Minnedosa (electoral district)
Minnedosa was a provincial electoral division in the Canadian province of Manitoba from 1881 to 2011. It was created in 1881 with the expansion of the province's western boundary. From 1886 to 1888, it was divided into two ridings, Minnedosa East and Minnedosa West. Minnedosa was located in the southwestern region of Manitoba. It was bordered by Russell to the north, Ste. Rose to the east, Turtle Mountain to the east and south, and Arthur-Virden to the south and west. The constituency also surrounded the City of Brandon, which is divided into the ridings of  Brandon East and Brandon West. Minnedosa itself was the largest community in the constituency. Other communities in riding the included Souris, Rivers, Rapid City, Shilo, Basswood, Wawanesa, and Erickson. Minnedosa's population in 1996 was 18,694. In 1999, the average family income was $46,627, and the unemployment rate was 3.50%. Agriculture accounted for 22% of the riding's industry, followed by government services at 12% and health and social services at 12%. Six per cent of the population was of German background, and 15% were over 65 years of age. Minnedosa was held by the Progressive Conservative Party for  several decades, but the New Democratic Party made efforts to win the seat in the riding's last years. In the provincial election of 2003, the Conservative Party retained the seat by only 12 votes, but in the 2007 Election the Progressive Conservative incumbent Leanne Rowat won with 52.83% and the NDP candidate won 38.53% of the vote. As a result of the 2008 Electoral Redistibution, for the 2011 Election, the constituency was dissolved. Most of the riding, including the city of Minnedosa, became part of the new riding of Riding Mountain. Smaller portions were transferred to the new ridings  of Spruce Woods and Arthur-Virden.