A traditionally safe non-Conservative riding in central Prince Edward Island, Malpeque has been held by Liberals candidates since 1988, going to the Liberal incumbent MP Wayne Easter since 1993. However, the Conservatives were within 5% and 4% of the Liberals in the 2008 and 2011 elections, respectively. The NDP traditionally sits at 10% or less of the vote, but in 2011 they secured 15%.