Thompson is a provincial electoral division in the Canadian province of Manitoba. It was created by redistribution in 1968, and has formally existed since the provincial election of 1969. Thompson is located in the north of the province. It is bordered by Rupertsland to the north and west, Flin Flon to the north and east, and The Pas to the south. The town of Thompson was incorporated shortly before the riding's creation, and is its only major urban centre. Almost half of the riding's residents live in that community. The riding's population in 1996 was 19,349. As of 1999, the average family income was $56,402, and the unemployment rate was 12.60%. The riding's character is primarily working-class, with 17% of its economy coming from the mining sector. Forty-two per cent of the riding's residents are aboriginal, the third highest rate in the province. Thompson is considered safe for the New Democratic Party, which has represented the riding almost continually since its creation. The current MLA, Steve Ashton, is the longest serving member of the Manitoba legislature, having been first elected in 1981. In 2003, he was re-elected with almost 83% of the popular vote.
