# Labrador West (electoral district)

Labrador West is a provincial electoral district for the House of Assembly of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. From 1975 to 1996, the district was known as Menihek.
Known as the iron ore capital of Canada with two modern mining communities, Labrador City and Wabush, the district has a strong base of labour support. This district was the first in Newfoundland and Labrador to send a New Democratic member to the House of Assembly, electing party leader Peter Fenwick in a 1984 by-election. The NDP regained the seat in 2019 election, beating the Liberals by a mere two votes and holding the riding in the 2021 general election by a twenty one point margin.

## Members of the House of Assembly

The district has elected the following members of the House of Assembly:
| Assembly | Years | Member | Party |
| Labrador West |||||
| 33rd | 1962-1966 | Charles Devine | Independent |
| 34th | 1966-1969 | Thomas W. Burgess | Liberal |
| 34th | 1969-1971 | Thomas W. Burgess | Labrador Party |
| 35th | 1972 | Thomas W. Burgess | Labrador Party |
| 35th | 1972 | Thomas W. Burgess | Liberal |
| 36th | 1972-1975 | Joseph G. Rousseau | Progressive Conservative |
| Menihek |||||
| 37th | 1975-1979 | Joseph G. Rousseau | Progressive Conservative |
| 38th | 1979-1982 | Peter J. Walsh | Progressive Conservative |
| 39th | 1982-1984 | Peter J. Walsh | Progressive Conservative |
| 39th | 1984-1985 | Peter Fenwick | New Democratic |
| 40th | 1985-1989 | Peter Fenwick | New Democratic |
| 41st | 1989-1993 | Alec Snow | Progressive Conservative |
| 42nd | 1993-1996 | Alec Snow | Progressive Conservative |
| Labrador West |||||
| 43rd | 1996-1999 | Perry Canning | Liberal |
| 44th | 1999-2003 | Randy Collins | New Democratic |
| 45th | 2003-2007 | Randy Collins | New Democratic |
| 45th | 2007 | Jim Baker | Progressive Conservative |
| 46th | 2007-2011 | Jim Baker | Progressive Conservative |
| 47th | 2011-2015 | Nick McGrath | Progressive Conservative |
| 48th | 2015-2019 | Graham Letto | Liberal |
| 49th | 2019–2021 | Jordan Brown | New Democratic |
| 50th | 2021–Present | Jordan Brown | New Democratic |

