Coast of Bays—Central—Notre Dame

Covering the forested interior and northern coast of central Newfoundland, Coast of Bays—Central—Notre Dame stretches from the Bay d'Espoir hydroelectric region in the south to the shores of Notre Dame Bay and Fogo Island in the north. Grand Falls-Windsor and Gander, the riding's two main population centres, sit along the Trans-Canada Highway and provide regional services to roughly 160 smaller communities scattered across the district.

Candidates

Scott Simms (Liberal) — Simms had held the seat since 2004, making him the longest-serving MP in Newfoundland and Labrador by the time of the 2019 campaign. Born and raised in Bishop's Falls, he studied commerce at Mount Allison University and journalism at Loyalist College, then worked as a radio reporter in Gander and Grand Falls-Windsor before joining The Weather Network. In Parliament, he chaired the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage and served as president of the Canada-Europe Parliamentary Association.

Alex Bracci (Conservative) — Bracci ran as the Conservative challenger in the riding, seeking to build on growing Conservative support in rural Newfoundland.

Noel Joe (NDP) — Joe is a member of the Miawpukek First Nation in central Newfoundland. He entered the campaign as the NDP candidate, bringing an Indigenous perspective to debates about resource management and community development in the riding.

Byron White (Green Party) — White represented the Green Party in the riding, rounding out a four-candidate field.

About the Riding

Central Newfoundland's economy has been shaped by forestry, mining, aviation, and hydroelectric power. Grand Falls-Windsor grew around a pulp and paper mill on the Exploits River, but the closure of the Abitibi-Bowater mill in 2009 dealt a lasting economic blow; the town has since relied more heavily on its regional hospital and retail sector. Gander remains an important aviation centre, home to NAV Canada operations, 9 Wing Canadian Forces Base, and 103 Search and Rescue Squadron, with the airport generating significant economic activity. The Bay d'Espoir hydroelectric complex produces a substantial share of the province's electricity. Fogo Island gained international recognition through the Shorefast Foundation's community development work, including the architecturally acclaimed Fogo Island Inn. By 2019, concerns about rural out-migration, fisheries quota allocations, broadband connectivity, and the long-term viability of the forestry sector were prominent campaign themes.