 167 0.22 $2.96
Marijuana John Andrew Omowole Akpata 160 0.21
Communist Stuart Ryan 124 0.16 -0.01
Total valid votes/Expense limit 75,500 99.49   $233,540.54
Total rejected ballots 386 0.51
Turnout 75,886 80.00
Eligible voters 94,858
Liberal gain from New Democratic Swing +18.08
Source: Elections Canada[10][11][12]
2011 federal election redistributed results[13]
Party Vote %
  New Democratic 33,737 52.16
  Conservative 13,992 21.63
  Liberal 13,014 20.12
  Green 3,256 5.03
  Others 685 1.06

2011 federal election[edit]

2011 Canadian federal election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
New Democratic Paul Dewar 33,805 52.11 +12.38
Conservative Damian Konstantinakos 14,063 21.68 -1.89
Liberal Scott Bradley 13,049 20.12 -5.91
Green Jen Hunter 3,262 5.03 -4.90
Marijuana John Andrew Akpata 326 0.50 -0.09
Independent Romeo Bellai 210 0.32
Communist Stuart Ryan 109 0.17
Marxist–Leninist Pierre Soublière 44 0.07 -0.08
Total valid votes/Expense limit 64,868 99.59
Total rejected ballots 267 0.41 -0.00
Turnout 65,135 72.37 +3.26
Eligible voters 90,008
New Democratic hold Swing +7.13

2008 federal election[edit]

2008 Canadian federal election
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Expenditures
New Democratic Paul Dewar 25,399 39.74 +2.81 $74,532
Liberal Penny Collenette 16,633 26.02 −3.18 $85,082
Conservative Brian McGarry 15,065 23.57 +0.87 $85,487
Green Jen Hunter 6,348 9.93 −0.22 $41,577
Marijuana John Akpata 378 0.59 +0.01 none listed
Marxist–Leninist Pierre Soublière 95 0.15 +0.05 none listed
Total valid votes/expenditure limit 63,918 100.00 $91,849
Total rejected ballots 266 0.41
Turnout 64,184 69.11
Electors on the lists 92,877
New Democratic hold Swing +3.0

2006 federal election[edit]

Broadbent announced in 2005 that he would not run for re-election so he could devote more time to care for his ailing wife, Lucille. Richard Mahoney was again the Liberal candidate, hoping that, without an opposing star candidate, such as Broadbent, he would be elected this time. The NDP nominated Paul Dewar, a teacher and son of former mayor Marion Dewar. As the Liberal national numbers declined over the course of the campaign, it seemed more likely that the NDP could retain the seat. Mahoney went on the offensive late in the campaign, claiming a vote for Paul Dewar would help the Conservatives. Dewar retained most of Broadbent's voters and won by over 5000 votes. The riding also gave the Green Party of Canada one of its best performances nationwide with over 6,500 votes, over 10%.

2006 Canadian federal election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
New Democratic Paul Dewar 24,611 36.93 -4.12
Liberal Richard Mahoney 19,458 29.20 -1.87
Conservative Keith Fountain 15,126 22.70 +3.67
Green David Chernushenko 6,766 10.15 +2.61
Marijuana John Akpata 386 0.58 -0.14
Independent Anwar Syed 121 0.18
Communist Stuart Ryan 102 0.15 +0.01
Marxist–Leninist Christian Legeais 68 0.10 -0.02
Total valid votes 66,638 100.00
  New Democratic Party hold Swing -1.1

2006 nomination contests

New Democratic Party
Candidate Residence June 22, 2005
Tiffani Murray Ottawa
Jamey Heath Ottawa
Paul Dewar Ottawa X
Shannon Lee Mannion Ottawa
Liberal Party of Canada
Candidate Residence May 17, 2005
Richard Mahoney Ottawa X
Conservative Party of Canada
Candidate Residence May 15, 2005
Keith A. Fountain Ottawa X
Guy Dufort Ottawa
Idris Ben-Tahir Ottawa

2004 federal election[edit]

A map showing the distribution of the NDP vote in the 2004 election. Ed Broadbent did best in Old Ottawa South and the western part of Centretown

The 2004 election was an unusual campaign in Ottawa Centre. The seat was vacated in September 2003 when Liberal incumbent Mac Harb received his patronage appointment to the Senate of Canada from outgoing Prime Minister Jean Chrétien.[14] Paul Martin loyalist Richard Mahoney won the Liberal nomination and expected to win the riding.

Former NDP leader and widely respected statesman Ed Broadbent came out of political retirement to win the NDP nomination in January. As the seat was vacant, a by-election was expected to fill the seat and campaigning began in early 2004. However, Prime Minister Paul Martin delayed calling the by-election, in the expectation that a general election would soon be called.

