Riding Profile

This northern Toronto riding consists of part of the former city of North York, encompassing York University and the former Downsview airport.

The riding is bordered by Highway 401 in the south and Steeles Avenue West in the north, between Yonge Street, the hydro transmission line, Bathurst Street and the west branch of the Don River in the east, and Keele Street, Grandravine Drive, Sheppard Avenue West and Jane Street in the west.

Renters outnumber homeowners 53 per cent to 47 per cent in this suburban riding. The major employer is the manufacturing sector. The average family income is $64,010 and unemployment is at seven per cent.

According to the 2001 census, the immigrant population is 57 per cent: 13% are of Italian origin, 17% are Jewish and 12% are Russian. Only 41% per cent gave English as their mother tongue.

York Centre was re-established in 1952. The 1996 redistribution kept 82% of the riding and added part of Willowdale. In 2000, another portion of Willowdale was added in the east, moving the riding boundary to Yonge Street and the northwestern boundary was moved west to Keele Street.

Population: 113,420

Map of York Centre