## Election results

vte2021 Newfoundland and Labrador general election :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | New Democratic | Jordan Brown | 1,359 | 50.04 | +7.87 |
| | Liberal | Wayne Button | 780 | 28.72 | -13.38 |
| | Progressive Conservative | Nick McGrath | 577 | 21.24 | +5.51 |
| Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | 2,716 |
| Total rejected ballots | Total rejected ballots | Total rejected ballots | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | |
| Eligible voters | Eligible voters | Eligible voters | |
| | New Democratic hold | New Democratic hold | Swing | Swing | +10.63 |
| Source(s) "Officially Nominated Candidates General Election 2021" (PDF). Elections Newfoundland and Labrador. Retrieved 3 March 2021. "NL Election 2021 (Unofficial Results)". Retrieved 27 March 2021. |||||||
2019 Newfoundland and Labrador general election :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | New Democratic | Jordan Brown | 1,364 | 42.16 | +7.43 |
| | Liberal | Graham Letto | 1,362 | 42.10 | -1.70 |
| | Progressive Conservative | Derick Sharron | 509 | 15.73 | -5.73 |
| Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | 3,235 | 99.20 |
| Total rejected ballots | Total rejected ballots | Total rejected ballots | 26 | 0.80 | +0.38 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 3,261 | 54.21 | +0.51 |
| Eligible voters | Eligible voters | Eligible voters | 6,015 |
| | New Democratic gain from Liberal | New Democratic gain from Liberal | Swing | Swing | +4.57 |
| These results were subject to a recount, where Brown's lead was reduced from four votes to two. |||||||
2015 Newfoundland and Labrador general election :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Graham Letto | 1,453 | 43.81 | +27.42 |
| | New Democratic | Ron Barron | 1,152 | 34.73 | +2.06 |
| | Progressive Conservative | Nick McGrath | 712 | 21.46 | -29.48 |
| Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | 3,317 | 99.58 | – |
| Total rejected ballots | Total rejected ballots | Total rejected ballots | 14 | 0.42 | – |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 3,331 | 53.71 | -3.33 |
| Eligible voters | Eligible voters | Eligible voters | 6,202 |
| | Liberal gain from Progressive Conservative | Liberal gain from Progressive Conservative | Swing | Swing | +14.74 |
| Source: Elections Newfoundland and Labrador |||||||
2011 Newfoundland and Labrador general election :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Progressive Conservative | Nick McGrath | 1,843 | 50.94 | +0.14 |
| | New Democratic | Tom Harris | 1,182 | 32.67 | -9.92 |
| | Liberal | Karen Oldford | 593 | 16.39 | +9.78 |
| Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | 3,618 | 99.72 | – |
| Total rejected ballots | Total rejected ballots | Total rejected ballots | 10 | 0.28 | – |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 3,628 | 57.04 | -11.33 |
| Eligible voters | Eligible voters | Eligible voters | 6,360 |
| | Progressive Conservative hold | Progressive Conservative hold | Swing | Swing | +5.03 |
| Source: Elections Newfoundland and Labrador |||||||
2007 Newfoundland and Labrador general election :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Progressive Conservative | Jim Baker | 2,204 | 50.80 | +9.18 |
| | New Democratic | Darrel J. Brenton | 1,848 | 42.59 | +11.62 |
| | Liberal | Karen Oldford | 287 | 6.61 | -4.06 |
| Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | 4,339 | 99.79 | – |
| Total rejected ballots | Total rejected ballots | Total rejected ballots | 9 | 0.21 | – |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 4,348 | 68.37 | +18.28 |
| Eligible voters | Eligible voters | Eligible voters | 6,360 |
| | Progressive Conservative hold | Progressive Conservative hold | Swing | Swing | +10.40 |
| Source: Elections Newfoundland and Labrador |||||||
Newfoundland and Labrador provincial by-election, March 13, 2007 upon the resignation of Randy Collins :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Progressive Conservative | Jim Baker | 1,666 | 41.62 | +18.59 |
| | New Democratic | Darrel J. Brenton | 1,240 | 30.97 | -24.74 |
| | Labrador | Ron Barron | 670 | 16.74 | +4.01 |
| | Liberal | Karen Oldford | 427 | 10.67 | +2.14 |
| Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | 4,003 | 99.80 | – |
| Total rejected ballots | Total rejected ballots | Total rejected ballots | 8 | 0.20 | – |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 4,011 | 50.09 | -10.90 |
| Eligible voters | Eligible voters | Eligible voters | 8,008 |
| | Progressive Conservative gain from New Democratic | Progressive Conservative gain from New Democratic | Swing | Swing | +21.67 |
| Source: Elections Newfoundland and Labrador |||||||
2003 Newfoundland and Labrador general election :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | New Democratic | Randy Collins | 2,762 | 55.71 | +7.87 |
| | Progressive Conservative | Graham Letto | 1,142 | 23.03 | +15.94 |
| | Labrador | Ern Condon | 631 | 12.73 | +12.73 |
| | Liberal | Doris Sacrey | 423 | 8.53 | -36.54 |
| Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | 4,958 | 99.80 | – |
| Total rejected ballots | Total rejected ballots | Total rejected ballots | 10 | 0.20 | – |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 4,968 | 60.99 | -6.85 |
| Eligible voters | Eligible voters | Eligible voters | 8,145 |
| | New Democratic hold | New Democratic hold | Swing | Swing | +11.91 |
| Source: Elections Newfoundland and Labrador |||||||
1999 Newfoundland general election :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | New Democratic | Randy Collins | 2,700 | 47.84 | +47.84 |
| | Liberal | Perry Canning | 2,544 | 45.07 | -16.69 |
| | Progressive Conservative | Susan Whitten | 400 | 7.09 | -31.15 |
| Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | 5,644 | 99.68 | – |
| Total rejected ballots | Total rejected ballots | Total rejected ballots | 18 | 0.32 | – |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 5,662 | 67.84 | -5.57 |
| Eligible voters | Eligible voters | Eligible voters | 8,346 |
| | New Democratic gain from Liberal | New Democratic gain from Liberal | Swing | Swing | +32.27 |
| Source: Elections Newfoundland and Labrador |||||||
1996 Newfoundland general election :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Perry Canning | 3,457 | 61.76 | +15.76 |
| | Progressive Conservative | Alec Snow | 2,140 | 38.24 | -11.74 |
| Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | 5,597 | 99.77 | – |
| Total rejected ballots | Total rejected ballots | Total rejected ballots | 13 | 0.23 | – |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 5,610 | 73.41 | +0.74 |
| Eligible voters | Eligible voters | Eligible voters | 7,642 |
| | Liberal gain from Progressive Conservative | Liberal gain from Progressive Conservative | Swing | Swing | +13.75 |
| Source: Elections Newfoundland and Labrador |||||||
1993 Newfoundland general election :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Progressive Conservative | Alec Snow | 3,086 | 49.98 | -3.17 |
| | Liberal | Perry Canning | 2,840 | 46.00 | +5.47 |
| | New Democratic | Ruth Larson | 248 | 4.02 | -2.30 |
| Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | 6,174 | 99.74 | – |
| Total rejected ballots | Total rejected ballots | Total rejected ballots | 16 | 0.26 | – |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 6,190 | 72.67 | -14.35 |
| Eligible voters | Eligible voters | Eligible voters | 8,518 |
| | Progressive Conservative hold | Progressive Conservative hold | Swing | Swing | -4.32 |
| Source: Elections Newfoundland and Labrador |||||||
1989 Newfoundland general election :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Progressive Conservative | Alec Snow | 3,004 | 53.15 | +7.76 |
| | Liberal | Bill Kelly | 2,291 | 40.53 | +35.33 |
| | New Democratic | Nelson Larson | 357 | 6.32 | -43.09 |
| Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | 5,652 | 99.86 | – |
| Total rejected ballots | Total rejected ballots | Total rejected ballots | 8 | 0.14 | – |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 5,660 | 87.02 | -3.80 |
| Eligible voters | Eligible voters | Eligible voters | 6,504 |
| | Progressive Conservative gain from New Democratic | Progressive Conservative gain from New Democratic | Swing | Swing | +21.55 |
| Source: Elections Newfoundland and Labrador |||||||
1985 Newfoundland general election :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | New Democratic | Peter Fenwick | 2,841 | 49.41 | +9.09 |
| | Progressive Conservative | Alec Snow | 2,610 | 45.39 | +6.45 |
| | Liberal | Andrew Spracklin | 299 | 5.20 | -15.54 |
| Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | 5,750 | 99.71 | – |
| Total rejected ballots | Total rejected ballots | Total rejected ballots | 17 | 0.29 | – |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 5,767 | 90.82 | +31.99 |
| Eligible voters | Eligible voters | Eligible voters | 6,350 |
| | New Democratic hold | New Democratic hold | Swing | Swing | +7.77 |
| Source: Elections Newfoundland and Labrador |||||||
Newfoundland provincial by-election, October 9, 1984 upon the resignation of Peter J. Walsh :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | New Democratic | Peter Fenwick | 1,744 | 40.32 | +26.02 |
| | Progressive Conservative | Alec Snow | 1,684 | 38.94 | -19.91 |
| | Liberal | Danny Dumaresque | 897 | 20.74 | -6.11 |
| Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | 4,325 | 99.77 | – |
| Total rejected ballots | Total rejected ballots | Total rejected ballots | 10 | 0.23 | – |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 4,335 | 58.83 | -24.09 |
| Eligible voters | Eligible voters | Eligible voters | 7,369 |
| | New Democratic gain from Progressive Conservative | New Democratic gain from Progressive Conservative | Swing | Swing | +22.97 |
| Source: Elections Newfoundland and Labrador |||||||
1982 Newfoundland general election :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Progressive Conservative | Peter J. Walsh | 3,589 | 58.85 | +23.35 |
| | Liberal | Gordon C. Manstan | 1,637 | 26.85 | -7.01 |
| | New Democratic | Roland LeGrow | 872 | 14.30 | -16.34 |
| Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | 6,098 | 99.80 | – |
| Total rejected ballots | Total rejected ballots | Total rejected ballots | 12 | 0.20 | – |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 6,110 | 82.92 | +11.45 |
| Eligible voters | Eligible voters | Eligible voters | 7,369 |
| | Progressive Conservative hold | Progressive Conservative hold | Swing | Swing | +15.18 |
| Source: Elections Newfoundland and Labrador |||||||
1979 Newfoundland general election :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Progressive Conservative | Peter J. Walsh | 1,862 | 35.50 | -29.50 |
| | Liberal | Gordon C. Manstan | 1,776 | 33.86 | +18.10 |
| | New Democratic | Nelson Larson | 1,607 | 30.64 | +22.42 |
| Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | 5,245 | 99.62 | – |
| Total rejected ballots | Total rejected ballots | Total rejected ballots | 20 | 0.38 | – |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 5,265 | 71.45 | +21.06 |
| Eligible voters | Eligible voters | Eligible voters | 7,369 |
| | Progressive Conservative hold | Progressive Conservative hold | Swing | Swing | -23.80 |
| Source: Elections Newfoundland and Labrador |||||||
1975 Newfoundland general election :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Progressive Conservative | Joseph G. Rousseau | 2,561 | 65.00 | +4.16 |
| | Liberal | Eric Phillip Chaulk | 621 | 15.76 | -15.77 |
| | Reform Liberal | Eugene William Canning | 434 | 11.02 | +11.02 |
| | New Democratic | William James Smeaton | 324 | 8.22 | +8.22 |
| Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | 3,940 | 99.67 | – |
| Total rejected ballots | Total rejected ballots | Total rejected ballots | 13 | 0.33 | – |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 3,953 | 50.39 | -42.60 |
| Eligible voters | Eligible voters | Eligible voters | 7,845 |
| | Progressive Conservative hold | Progressive Conservative hold | Swing | Swing | +9.97 |
| Source: Elections Newfoundland and Labrador |||||||
1972 Newfoundland general election :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Progressive Conservative | Joseph G. Rousseau | 3,494 | 60.84 | |
| | Liberal | Thomas W. Burgess | 1,811 | 31.53 | |
| | Labrador | Gerald Thomas Neary | 438 | 7.63 | |
| Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | 5,743 | 99.19 | – |
| Total rejected ballots | Total rejected ballots | Total rejected ballots | 14 | 0.81 | – |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 5,757 | 92.99 |
| Eligible voters | Eligible voters | Eligible voters | 6,191 |
| | Progressive Conservative gain from Liberal | Progressive Conservative gain from Liberal | Swing | Swing | – |
| Source: Elections Newfoundland and Labrador |||||||