| York East | |
| Province: | Ontario |
| Prov-Status: | defunct |
| Prov-Created: | 1867 |
| Prov-Abolished: | 1996 |
| Prov-Election-First: | 1867 |
| Prov-Election-Last: | 1995 |
York East was a provincial electoral district in Ontario, Canada. It was formed in 1867, the same year as the beginning of the country and it elected members up until 1999 when it was dissolved. Initially it covered a large swath of territory stretching from Lake Ontario north to Richmond Hill. It was formed based on the eastern part of the county of York. Over time as the population increased, the territory was reduced. By the late 1950s it represented only a portion of the borough of East York, a small municipality on the edge of Toronto. In 1999 it was abolished and its remaining territory was distributed between Beaches—East York and Don Valley West ridings.
In 1867, the County of York was subdivided into four ridings, York East, York North, York South, and York West. York East consisted of the townships of Markham, Scarborough, and any areas east of Yonge Street excluding the city of Toronto. It also included the village of Yorkville. These boundaries coincided with the Federal riding of the same name.[1]
In 1874, the village of Richmond Hill was removed.
In 1885, Richmond Hill was added back.
In 1926 portions of the riding were lost to the new ridings of Eglinton and Beaches. This reflected changes to the boundaries of the city of Toronto.
In 1955, following the incorporation of Metropolitan Toronto, Scarborough Township was separated and York Scarborough became a separate riding. Eight years later, that riding was divided into four further separate ridings.
By 1963, the boundaries had been reduced to encompass a portion of territory within the bounds of Metro Toronto. This consisted of the area South of Steeles Avenue East, west of Victoria Park Avenue and east of Yonge Street, excluding the area within the old city of Toronto.
In 1967, the riding was subdivided into three parts. The northern portion became the new riding of York Mills, the middle portion became the riding of Don Mills and the southern portion retained the name York East.[2]
Except for minor boundary changes, the riding stayed much the same until it was dissolved in 1999.