RIDING GUIDE: What you need to know about Chatham-Kent—Leamington

Chatham-Kent—Leamington has a population of 109,619 and is home to 85,963 registered voters.

The riding consists of the town of Leamington, Pelee Island, part of Lakeshore, the southern half of Chatham-Kent (including the former City of Chatham) and Eelūnaapèewii Lahkèewiit (Delaware Nation at Moraviantown).

Dominated by both traditional and greenhouse agriculture, the riding is home to food processor Highbury Canco, the world's largest freshwater fishery in Wheatley and Point Pelee National Park. It is also home to a border crossing on Pelee Island due to the ferry connection with Sandusky, Ohio.

CBC Windsor reporter Jonathan Pinto moderated a Chatham-Kent—Leamington candidate's debate on Sept. 25. Tap the player to watch.

• CBC election debates: Windsor-Essex, Chatham-Kent, Sarnia-Lambton

Age, Income and Diversity

According to Statistics Canada's 2016 census, the population of Chatham-Kent—Leamington is older (42.9) than the Canadian average (41), and household income ($75,137) is lower than the Canadian average ($92,764).

3.1 per cent of the population identifies as Indigenous, compared to 4.9 per cent nationally.

6.6 per cent of the riding's population identifies as a visible minority, compared to 22 per cent of the Canadian population as a whole. The four largest visible minority groups in Chatham-Kent—Leamington are Black, Latin American, Southeast Asian and Arab.

2019 Candidates

There are currently 5 candidates running in Chatham-Kent—Leamington. The deadline for candidates to submit their nomination papers to Elections Canada is September 30.

Here they are, in alphabetical order by last name:

BALAGTAS, John
People's Party of Canada

Awaiting candidate response.

COULBECK, Paul
Marijuana Party

Occupation: Minister, Community Organizer

What is the most important local issue in Chatham-Kent—Leamington the federal government should solve?
We should be promoting this new cannabis industry with grants for infrastructure improvement, education programs, business expansions, and very decent accommodations for migrant workers (also including Canadians).

EPP, Dave
Conservative Party of Canada

Occupation: President, Lycoland Farms Ltd.

What is the most important local issue in Chatham-Kent—Leamington the federal government should solve?
Affordability and lowering the cost of living is our top priority. We need to stop the federal government's reckless spending and offer tax cuts for working and middle-class Canadians. It is time for members of our community to start getting ahead, instead of just getting by.

OMSTEAD, Katie
Liberal Party of Canada

Occupation: Educator/Teacher

What is the most important local issue in Chatham-Kent—Leamington the federal government should solve?
The cost of living will be my primary focus if elected. It impacts families and small businesses across our riding. As your MP I will fight tirelessly to ensure our government focuses on making sure more money stays in the pockets of the hard working families in our community. 

VERCOUTEREN, Mark
Green Party of Canada

Occupation: Customer Service Rep, Concentrix

What is the most important local issue in Chatham-Kent—Leamington the federal government should solve?
The Climate Emergency which will only get worse. It is not too late.  We need to build infrastructure, and an economy to adapt to the new environment that is facing us today. Now is the time to act to help farmers, homeowners, and build a local sustainable economy.

WALSH, Tony
New Democratic Party of Canada

Occupation: Investment Consultant, CIBC Chatham-Kent

What is the most important local issue in Chatham-Kent—Leamington the federal government should solve?
In Chatham-Kent-Leamington we want the government to help make life more affordable for us while tackling the challenges of climate change. This includes investments in clean energy projects; medicine for all; and affordable, expanded coverage cell phone and high speed internet.

Voting History

The riding of Chatham-Kent—Leamington was created in 2013 by adding a portion of Lakeshore and Pelee Island into the riding of Chatham-Kent—Essex.

Here are the results of the riding's first election in 2015, plus the results of Chatham-Kent—Essex dating back to 2000. Only the top five candidates are displayed, ordered by percentage of votes received.

2015 General Election

1. Conservative — Dave Van Kesteren — 41.7%
2. Liberal — Katie Omstead — 37.2
3. NDP — Tony Walsh — 18.4
4. Green — Mark Vercouteren — 2.7

2011 General Election (Chatham-Kent—Essex)

1. Conservative — Dave Van Kesteren — 53.8%
2. NDP — Ron Franko — 26.3
3. Liberal — Matt Daudlin — 16.5
4. Green — Robert Hodgson — 3.4

2008 General Election (Chatham-Kent—Essex)

1. Conservative — Dave Van Kesteren — 47.9%
2. Liberal — Matt Daudlin — 29.1
3. NDP — Ron Cadotte — 16.4
4. Green — Alina Abbott — 6.5

2006 General Election (Chatham-Kent—Essex)

1. Conservative — Dave Van Kesteren — 42.8%
2. Liberal — Jim Comiskey — 31.3
3. NDP — Kathleen Kevany — 22.4
4. Green — Ken Bell — 3.6

2004 General Election (Chatham-Kent—Essex)

1. Liberal — Jerry Pickard — 39.6%
2. Conservative — Dave Van Kesteren — 38.7
3. NDP — Kathleen Kevany — 17.1
4. Green — Rod Hetherington — 4.2
5. Marxist-Leninist — Margaret Mondaca — 0.3

2000 General Election (Chatham-Kent—Essex)

1. Liberal — Jerry Pickard — 49.7%
2. Canadian Alliance — Sean Smart — 32.1
3. Progressive Conservative — Ryan Bailey — 10.3
4. NDP — Susan MacKay — 5.5
5. Green — Bobby Clarke — 1.8

Riding Boundaries

Chatham-Kent—Leamington consists of the Municipality of Leamington, Pelee Island, part of Lakeshore, the southern half of Chatham-Kent (including the former City of Chatham) and Eelūnaapèewii Lahkèewiit (Delaware Nation at Moraviantown).

Click here for the legal description and full map from Elections Canada.

• CBC POLL TRACKER

• CBC VOTE COMPASS