Canadians will be heading to the polls soon. The federal election will be held on Monday, Oct. 21. Before long, we will all know who will guide the country for the next four years. This week, we look at the election and the Moose Jaw – Lake Centre – Lanigan riding.
Looking Back
Tom Lukiwski of the Conservatives is the incumbent for Moose Jaw – Lake Centre – Lanigan. In the last election, Lukiwski won with 55.46 per cent of the vote. Dustan Hlady of the NDP came in second with 23.78 per cent, Perry Juttla of the Liberals came in third with 17.98 per cent of the vote, Shawn Setyo of the Green Party finished in fourth with 2.29 per cent of the vote, while Robert Thomas of the Rhinoceros Party came in fifth with 0.5 per cent.
Nationally, Justin Trudeau's Liberals gained 39.5 per cent of the vote and 184 seats, while the Conservatives finished in second place with 31.9 per cent and 99 seats. The NDP came in third with 19.7 per cent and 44 seats, the Bloc Quebecois fourth with 4.7 per cent and 10 seats, and the Greens came in fifth with 3.4 per cent and one seat.
Before Moose Jaw became part of the new Moose Jaw – Lake Centre – Lanigan riding, it was known as Palliser. Palliser has voted Conservative since 2004. During that time, the riding was represented by Dave Batters from 2004-08 and Ray Boughen from 2008-15.
Prior to this date, Moose Jaw was represented by the NDP's Dick Proctor, who was elected in 1997 and 2000.
Demographics
As per the 2016 census, Moose Jaw – Lake Centre – Lanigan is home to 79,733 people. The population increased by 4.8 per cent from 2011.
The average age of residents is 41.8, compared to the national average of 41.06. The median age is 42.5 while nationally it is 41.7. About 63.5 per cent of the population is comprised of 15 to 64 year olds. Seniors (65 and older) account for 18.4 per cent.
The median total income of households in Moose Jaw – Lake Centre – Lanigan was $75,320 in 2015. That is just above the national average of $73,050.
Less than half (48.04 per cent) of the riding’s residents who are 15 or older have postsecondary credentials, while 32.14 per cent have only a high school diploma or equivalent.
Local Candidates
This year there are five candidates in the Moose Jaw – Lake Centre – Lanigan riding.
- Chey Craik, People’s Party of Canada
- Tom Lukiwski, Conservative Party of Canada
- Cecilia Melanson, Liberal Party of Canada
- Talon Regent, NDP
- Gillian Walker, Green Party of Canada
Don’t forget — you can hear the candidates speak and can have the opportunity to ask them questions during the election forum, hosted by the Moose Jaw & District Chamber of Commerce. The forum will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 15 at the Cosmo Centre.
The Issues That Matter
According to the non-profit Angus Reid Institute, respondents in a survey identified a number of key issues in this election. When asked to choose the top issues, respondents selected, in order of importance:
- climate change
- improving health care access
- taxation
- access to affordable housing
- transparency and honesty in the federal government
- local job opportunities
- natural resources and energy policy
- management of the federal deficit
- improving living conditions for Canada's First Nations
- protecting the rights of LGBTQ2 Canadians
- upholding the rights of religious groups in Canada
- Canada's role on the international stage
How to Vote
Anyone who is a Canadian citizen and is 18 years of age on or before Oct. 21 is eligible to vote. You must bring two pieces of identification with you, which includes one item with your address on it, such as a utility bill. You should have received your voter information card in the mail. Regardless, you can search for your polling station online.
Advance polls are open every day from now until Oct. 14 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. each day. More information is available online.
If you are still undecided before heading to the polls, don’t forget to use online tools like Vote Compass or I Side With to get a better understanding of which party leaders share your concerns.
Don’t forget to head to the polls and have your voice heard on Oct. 21!