In May 2004, a federal election was called, pre-empting the by-election. Broadbent was increasingly favoured to win, a mid-campaign poll showed him ahead. In addition to Broadbent's personal popularity, the NDP under new leader Jack Layton had greatly increased its popularity, especially in urban Ontario. The campaign was still hard-fought. In the end, Broadbent won a strong victory, and subsequently announced his retirement the following year, in April 2005.


2004 Canadian federal election
Party Candidate Votes % Expenditures
New Democratic Ed Broadbent 25,734 41.05 $75,600.35
Liberal Richard Mahoney 19,478 31.07 $77,325.72
Conservative Mike Murphy 11,933 19.03 $37,895.42
Green David Chernushenko 4,730 7.54 $24,313.40
Marijuana Michael Foster 455 0.72
Independent Robert Gauthier 121 0.19
Communist Stuart Ryan 90 0.14 $379.63
Canadian Action Carla Marie Dancey 76 0.12
Marxist–Leninist Louis Lang 67 0.10
Total valid votes 62,684 100.00
Total rejected ballots 270
Turnout 62,954 70.35

2004 nomination contests

New Democratic Party
Candidate Residence January 20, 2004
Ed Broadbent Ottawa X
Paul Dewar Ottawa
Conservative Party of Canada
Candidate Residence March 29, 2004
Mark P. Donnelly Ottawa
Michael J. Murphy Ottawa X

Previous elections[edit]

2000 Canadian federal election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Mac Harb 22,710 40.00 -5.19
New Democratic Heather-Jane Robertson 13,516 23.81 +0.08
Alliance David Brown 10,167 17.91 +6.34
Progressive Conservative Beverly Mitchell 7,505 13.22 -3.11
Green Chris Bradshaw 1,531 2.70 +1.21
Marijuana Brad Powers 813 1.43
Canadian Action Carla Marie Dancey 210 0.37 -0.04
Communist Marvin Glass 139 0.24
Natural Law Neil Paterson 111 0.20
Marxist–Leninist Mistahi Corkill 66 0.12 -0.14
Total valid votes 56,768 100.00

Note: Canadian Alliance vote is compared to the Reform vote in 1997 election.

1997 Canadian federal election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Mac Harb 25,987 45.19 -6.71
New Democratic Jamey Heath 13,646 23.73 +1.07
Progressive Conservative Peter Annis 9,391 16.33 +4.45
Reform John Perocchio 6,651 11.57 +2.03
Green Frank de Jong 855 1.49 +0.30
Canadian Action Howard Bertram 236 0.41
Natural Law Neil Paterson 211 0.37 -0.34
Independent Susan Cumby 190 0.33
Marxist–Leninist Hardial Bains 150 0.26 +0.07
Independent Malek Khouri 92 0.16
Independent Ray Joseph Cormier 91 0.16
Total valid votes 57,500 100.00


1993 Canadian federal election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Mac Harb 23,816 51.90 +15.44
New Democratic Marion Dewar 10,398 22.66 -12.26
Progressive Conservative Ian R. Lee 5,453 11.88 -14.60
Reform Len Tucker 4,380 9.54
National John Foster 740 1.61
Green Frank Thompson 546 1.19 +0.59
Natural Law Neil Paterson 328 0.71
Marxist–Leninist Hardial Bains 86 0.19 +0.06
Independent Clayoquot Keith Ashdown 71 0.15
Abolitionist Pauline G. Morrissette 36 0.08
Commonwealth of Canada Marie-Thérèse Costisella 34 0.07 +0.01
Independent Vic Wilczur 0 0
Total valid votes 45,888 100.00


