Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill (federal electoral district)
Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill is a federal electoral district in Ontario, Canada, that has been represented in the House of Commons since 2004.
The riding encompasses a portion of the Regional Municipality of York, specifically including the northern part of the Town of Richmond Hill, the eastern part of the Town of Aurora, and the western part of the Township of King (specifically the Oak Ridges community). The electoral district is geographically situated north of the City of Vaughan and south of Lake Simcoe.
Historically, the riding has been considered a bellwether, often electing a Member of Parliament from the party that forms the government. However, demographic shifts and changing political landscapes have contributed to occasional deviations from this trend.
The riding's population is diverse, reflecting a mix of long-time residents and newer immigrants, with a significant proportion of residents working in professional, scientific, and technical service industries. Key issues within the riding include transportation infrastructure, environmental protection (especially concerning the Oak Ridges Moraine), and economic development. The Oak Ridges Moraine is a particularly important feature of the region, requiring careful management to protect its ecological integrity and water resources.
Past electoral results have shown a competitive political landscape, with the Liberal Party and the Conservative Party being the dominant contenders. The New Democratic Party (NDP) and other parties also field candidates and seek to increase their support within the riding.
Changes to the riding boundaries have occurred over time due to mandatory electoral redistribution exercises conducted following each decennial census. These adjustments are intended to ensure that electoral districts have reasonably equal populations, taking into account factors such as community of interest and historical patterns.