Russell (Manitoba provincial electoral district)

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for other electoral districts with similar names, see Russell (electoral district).

Russell is a provincial electoral division in the Canadian province of Manitoba. It is located in the southwestern section of the province.

[edit] Historical Riding

The original Russell riding was created in 1886, shortly after the expansion of Manitoba's western boundaries. It existed until 1957, when it was combined with the riding of Birtle as Birtle-Russell. The riding was primarily agrarian, and elected candidates from various parties who supported agrarian interests.

[edit] List of provincial representatives

[edit] Modern Riding

The riding of Birtle-Russell lasted from 1957 to 1979, and the subsequent riding of Roblin-Russell from 1979 to 1999. In 1999, the Roblin section of the riding was joined with Dauphin as Dauphin—Roblin, and a separate Russell riding was re-established.

The modern riding is bordered to the north by Dauphin—Roblin, to the east by Ste. Rose, to the south by Minnedosa and Arthur-Virden, and to the west by the province of Saskatchewan. The town of Russell is the main urban centre in this riding, which also includes Birtle, Inglis, Angusville, Rossburn, Erickson, Oakburn, Shoal Lake and Hamiota. The Riding Mountain National Park and Asessippi Provincial Park are also located in Russell.

The riding's population in 1996 was 18,647. As of 1999, the average family income was $39,999, and the unemployment rate was 6.10%. Russell remains primarily an agrarian riding, with agriculture accounting for 32% of its industry.

Fourteen per cent of the riding's residents are aboriginal, and a further 13% are Ukrainian. The riding also has the second-highest percentage of senior citizens in Manitoba, at 21% of the total.

The current MLA is Len Derkach of the Progressive Conservative Party, who previously held the riding of Roblin-Russell from 1986 to 1999. The New Democratic Party have made serious inroads in recent years, however, and the seat may be regarded as marginal.

[edit] List of provincial representatives