1988 Canadian federal election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Mac Harb 18,096 36.46 +6.84
New Democratic Mike Cassidy 17,334 34.92 +0.55
Progressive Conservative Bob Plamondon 13,142 26.48 −7.78
Green John W. Dodson 300 0.60 +0.05
Rhinoceros Leapin Liz Johnson 292 0.59 −0.15
Independent John Turmel 152 0.31  
Independent Michael K.B. Hahn 115 0.23  
Libertarian Rudolph Shally 111 0.22  
Independent Hardial Bains 66 0.13  
Commonwealth of Canada Istvan Kovach 30 0.06  
Total valid votes 49,638 100.00
Source(s)
"History of Federal Ridings — General Elections — OTTAWA CENTRE, Ontario (1966- )". Parliament of Canada. Retrieved 28 May 2014.
1984 Canadian federal election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
New Democratic Mike Cassidy 17,844 34.37 +18.41
Progressive Conservative Dan Chilcott 17,790 34.26 −2.15
Liberal John Evans 15,380 29.62 −16.28
Rhinoceros Barry J. Heidt 382 0.74 −0.02
Green Gordon Scott McLeod 285 0.55  
Communist Marvin Glass 93 0.18 −0.07
Independent Ray Joseph Cormier 71 0.14  
Independent Rodger L. James 45 0.09  
Independent Marc Gauvin 29 0.06  
Total valid votes 51,919 100.00  
1980 Canadian federal election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal John Evans 21,659 45.90 +5.87
Progressive Conservative Jean Pigott 17,181 36.41 -1.53
New Democratic John Smart 7,529 15.96 -4.73
Rhinoceros David Langille 358 0.76
National Robin Mathews 170 0.36 -0.25
Communist Marvin Glass 116 0.25 -0.09
Independent John Turmel 62 0.13
Marxist–Leninist Robin Collins 44 0.09
Independent Iqbal Ben-Tahir 36 0.08
Independent Ernest Bouchard 32 0.07
Total valid votes 47,187 100.00
1979 Canadian federal election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal John Evans 19,758 40.03 +12.53
Progressive Conservative Robert de Cotret 18,728 37.94 -6.52
New Democratic John Smart 10,213 20.69 -6.81
Independent Robin Mathews 302 0.61
Independent Michael John Charette 191 0.39
Communist Marvin Glass 166 0.34
Total valid votes 27,163 100.00
By-election on October 16, 1978
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Progressive Conservative Robert de Cotret 12,078 44.46 +10.10
New Democratic Steven W. Langdon 7,470 27.50 +8.42
Liberal Bryce Mackasey 7,361 27.10 -16.23
Independent Michael John Houlton 254 0.94
Total valid votes 27,163 100.00
1974 Canadian federal election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Hugh Poulin 15,308 43.33 +4.81
Progressive Conservative Hugh Segal 12,138 34.36 -0.87
New Democratic Irving Greenberg 6,739 19.08 -6.04
Independent Bela Egyed 877 2.48
Social Credit John Graham 139 0.39 -0.26
Independent Ray Quann 63 0.18
Marxist–Leninist Phil Sarazen 62 0.18
Total valid votes 35,326 100.00
1972 Canadian federal election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Hugh Poulin 14,101 38.52 -19.22
Progressive Conservative Hugh Segal 12,899 35.23 +1.01
New Democratic Irving Greenberg 9,195 25.12 +17.07
Social Credit Rocco Zavarella 237 0.65
Independent Paul Herman 177 0.48
Total valid votes 36,609 100.00
1968 Canadian federal election
Party Candidate Votes %
Liberal George McIlraith 19,578 57.74
Progressive Conservative Murray A. Heit 11,602 34.22
New Democratic June B. Ralph 2,729 8.05
Total valid votes 33,909 100.00

See also[edit]

References[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ Statistics Canada: 2011
  2. ^ Statistics Canada: 2011
  3. ^ Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (9 February 2022). "Profile table, Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population - Ottawa Centre [Federal electoral district (2013 Representation Order)], Ontario". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 8 March 2023.
  4. ^ "2006 Census of Canada: Topic-based tabulations | Highest Certificate, Diploma or Degree (14), Location of Study (5), Major Field of Study - Classification of Instructional Programs, 2000 (14), Age Groups (10A) and Sex (3) for the Population 15 Years and Over of Canada, Provinces, Territories and Federal Electoral Districts (2003 Representation Order), 2006 Census - 20% Sample Data". 2.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 16 November 2012.
  5. ^ Porter, Kate. "Ottawa voter turnout tops country in federal election". CBC.
  6. ^ "List of confirmed candidates – September 20, 2021 Federal Election". Elections Canada. Retrieved 2 September 2021.
  7. ^ "List of confirmed candidates". Elections Canada. Retrieved 3 October 2019.
  8. ^ "Official Voting Results". Elections Canada. Retrieved 9 August 2021.
  9. ^ Population calculated by combining Census Blocks 3506183106, 3506183109, 3506183506, 3506053506, 3506053303, 3506053308, 3506053106, 3506053105, 3506053107
  10. ^ Elections Canada – Confirmed candidates for Ottawa Centre, 30 September 2015
  11. ^ "Elections Canada – Preliminary Election Expenses Limits for Candidates". Archived from the original on 15 August 2015. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
  12. ^ "Résultats du soir d'élection - Circonscriptions".
  13. ^ Pundits' Guide to Canadian Elections
  14. ^ "Chretien appoints MP, 2 others, to Senate seats". Archived from the original on 14 March 2007.

External links[edit]

Sources[edit]

Electoral district associations[edit]