Edmonton West - History and Geography

History and Geography

This riding was first created in 1914 from Edmonton riding. Originally this was vast rural district including most of the northwestern quadrant of the province of Alberta and a small portion of the city of Edmonton. In 1924 the northern rural sections were separated to form the ridings of Peace River and Athabaska and in 1933 the more southerly portions became Jasper—Edson, and the areas nearer the city became Pembina in 1966.

The urban part of riding similarly shrank over time as Edmonton's population expanded and new districts were spun off from Edmonton West. Parts of Edmonton West were lost to Edmonton—Strathcona (1952), Edmonton Centre (first time 1966), Edmonton North, (1976). However it also gained area from the (temporary) abolition of Edmonton Centre in 1976.

Edmonton West was abolished in 1987 when it was redistributed into Edmonton Northwest and Edmonton Southwest ridings. It was re-created in 1996 from Edmonton Northwest, Edmonton Southwest and Edmonton East ridings.

The recreated Edmonton West then gained area due to the demise of Edmonton Northwest in 1997, but lost some due to the re-creation of Edmonton Centre in 2004.

Edmonton West was abolished again in 2003 and transferred mostly into Edmonton Centre, with a smaller portion going into Edmonton—Spruce Grove.