Coast of Bays--Central--Notre Dame

Coast of Bays--Central--Notre Dame is a federal electoral district spanning the geographic heart of the island of Newfoundland, from the south coast's Bay d'Espoir and Connaigre Peninsula northward through the Exploits Valley to Notre Dame Bay and Fogo Island. With a 2021 census population of approximately 74,200, the riding's main population centres are Grand Falls-Windsor (population 13,853), Gander (population 11,880), and the smaller towns of Lewisporte, Botwood, and Baie Verte.

Candidates

Clifford Small (Conservative) grew up in Wild Cove on the Baie Verte Peninsula and graduated from Beothuk Collegiate in Baie Verte. A commercial fisherman by trade, Small spent decades in the fishing industry before becoming an entrepreneur, opening three Smitty's restaurant locations in central Newfoundland. His firsthand experience in the fishery became a central theme of his campaign, particularly regarding federal fisheries management and the allocation of fishing quotas.

Scott Simms (Liberal) was first elected to Parliament in 2004 in the predecessor riding of Bonavista-Exploits and had won every subsequent election, making him the longest-serving MP in Newfoundland and Labrador at the time. Born and raised in Bishop's Falls, Simms graduated from Mount Allison University with a Bachelor of Commerce and from Loyalist College in journalism. Before entering politics, he worked as a radio reporter in Gander and Grand Falls-Windsor and later for The Weather Network. Simms served as chair of the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage and as president of the Canada-Europe Parliamentary Association.

Jamie Ruby (NDP) ran as the NDP candidate in the riding, finishing third in what became an exceptionally close two-way race between Small and Simms.

About the Riding

Coast of Bays--Central--Notre Dame covers a vast interior and coastal territory that has historically relied on forestry, mining, fishing, and aviation. Grand Falls-Windsor developed around a pulp and paper mill established in 1909 on the Exploits River, though the closure of the Abitibi-Bowater mill in 2008 dealt a severe economic blow to the town. Gander, built around its famous international airport, remains a hub for aerospace and defence. NAV Canada, the Royal Canadian Air Force's 9 Wing Canadian Forces Base Gander, and the 103 Search and Rescue Squadron are major employers, with the airport alone generating an estimated $240 million in annual economic output.

The Baie Verte Peninsula has a long history of mining, including asbestos and gold extraction, while the Connaigre Peninsula on the south coast supports a significant aquaculture industry. Fogo Island, accessible only by ferry, has gained international attention through the Shorefast Foundation's community economic development initiatives, including the architecturally acclaimed Fogo Island Inn.

The riding faced several pressing federal issues in 2021. Rural depopulation continued to accelerate, with many communities losing residents to larger centres or out-of-province employment. Fisheries management -- particularly concerning northern cod stock recovery and quota allocations -- was a dominant concern. Broadband internet access in remote communities, health care staffing shortages in rural hospitals, and the future of the forestry sector following mill closures were also significant campaign issues. The race attracted national attention as one of the closest contests in the country, ultimately ending with a margin of just 264 votes.