Gimli

A sliver of the province that runs along the western shore of Lake Winnipeg, Gimli includes many tourism-based communities and beach-front towns including its namesake Gimli, Winnipeg Beach and Hecla Island.

Manufacturing and retail are among its chief economic drivers, but tourism and fisheries are not insignificant.

It is one of the wealthiest ridings outside the city of Winnipeg and has the second-lowest after-tax poverty rate in the entire province.

It is also the second oldest riding in the province.

Almost 100 per cent of the residents say they speak English at home (only residents in neighbouring Selkirk had a higher percentage).

 

Stats

Population: 20,210

median age: 45.7

Immigrants: 7.4 per cent

Aboriginal population: 10.4 per cent

Living in poverty: 5.7 per cent

Median income: $27,134

 

Politics

Gimli is considered one of Manitoba’s only true bellwether ridings as it has elected an MLA on the government side in every election but five in more than 100 years.

The NDP have claimed it since 2003 with Peter Bjornson.

It is definitely a riding to watch in 2011.

 

2007 results

Peter Bjornson, NDP 5,946

Chris Bourgeois, PC 3,450

Lynn Greenberg, LIB 727

Turnout: 62.92 per cent