Provencher

Provencher is a federal electoral district in Manitoba, Canada, that has been represented in the House of Commons of Canada since 1871. It is a largely rural constituency in the province's southeast corner. Its largest community is the city of Steinbach, which makes up 15% of the riding's total population.

Geography
The district is in the most southeastern part of Manitoba.

Demographics

 * According to the 2011 Canadian census

Languages: 67.7% English, 17.3% German, 10.5% French, 1.2% Russian, 1.1% Ukrainian

Religions: 79.6% Christian (35.8% "Other Christian", 23.6% Catholic, 6.3% United Church, 4.8% Lutheran, 2.5% Anglican, 2.2% Baptist), 19.5% None.

Median income: $29,184 (2010)

Average income: $36,186 (2010)

History
The electoral district was created in 1871, and was one of the four original ridings allocated to Manitoba when it joined the Canadian Confederation in 1870. It is notable for being the riding that elected Louis Riel to the House of Commons as an independent.

Through its history the riding has alternated between representation by the Liberals and Progressive Conservatives (or Conservative Party of Canada).

This riding lost territory to Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman and Portage—Lisgar, and gained territory from Selkirk—Interlake during the 2012 electoral redistribution.

Members of Parliament
This riding has elected the following members of Parliament:

Election results
Minister of Public Safety Vic Toews resigned from cabinet and as an MP, effective 9 July 2013, to spend more time with his family and join the private sector.

Note: Conservative vote is compared to the total of the Canadian Alliance vote and Progressive Conservative vote in 2000 election.

Note: Canadian Alliance vote is compared to the Reform vote in 1997 election.