York South was an
electoral district
An electoral district, also known as an election district, legislative district, voting district, constituency, riding, ward, division, or (election) precinct is a subdivision of a larger state (a country, administrative region, or other polity ...
(or "riding") in
Ontario
Ontario ( ; ) is one of the thirteen provinces and territories of Canada.Ontario is located in the geographic eastern half of Canada, but it has historically and politically been considered to be part of Central Canada. Located in Central Ca ...
, Canada, that was represented in the
House of Commons of Canada
The House of Commons of Canada (french: Chambre des communes du Canada) is the lower house of the Parliament of Canada. Together with the Crown and the Senate of Canada, they comprise the bicameral legislature of Canada.
The House of Common ...
from 1904 to 1979.
The riding is notable for the 1942 federal
by-election
A by-election, also known as a special election in the United States and the Philippines, a bye-election in Ireland, a bypoll in India, or a Zimni election (Urdu: ضمنی انتخاب, supplementary election) in Pakistan, is an election used to f ...
in which newly elected
Conservative
Conservatism is a cultural, social, and political philosophy that seeks to promote and to preserve traditional institutions, practices, and values. The central tenets of conservatism may vary in relation to the culture and civilization i ...
leader
Arthur Meighen
Arthur Meighen (; June 16, 1874 – August 5, 1960) was a Canadian lawyer and politician who served as the ninth prime minister of Canada from 1920 to 1921 and from June to September 1926. He led the Conservative Party from 1920 to 1926 and fro ...
was defeated in his attempt to win a seat in the House of Commons by the
Co-operative Commonwealth Federation
The Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF; french: Fédération du Commonwealth Coopératif, FCC); from 1955 the Social Democratic Party of Canada (''french: Parti social démocratique du Canada''), was a federal democratic socialism, democra ...
's (CCF) candidate (assisted by the
Liberals). The election was a major breakthrough for the CCF, and ended Meighen's attempt to return to politics. In later years, it became known as perennial leaders' riding, the home district for both CCF and
New Democratic Party
The New Democratic Party (NDP; french: Nouveau Parti démocratique, NPD) is a federal political party in Canada. Widely described as social democratic,The party is widely described as social democratic:
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
* t ...
(NDP) leaders
Ted Jolliffe
Edward Bigelow JolliffeSmith, p. 195 (March 2, 1909 – March 18, 1998) was a Canadian social democratic politician and lawyer from Ontario. He was the first leader of the Ontario section of the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF) and ...
,
Donald C. MacDonald
Donald Cameron MacDonald (December 7, 1913 – March 8, 2008) was a Canadian politician. Referred to in the media as the "best premier Ontario never had," he represented the provincial riding of York South in the Legislative Assembly of O ...
,
David Lewis and
Bob Rae
Robert Keith Rae (born August 2, 1948) is a Canadian diplomat and former politician who is the current Canadian Ambassador to the United Nations since 2020. He previously served as the 21st premier of Ontario from 1990 to 1995, leader of the ...
.
History
York South was created in 1903 as "the south riding of York" from parts of
York East
York East was a federal electoral district represented in the House of Commons of Canada at different times. It was located in the province of Ontario.
History
The first federal riding of York East was created by the British North America Act ...
and
York West
York is a cathedral city with Roman Britain, Roman origins, sited at the confluence of the rivers River Ouse, Yorkshire, Ouse and River Foss, Foss in North Yorkshire, England. It is the historic county town of Yorkshire. The city has many hist ...
ridings. It initially consisted of the township of York, and the towns of East Toronto, North Toronto, and Toronto Junction. As is suggested by the names of the towns in the riding, the constituency abutted on the city of
Toronto
Toronto ( ; or ) is the capital city of the Canadian province of Ontario. With a recorded population of 2,794,356 in 2021, it is the most populous city in Canada and the fourth most populous city in North America. The city is the ancho ...
's northern border.
