Summary: One of New Brunswick’s three urban ridings, Fredericton is considered a riding to watch this election. Conservative MP and former cabinet minister Keith Ashfield was first elected here in 2008 and is seeking a third term in Ottawa.
Boundaries: This riding includes New Brunswick’s capital city, as well as rural areas to the north and east. It is geographically smaller than it was in 2011, with Minto and Chipman moving into the Miramichi-Grand Lake riding. Rusagonis and Nashwaaksis have also moved into other ridings.
Last Election: Conservative MP Keith Ashfield was re-elected with a 24.5 per cent margin of victory over NDP candidate Jesse Travis.
History: Liberal MP Andy Scott held this seat from 1993 until his retirement from politics in 2008, after which Ashfield took this seat for the Conservatives. In many ways his victory was a return to form for the riding—Fredericton was a Progressive Conservative seat from 1957 to 1993.
Demographics: The median age of 37.8 is the lowest in New Brunswick and third lowest in Atlantic Canada.
Candidates
Conservative: Keith Ashfield, MP since 2008 and former Minister of Fisheries
NDP: Sharon Scott-Levesque, registered nurse
Liberal: Matt DeCourcey, Director of Communication, NB Child and Youth Advocate office
Green: Mary Lou Babineau, Associate Professor, St. Thomas University
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