Unless you’ve been living in a box, I’m going to assume that you know about the federal election.  I understand not everyone’s into politics, but you can’t turn on the TV or go on the internet without seeing campaigns for Harper, Ignatieff, or Layton.

But what about your own riding? Here’s a quick Vancouver cheat sheet so you get the facts you need before you cast the ballot on Monday.  And you should cast the ballot.  In the immortal words of P.Diddy: VOTE OR DIE!

Vancouver Centre

This riding encompasses almost all of downtown plus some neighbourhoods off the peninsula that are bordered by bridges.  Lots of businesses, a higher average income, and high rates of post-secondary degrees are some of the traits of this riding.

It’s currently held by Hedy Fry (Liberal). Fry has held Vancouver Centre since 1993, after she replaced former Prime Minister Kim Campbell.

Other candidates:

Jennifer Clarke (Conservative)
Karen Shillington (NDP)
Adriane Carr (Green)

Vancouver East

A historically NDP stronghold, this riding encompasses Vancouver’s downtown eastside and the parts of East Van that hipsters like to inhabit (yours truly included).  It’s a primarily working class neighbourhood (why hipsters like it). Only two non NDP/NDP predecessor candidates have won Vancouver East since it was created in 1933 (both Liberals).

Vancouver East has been held by  Libby Davies (NDP) since 1997.

Other candidates:

Roma Ahi (Liberal)
Irene Yatco (Conservative)
Douglas Roy (Green)

Vancouver Kingsway

This riding is one of the most hotly contested of this election. Vancouver Kingsway historically swings between the Liberals and NDP.  However 2008 proved to be a tight race between the three biggest parties, with the NDP coming out on top by only 3,000 votes.  Vancouver Kingsway encompasses neighbourhoods mostly in central east Vancouver.  

Don Davies (NDP) won the seat in 2008 after predecessor David Emerson controversially switched to the Conservative party only two weeks after being elected as a Liberal.

Other candidates: 

Wendy Yuan (Liberal)
Trang Nguyen  (Conservative)
Louise Boutin (Green)

Vancouver Quadra

East Van may be an NDP stronghold, but Vancouver’s Westside is strictly Liberal.  The Liberals have held this riding since 1984, possibly before some of you were born.  Vancouver Quadra has an average family income of over $145,000, making it the sixth wealthiest riding in Canada.

Joyce Murray  (Liberal) has held the riding since 2008. 

Other candidates:

Deborah Meredith (Conservative)
Laura-Leah Shaw  (Green)
Victor Elkins (NDP)

Vancouver South

As the name would suggest, this riding stretches from 41st down to the southern limits of Vancouver.  It has a fairly long history of Liberal victories, with quite a few from the former Progressive-Conservative party.  Vancouver South has the largest immigrant population of the Vancouver ridings, with the majority of residents working in the hospitality industry.

Former premier  Ujjal Dosanjh (Liberal) has held the seat since 2004. However, Dosanjh won by only 22 votes in the last federal election.

Other candidates:

Wai Young (Conservative)
Meena Wong (NDP)
Jean de Dieu Hakizimana (Green)

~ Meghan Roberts