In 1914, it was called "South York", and redefined to consist of the villages of Richmond Hill and Markham, the township of Markham, the town of Leaside, and the township of York (excluding parts included in the riding of West York); and those portions of the city of Toronto not included in the ridings of West York, Parkdale, North Toronto, East Toronto, Centre Toronto, West Toronto, South Toronto and East York. In 1924, it was called "York South", and consisted of all that part of the county of York lying east of Yonge Street, south of the township of Markham and outside the city of Toronto.
In 1933, York South was defined to consist of all that portion of the township of York not included in the electoral district of West York, the town of Weston and the village of Forest Hill. From 1947, it consisted of the village of Forest Hill and a portion of the township of York. In 1952, it consisted the village of Forest Hill and a re-defined portion of the township of York.
As time progressed and the population grew, the riding shrank in size so that it consisted of what was later called the
Borough of York
York is a former city within Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is located northwest of Old Toronto, southwest of North York and east of Etobicoke, where it is bounded by the Humber River.
Originally formed as York Township, it encompassed the ...
in the middle western part of
Metropolitan Toronto
The Municipality of Metropolitan Toronto was an upper-tier level of municipal government in Ontario, Canada, from 1953 to 1998. It was made up of the old city of Toronto and numerous townships, towns and villages that surrounded Toronto, whic ...
and some surrounding areas. While it was originally a largely rural riding it was an urban, working class riding by the end of
World War II
World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...
.
The electoral district was abolished in 1976 when the main part of the riding became
York South—Weston
York South—Weston (french: York-Sud—Weston) is a federal electoral district (Canada), electoral district in Ontario, Canada, that has been represented in the House of Commons of Canada since 1979.
In 2015, York South—Weston elected Can ...
, and other parts were redistributed between
Davenport,
Eglinton—Lawrence
Eglinton—Lawrence is a federal electoral district in Ontario, Canada, that has been represented in the House of Commons of Canada since 1979.
It covers a portion of Toronto northwest of downtown. It stretches from Yonge Street in the ea ...
and
St. Paul's ridings.
Members of Parliament
This riding elected the following members of the House of Commons of Canada:
Election results
South riding of York
, -
,
Independent Conservative
Independent Conservative is a description which has been used in the United Kingdom, Canada, United States and elsewhere, to denote a political conservative who lacks a formal affiliation to the party of that name.
In the United Kingdom
As a de ...
,
William Findlay Maclean
William Findlay Maclean (August 10, 1854 – December 7, 1929) was a Canadian politician.
Born in Ancaster, Wentworth County, Ontario, the son of John Maclean and Isabella Findlay, he was educated at the Hamilton Public School and the Univ ...
, align="right", 2,418
, Unknown
, Alexander J. Anderson
, align="right", 1,790
, -
,
Independent Conservative
Independent Conservative is a description which has been used in the United Kingdom, Canada, United States and elsewhere, to denote a political conservative who lacks a formal affiliation to the party of that name.
In the United Kingdom
As a de ...
,
William Findlay Maclean
William Findlay Maclean (August 10, 1854 – December 7, 1929) was a Canadian politician.
Born in Ancaster, Wentworth County, Ontario, the son of John Maclean and Isabella Findlay, he was educated at the Hamilton Public School and the Univ ...
, align="right",
acclaimed
An acclamation is a form of election that does not use a ballot. It derives from the ancient Roman word ''acclamatio'', a kind of ritual greeting and expression of approval towards imperial officials in certain social contexts.
Voting Voice vot ...
, -
,
Independent Conservative
Independent Conservative is a description which has been used in the United Kingdom, Canada, United States and elsewhere, to denote a political conservative who lacks a formal affiliation to the party of that name.
In the United Kingdom
As a de ...
,
William Findlay Maclean
William Findlay Maclean (August 10, 1854 – December 7, 1929) was a Canadian politician.
