Summary: Conservative MP Kellie Leitch easily won this seat in 2011, and quickly rose through the ranks to be appointed to cabinet in 2013 as Minister of Labour and Minister of Status of Women. She is seeking re-election.
Boundaries: This riding is geographically smaller for 2015, with the township of Springwater moving into the new riding of Barrie—Springwater—Oro-Medonte. It still includes The Blue Mountains, Collingwood, New Tecumseth, Wasaga Beach, Adjala-Tosorontio, Clearview and Essa.
Last Election: Conservative Leitch earned 49.4 per cent of the vote, defeating NDP Kay Austin who earned just 17.4 per cent. If these new boundaries were in effect in 2011, the Conservatives would have taken 48.4 per cent of the vote, followed by the NDP with 17.4 per cent.
History: This riding was created in 1997, and first elected Liberal Paul Bonwick for two terms. He was defeated by Conservative Helena Guergis in 2004 by just 100 votes, but the Conservatives have won by significant margins here ever since.
Candidates
Conservative: Kellie Leitch, MP, Minister of Labour and Status of Women
NDP: David Matthews, retired pipefitter
Liberal: Mike MacEachern, former mayor of New Tecumseth
Green: JoAnne Fleming
Christian Heritage: Len Noordegraaf