Provencher is a federal electoral district in Manitoba, Canada, that has been represented in the House of Commons of Canada since 1871. It is a largely rural district in the province's southeast corner. Its largest community is the city of Steinbach.
Ethnic groups: 85.3% White, 12.3% Aboriginal
Languages: 67.7% English, 17.3% German, 10.5% French, 1.2% Russian, 1.1% Ukrainian
Religions: 79.6% Christian (35.8% "Other Christian", 23.6% Catholic, 6.3% United Church, 4.8% Lutheran, 2.5% Anglican, 2.2% Baptist), 19.5% None.
Median income: $29,184 (2010)[2]
Average income: $36,186 (2010) [2]
The electoral district was created in 1871, and was one of the four original ridings allocated to Manitoba when it joined the Canadian Confederation in 1870. It is notable for being the riding that elected Louis Riel to the House of Commons as an independent.
Through its history the riding has alternated between representation by the Liberals and Progressive Conservatives (or Conservative Party of Canada).
This riding lost territory to Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman and Portage—Lisgar, and gained territory from Selkirk—Interlake during the 2012 electoral redistribution.
Minister of Public Safety Vic Toews resigned from cabinet and as an MP, effective 9 July 2013, to spend more time with his family and join the private sector.[8]