Born in Ancaster, Wentworth County, Ontario, the son of John Maclean and Isabella Findlay, he was educated at the Hamilton Public School and the Univ ...
, align="right", 7,194
, Unknown
, Louis Franklin Heyd
, align="right", 1,901
South York
, -
,
Government (Unionist)
,
William Findlay Maclean
William Findlay Maclean (August 10, 1854 – December 7, 1929) was a Canadian politician.
Born in Ancaster, Wentworth County, Ontario, the son of John Maclean and Isabella Findlay, he was educated at the Hamilton Public School and the Univ ...
, align="right", 16,088
,
Opposition (Laurier Liberals)
, Alexander MacGregor
, align="right", 2,065
,
Labour
Labour or labor may refer to:
* Childbirth, the delivery of a baby
* Labour (human activity), or work
** Manual labour, physical work
** Wage labour, a socioeconomic relationship between a worker and an employer
** Organized labour and the labour ...
, James Thomas Gunn
, align="right", 1,977
, Unknown
, John Galbraith
, align="right", 118
, -
,
Independent Conservative
Independent Conservative is a description which has been used in the United Kingdom, Canada, United States and elsewhere, to denote a political conservative who lacks a formal affiliation to the party of that name.
In the United Kingdom
As a de ...
,
William Findlay Maclean
William Findlay Maclean (August 10, 1854 – December 7, 1929) was a Canadian politician.
Born in Ancaster, Wentworth County, Ontario, the son of John Maclean and Isabella Findlay, he was educated at the Hamilton Public School and the Univ ...
, align="right", 10,368
,
Liberal
Liberal or liberalism may refer to:
Politics
* a supporter of liberalism
** Liberalism by country
* an adherent of a Liberal Party
* Liberalism (international relations)
* Sexually liberal feminism
* Social liberalism
Arts, entertainment and m ...
, Alexander MacGregor
, align="right", 8,015
York South
, -
,
Independent Conservative
Independent Conservative is a description which has been used in the United Kingdom, Canada, United States and elsewhere, to denote a political conservative who lacks a formal affiliation to the party of that name.
In the United Kingdom
As a de ...
,
William Findlay MacLean
William Findlay Maclean (August 10, 1854 – December 7, 1929) was a Canadian politician.
Born in Ancaster, Wentworth County, Ontario, the son of John Maclean and Isabella Findlay, he was educated at the Hamilton Public School and the Univ ...
, align="right", 7,762
,
Liberal
Liberal or liberalism may refer to:
Politics
* a supporter of liberalism
** Liberalism by country
* an adherent of a Liberal Party
* Liberalism (international relations)
* Sexually liberal feminism
* Social liberalism
Arts, entertainment and m ...
, Russell James Reesor
, align="right", 1,394
,
Independent Conservative
Independent Conservative is a description which has been used in the United Kingdom, Canada, United States and elsewhere, to denote a political conservative who lacks a formal affiliation to the party of that name.
In the United Kingdom
As a de ...
, John Galbraith
, align="right", 990
, -
,
Conservative
Conservatism is a cultural, social, and political philosophy that seeks to promote and to preserve traditional institutions, practices, and values. The central tenets of conservatism may vary in relation to the culture and civilization i ...
,
Robert Henry McGregor
Robert Henry McGregor, (March 1, 1886 – October 25, 1965) was a long-time Canadian parliamentarian.
MacGregor was a contractor and horticulturalist by profession. He grew up in the Todmorden area of suburban Toronto, and was once an Ele ...
, align="right", 6,555
,
Independent Conservative
Independent Conservative is a description which has been used in the United Kingdom, Canada, United States and elsewhere, to denote a political conservative who lacks a formal affiliation to the party of that name.
In the United Kingdom
As a de ...
,
William Findlay MacLean
William Findlay Maclean (August 10, 1854 – December 7, 1929) was a Canadian politician.
