British Columbia voters sent a message that Canadians are deeply concerned about the environment and climate issues will be at the forefront in OctoberB次元官网网址檚 federal election campaign, jubilant Green party supporters said Monday night.

Voters in Nanaimo elected Paul Manly of the Greens as their new member of Parliament, barely six months before OctoberB次元官网网址檚 federal vote.

With about 95 per cent of the ballots counted in the Nanaimo-Ladysmith byelection, Manly received 37.4 per cent of the vote.

John Hirst, the Conservative candidate, was a distant second with almost 25 per cent of the vote. The NDP polled 23 per cent and Liberal candidate Michelle Corfield received 11 per cent of the vote.

B次元官网网址淧eople really want to see action on climate change,B次元官网网址� said Manly, who called his victory B次元官网网址渉istoric.B次元官网网址�

Manly will become the second Green party member in Parliament, joining Leader Elizabeth May.

His victory shows the other parties that Canadians are serious about climate change, Manly said, adding he expects the Green wave of support to grow in the October election.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 time to step up and do what needs to be done and have a little bit of political courage to deal with climate change properly,B次元官网网址� Manly said. B次元官网网址淪top subsidizing the fossil fuel industry.B次元官网网址�

Ilan Goldenblatt, ManlyB次元官网网址檚 campaign manager, said voters in Nanaimo served notice to the Liberals, Conservatives and New Democrats that Canadians want more movement on environmental issues.

B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 a real strong sense here on the West Coast and on Vancouver Island that the three old-line parties are just slow on the uptake on actually committing to real action,B次元官网网址� he said.

Green Leader Elizabeth May said in a statement ManlyB次元官网网址檚 win signals a new era in federal politics. The win doubles Green party caucus in the House of Commons, where May has served as the only Green MP since 2011.

B次元官网网址淚t is brave to vote for real change,B次元官网网址� said May in a statement. B次元官网网址淧aul and I will work tirelessly to continue to earn the trust of Canadians.B次元官网网址�

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Caught Green Party candidate Paul Manly setting up lighting gear for the Green Party election party at Cavalloti Lodge in Nanaimo tonight. One way or another he's heading back east after tonight's election.

B次元官网网址� Chris Bush (@ChrisBushphotog)

Gord Johns, Courtenay-Alberni NDP MP, said the Green win will be felt in Prime Minister Justin TrudeauB次元官网网址檚 office and among the Liberal caucus.

B次元官网网址淭his vote is a clear message to the Liberals and Justin Trudeau,B次元官网网址� said Johns at a subdued NDP election headquarters for defeated candidate Bob Chamberlin. B次元官网网址淭he people in Nanaimo-Ladysmith and most Canadians are unhappy with whatB次元官网网址檚 going on in Ottawa. This is what we heard on the doorstep everyday.B次元官网网址�

He called the Green win a B次元官网网址減rotest vote,B次元官网网址� and said the NDP campaign for the October election B次元官网网址渟tarts tonight.B次元官网网址�

Manly said he was heading to Ottawa to help May.

B次元官网网址淚t sends a message clearly that weB次元官网网址檝e seen a wave come across from Prince Edward Island B次元官网网址� that people are serious about climate change,B次元官网网址� he said.

Manly told the crowd of cheering supporters he will work hard to do better for the community.

B次元官网网址淗ow we can change the economy B次元官网网址� that we are working in to protect the environment that we need for our health, for our children, for our grandchildren,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淗ow we can do a better job of taking care of people who are less fortunate.B次元官网网址�

He said governments should stop subsidizing the B次元官网网址渙ldB次元官网网址� economy.

B次元官网网址淲e moved beyond the horse and buggy and itB次元官网网址檚 time to move beyond the internal combustion engine,B次元官网网址� Manly said, as the crowd cheered.

B次元官网网址淭hose days should be over. ItB次元官网网址檚 time to move forward.B次元官网网址�

Manly, is a researcher, a filmmaker and a communications specialist.

He was the Green partyB次元官网网址檚 candidate in 2015 in the same riding and finished fourth with 20 per cent of the vote.

The riding has been vacant since January when former New Democrat MP Sheila Malcolmson resigned the seat to run successfully in a provincial byelection in Nanaimo.

This is the third election in eight months for residents of this Vancouver Island city.

Seven candidates were in the contest, which saw five federal leaders visit the riding, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer.

The Nanaimo area has traditionally swung back and forth between New Democrat or Conservative-leaning MPB次元官网网址檚.

Dirk Meissner, The Canadian Press

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