Cape Breton Nova

Candidates

Current MLA: Gordie Gosse (NDP)

District profile: This is another urban riding in Cape Breton, taking in a portion of the city of Sydney – namely the Ashby area – as well as the large community of Whitney Pier and Cape Breton University. This is generally a working-class district.

The main employers are the regional municipality and several call centres. Most people work in the service sector.

District map: Cape Breton Nova (PDF)

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2006 results

Voter turnout: 69.26 per cent in 2006

Political history

Beginning in 1970, Paul MacEwan represented this riding for more than three decades. He proved unbeatable, no matter which party he represented – including the NDP, his own Cape Breton Labour Party and, finally, the Liberals.

After MacEwan retired, Cape Breton Nova was considered a swing riding. In 2003, New Democrat Gordie Gosse was elected, but just barely.

The next election, three years later, was nowhere near as close, as Gosse cemented his grip on the riding by taking almost 61 per cent of the vote.