Born in Ancaster, Wentworth County, Ontario, the son of John Maclean and Isabella Findlay, he was educated at the Hamilton Public School and the Univ ...
, align="right", 4,880
, -
,
Conservative
Conservatism is a cultural, social, and political philosophy that seeks to promote and to preserve traditional institutions, practices, and values. The central tenets of conservatism may vary in relation to the culture and civilization i ...
,
Robert Henry McGregor
Robert Henry McGregor, (March 1, 1886 – October 25, 1965) was a long-time Canadian parliamentarian.
MacGregor was a contractor and horticulturalist by profession. He grew up in the Todmorden area of suburban Toronto, and was once an Ele ...
, align="right", 11,852
,
Liberal
Liberal or liberalism may refer to:
Politics
* a supporter of liberalism
** Liberalism by country
* an adherent of a Liberal Party
* Liberalism (international relations)
* Sexually liberal feminism
* Social liberalism
Arts, entertainment and m ...
, Dennis McCarthy
, align="right", 5,394
, -
,
Conservative
Conservatism is a cultural, social, and political philosophy that seeks to promote and to preserve traditional institutions, practices, and values. The central tenets of conservatism may vary in relation to the culture and civilization i ...
,
Earl Lawson
, align="right", 11,596
,
Co-operative Commonwealth
, Luke Teskey
, align="right", 8,247
,
Liberal
Liberal or liberalism may refer to:
Politics
* a supporter of liberalism
** Liberalism by country
* an adherent of a Liberal Party
* Liberalism (international relations)
* Sexually liberal feminism
* Social liberalism
Arts, entertainment and m ...
,
Elmore Philpott
Captain Elmore Philpott (May 2, 1896 – December 9, 1964) was a Canadian politician and journalist. Philpott joined the Canadian military during World War I and was badly wounded – he needed two canes to help him walk for the rest of his life. ...
, align="right", 7,059
, -
,
National Government
,
Alan Cockeram
Alan Cockeram, DSO (December 6, 1894 – September 11, 1957) was a mining executive, military officer and Canadian politician who sat in the House of Commons of Canada in the 1940s. He is best known for having given up his York South seat in orde ...
, align="right", 15,346
,
Liberal
Liberal or liberalism may refer to:
Politics
* a supporter of liberalism
** Liberalism by country
* an adherent of a Liberal Party
* Liberalism (international relations)
* Sexually liberal feminism
* Social liberalism
Arts, entertainment and m ...
, F. J. MacRae
, align="right", 12,864
,
Co-operative Commonwealth
,
Joseph W. Noseworthy
Joseph William Noseworthy (November 25, 1888 – March 30, 1956) was a Canadians, Canadian politician. He was a Co-operative Commonwealth Federation member of the House of Commons of Canada, federal parliament from 1942 to 1945 and again fro ...
, align="right", 5,372
By-election: On Mr. Cockeram's resignation to allow Arthur Meighen to contest the seat:
, -
,
Co-operative Commonwealth
,
Joseph W. Noseworthy
Joseph William Noseworthy (November 25, 1888 – March 30, 1956) was a Canadians, Canadian politician. He was a Co-operative Commonwealth Federation member of the House of Commons of Canada, federal parliament from 1942 to 1945 and again fro ...
, align="right", 16,408
,
Conservative
Conservatism is a cultural, social, and political philosophy that seeks to promote and to preserve traditional institutions, practices, and values. The central tenets of conservatism may vary in relation to the culture and civilization i ...
,
Arthur Meighen
Arthur Meighen (; June 16, 1874 – August 5, 1960) was a Canadian lawyer and politician who served as the ninth prime minister of Canada from 1920 to 1921 and from June to September 1926. He led the Conservative Party from 1920 to 1926 and fro ...
, align="right", 11,952
, -
,
Progressive Conservative
,
Alan Cockeram
Alan Cockeram, DSO (December 6, 1894 – September 11, 1957) was a mining executive, military officer and Canadian politician who sat in the House of Commons of Canada in the 1940s. He is best known for having given up his York South seat in orde ...
