Cumberland South

Candidates

Current MLA: Murray Scott (PC), Minister of Economic and Rural Development

District profile: The largely rural district includes the southern part of Cumberland County as well as the towns of Oxford, Springhill and Parrsboro. It's also home to the only toll highway in the province.

The major employers are the hospitals and school boards along with some manufacturers.

The area is also building a reputation as a tourism destination thanks to the Anne Murray Centre and the Joggins Fossil Cliffs, which has been designated as a UNESCO world heritage site.

District map: Cumberland South (PDF)

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2006 results

Voter turnout: 64.25 per cent in 2006

Political history

Cumberland South was created in 1993 from all of Cumberland Centre and nearly all of Cumberland West.

In this area, personal popularity tends to overshadow party loyalty.

Cumberland Centre was Liberal territory for almost two decades, held by Liberal Guy Brown from 1974 until 1993. Brown went on to win in the new riding of Cumberland South in its first year.

Cumberland West, on the other hand, was held by the PCs for 20 years until a Liberal won in 1988.

For the past decade, Progressive Conservative Murray Scott has held the seat, winning by large margins.