Calgary - Nose Hill

This largely suburban riding is in Calgary's northwest end. It is bounded by 144th Avenue Northwest in the north, by Centre Street North, Harvest Hills Boulevard North and Beddington Trail Northwest in the east and by Berkshire Boulevard Northwest, 14th Street Northwest, John Laurie Boulevard Northwest and Shaganappi Trail Northwest in the south. Crowchild Trail Northwest, 112th Avenue Northwest and Rocky Ridge Road Northwest form the western boundary.

More than 31 per cent of people are immigrants and almost 14 per cent list Chinese as their first language. Almost 37 per cent of residents over age 25 have a university certificate or degree.

Industry in the riding is mainly small businesses. The service sector is an important source of employment, with professional, scientific and technical services accounting for 13 per cent of the total jobs. Mining and the oil and gas industry account for 7.5 per cent of the total.

The 2006 census shows an average family income of $119,671 and an unemployment rate of 4.1 per cent.

The riding of Calgary North was established in 1952. The riding of Calgary-Nose Hill was established in the 1996 redistribution. In 2004, Calgary-Nose Hill lost about 30 per cent of its population, while gaining about 2,300 residents from Calgary Northeast.

Population: 130,942 (2006 census; an increase of 30.9% since 2001)

Political History

Diane Ablonczy has won the past five elections with the Reform, Canadian Alliance and Conservative parties. In her 2004 victory, she defeated Liberal Ted Haney by more than 21,000 votes. She took on Haney again in the 2006 election, winning by 28,372 votes.

Prior to Ablonczy, Tories had dominated for 40 years. For nearly half that time, the seat was held by Doug Harkness, who served as John Diefenbaker's defence minister. Eldon Woolliams took over from Harkness in 1968 and was MP until 1980. Tories Bill Wright, Paul Gagnon and Al Johnson each served single terms after that.

Calgary North:

• 1953-88 inclusive - PC
• 1993 - REF

Calgary-Nose Hill:

• 1997 - REF
• 2000 - CA
• 2004, 2006 - CON