, align="right", 16,666
,
Co-operative Commonwealth
,
Joseph W. Noseworthy
Joseph William Noseworthy (November 25, 1888 – March 30, 1956) was a Canadians, Canadian politician. He was a Co-operative Commonwealth Federation member of the House of Commons of Canada, federal parliament from 1942 to 1945 and again fro ...
, align="right", 13,543
,
Liberal
Liberal or liberalism may refer to:
Politics
* a supporter of liberalism
** Liberalism by country
* an adherent of a Liberal Party
* Liberalism (international relations)
* Sexually liberal feminism
* Social liberalism
Arts, entertainment and m ...
, John Harvey Lynes
, align="right", 9,104
, -
,
Co-operative Commonwealth
,
Joseph W. Noseworthy
Joseph William Noseworthy (November 25, 1888 – March 30, 1956) was a Canadians, Canadian politician. He was a Co-operative Commonwealth Federation member of the House of Commons of Canada, federal parliament from 1942 to 1945 and again fro ...
, align="right", 15,293
,
Progressive Conservative
,
Alan Cockeram
Alan Cockeram, DSO (December 6, 1894 – September 11, 1957) was a mining executive, military officer and Canadian politician who sat in the House of Commons of Canada in the 1940s. He is best known for having given up his York South seat in orde ...
, align="right", 14,273
,
Liberal
Liberal or liberalism may refer to:
Politics
* a supporter of liberalism
** Liberalism by country
* an adherent of a Liberal Party
* Liberalism (international relations)
* Sexually liberal feminism
* Social liberalism
Arts, entertainment and m ...
, Eric R. Marsden
, align="right", 11,932
, -
,
Co-operative Commonwealth
,
Joseph W. Noseworthy
Joseph William Noseworthy (November 25, 1888 – March 30, 1956) was a Canadians, Canadian politician. He was a Co-operative Commonwealth Federation member of the House of Commons of Canada, federal parliament from 1942 to 1945 and again fro ...
, align="right", 12,216
,
Liberal
Liberal or liberalism may refer to:
Politics
* a supporter of liberalism
** Liberalism by country
* an adherent of a Liberal Party
* Liberalism (international relations)
* Sexually liberal feminism
* Social liberalism
Arts, entertainment and m ...
, Alfred Green
, align="right", 10,820
,
Progressive Conservative
,
Alan Cockeram
Alan Cockeram, DSO (December 6, 1894 – September 11, 1957) was a mining executive, military officer and Canadian politician who sat in the House of Commons of Canada in the 1940s. He is best known for having given up his York South seat in orde ...
, align="right", 10,116
, -
,
Progressive Conservative
,
William George Beech
, align="right", 16,624
,
Liberal
Liberal or liberalism may refer to:
Politics
* a supporter of liberalism
** Liberalism by country
* an adherent of a Liberal Party
* Liberalism (international relations)
* Sexually liberal feminism
* Social liberalism
Arts, entertainment and m ...
,
Marvin Gelber
Marvin Gelber (1 November 1912 – 5 October 1990) was a Liberal party member of the House of Commons of Canada. He was born in Toronto, Ontario and became a businessman and merchant by career.
Gelber was born in 1912 to Sara and Louis Gelber. ...
, align="right", 12,232
,
Co-operative Commonwealth
, William Sefton
, align="right", 12,024
, -
,
Progressive Conservative
,
William George Beech
, align="right", 22,980
,
Liberal
Liberal or liberalism may refer to:
Politics
* a supporter of liberalism
** Liberalism by country
* an adherent of a Liberal Party
* Liberalism (international relations)
* Sexually liberal feminism
* Social liberalism
Arts, entertainment and m ...
