New Brunswick Southwest

New Brunswick Southwest covers the southwestern corner of the province, stretching from the Bay of Fundy coastline along the Maine border and inland through rural Charlotte, York, Sunbury, and Queens counties. The riding takes in the border towns of St. Stephen and St. Andrews, the coastal community of St. George, and inland communities such as Grand Bay—Westfield, McAdam, Harvey Station, and Fredericton Junction. The historic resort town of St. Andrews and the Passamaquoddy Bay area are among the riding's most recognizable landmarks.

Candidates

John Williamson (Conservative) — Williamson was seeking his first election to Parliament. A native of Charlotte County with deep roots in the St. Andrews area, he had built a national profile as a fiscal conservative advocate. He served as National Director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation from 2004 to 2008, championing lower taxes and government spending restraint. In 2009, he was hired by Prime Minister Stephen Harper as Director of Communications in the Prime Minister's Office, overseeing government-wide messaging. He stepped down from the PMO in 2010 to prepare his candidacy. The seat was open following the retirement of longtime Conservative MP Greg Thompson, who had served as Minister of Veterans Affairs.

Andrew Graham (NDP) — Graham was the NDP candidate and a veteran of multiple campaigns in the riding, having run in each federal election since 2006.

Kelly Wilson (Liberal) — Wilson carried the Liberal banner in a riding that had been firmly Conservative under Greg Thompson's long tenure.

Janice Harvey (Green Party) — Harvey was a prominent New Brunswick environmentalist. She had spent over two decades with the Conservation Council of New Brunswick, including as Executive Director, and established the organization's marine conservation program and the Fundy Baykeeper initiative. She was also known as a public affairs columnist for the Telegraph-Journal, writing a weekly column from 1995 to 2011, and had served as Vice-President of Friends of the Earth Canada.

Jason Farris ran for CHP Canada.

About the Riding

New Brunswick Southwest's economy is shaped by its coastline, its border with Maine, and its rural interior. The aquaculture industry — particularly salmon farming in the Passamaquoddy Bay and Fundy coast area — is a major employer, supporting over 2,000 jobs in the region. The town of St. Stephen sits directly across the St. Croix River from Calais, Maine, and cross-border commerce has long been central to the local economy; Ganong Bros., Canada's oldest candy company, has been based in St. Stephen since 1873. St. Andrews is a heritage tourism destination, home to the Algonquin Resort and the Huntsman Marine Science Centre. Inland, the riding is sparsely populated, with forestry and agriculture sustaining small communities. The riding also includes Grand Bay—Westfield, a growing residential community that functions as a suburb of Saint John. Heading into 2011, key issues included the regulation and sustainability of the aquaculture industry, cross-border trade facilitation, rural infrastructure, and the economic challenges facing small communities dependent on forestry.