,
Marvin Gelber
Marvin Gelber (1 November 1912 – 5 October 1990) was a Liberal party member of the House of Commons of Canada. He was born in Toronto, Ontario and became a businessman and merchant by career.
Gelber was born in 1912 to Sara and Louis Gelber. ...
, align="right", 13,141
,
Co-operative Commonwealth
, Bill Sefton
, align="right", 9,643
, -
,
New Democratic
,
David Lewis
, align="right", 19,101
,
Liberal
Liberal or liberalism may refer to:
Politics
* a supporter of liberalism
** Liberalism by country
* an adherent of a Liberal Party
* Liberalism (international relations)
* Sexually liberal feminism
* Social liberalism
Arts, entertainment and m ...
,
Marvin Gelber
Marvin Gelber (1 November 1912 – 5 October 1990) was a Liberal party member of the House of Commons of Canada. He was born in Toronto, Ontario and became a businessman and merchant by career.
Gelber was born in 1912 to Sara and Louis Gelber. ...
, align="right", 15,423
,
Progressive Conservative
,
William George Beech
, align="right", 12,552
, -
,
Liberal
Liberal or liberalism may refer to:
Politics
* a supporter of liberalism
** Liberalism by country
* an adherent of a Liberal Party
* Liberalism (international relations)
* Sexually liberal feminism
* Social liberalism
Arts, entertainment and m ...
,
Marvin Gelber
Marvin Gelber (1 November 1912 – 5 October 1990) was a Liberal party member of the House of Commons of Canada. He was born in Toronto, Ontario and became a businessman and merchant by career.
Gelber was born in 1912 to Sara and Louis Gelber. ...
, align="right", 21,042
,
New Democratic
,
David Lewis
, align="right", 17,396
,
Progressive Conservative
,
William George Beech
, align="right", 9,648
, -
,
New Democratic
,
David Lewis
, align="right", 21,693
,
Liberal
Liberal or liberalism may refer to:
Politics
* a supporter of liberalism
** Liberalism by country
* an adherent of a Liberal Party
* Liberalism (international relations)
* Sexually liberal feminism
* Social liberalism
Arts, entertainment and m ...
,
Marvin Gelber
Marvin Gelber (1 November 1912 – 5 October 1990) was a Liberal party member of the House of Commons of Canada. He was born in Toronto, Ontario and became a businessman and merchant by career.
Gelber was born in 1912 to Sara and Louis Gelber. ...
, align="right", 18,098
,
Progressive Conservative
, Maxwell Rotstein
, align="right", 6,427
, -
,
New Democratic
,
David Lewis
, align="right", 12,357
,
Liberal
Liberal or liberalism may refer to:
Politics
* a supporter of liberalism
** Liberalism by country
* an adherent of a Liberal Party
* Liberalism (international relations)
* Sexually liberal feminism
* Social liberalism
Arts, entertainment and m ...
, Ron Barbaro
, align="right", 11,693
,
Progressive Conservative
, Cy Townsend
, align="right", 4,499
, -
,
New Democratic
,
David Lewis
, align="right", 14,225
,
Liberal
Liberal or liberalism may refer to:
Politics
* a supporter of liberalism
** Liberalism by country
* an adherent of a Liberal Party
* Liberalism (international relations)
* Sexually liberal feminism
* Social liberalism
Arts, entertainment and m ...
, Lucio Appolloni
, align="right", 9,551
,
Progressive Conservative
,
John Oostrom
John Martin Oostrom (born September 2, 1930) is a former Canadian business executive and parliamentarian. He was the first Dutch-born Canadian elected to the House of Commons of Canada.
Life
Oostrom was the eldest of thirteen children and im ...
, align="right", 6,401
, Unknown
, Keith Corkhill
, align="right", 172
References
York South entry on the House of Commons websiteincludes election results and the changing descriptions of the riding's boundaries.
{{Ridings in Ontario
Former federal electoral districts of Ontario
Federal electoral districts of Toronto