The orange wave swept over Esquimalt-Juan de Fuca as Randall Garrison helped add to the federal NDPB次元官网网址檚 sweeping gains across Canada.
A third-time candidate, Garrison came out 379 votes ahead of Conservative Troy DeSouza, also his third campaign, in another roller coaster contest. At the end of the night, it was GarrisonB次元官网网址檚 26,121 votes to DeSouzaB次元官网网址檚 25,742.
The NDP crowd roared as Garrison was declared winner. He approached the podium unfolding a speech from his jacket pocked.
B次元官网网址淚 only wrote one speech tonight, and it turned out to be the right one,B次元官网网址� he remarked smiling.
B次元官网网址淔or the NDP nationally, IB次元官网网址檓 really proud of the positive campaign that we ranB次元官网网址攁nd a positive approach is what IB次元官网网址檓 planning to take with me to Ottawa.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 bitter sweet tonight: Sweet to win here, sweet at the national level for the NDPB次元官网网址� a little bitter with the Tory majority B次元官网网址� but theyB次元官网网址檙e going to have to listen to the message of what happened tonight.B次元官网网址�
Nationally the Conservatives swept to a clear majority with 167 seats. The NDP gained 67 seats for 107 and the Liberals suffered a collapse to 34 seats.
Garrison, an Esquimalt municipal councillor, said the NDP message resonates with voters: Protecting and improving public health care, helping families make ends meet with affordable childcare, B次元官网网址渟hips before jets, we need to keep jobs in our shipyardsB次元官网网址� support for veterans, B次元官网网址渨hen we bring our troops home from Afghanistan we need to give them all the support they deserve.B次元官网网址�
DeSouza admitted he was disappointed not to be joining Prime Minister Stephen HarperB次元官网网址檚 majority in Ottawa.
B次元官网网址淲e didnB次元官网网址檛 get the result we had hoped for tonight,B次元官网网址� DeSouza said to roaring supporters. B次元官网网址淏ut whatB次元官网网址檚 good for the country is a stable majority Conservative government. I feel confident we are in good hands with our leader Stephen Harper.B次元官网网址�
DeSouza said itB次元官网网址檚 too early to say if heB次元官网网址檇 give Esquimalt-JDF a fourth shot. The collapse of the Liberals and the rise of the NDP certainly influenced his fortunes in MondayB次元官网网址檚 vote, he said.
While Garrison was careful to avoid attacking his opponents platforms, JDF MLA John Horgan (NDP) said DeSouza wasnB次元官网网址檛 offering a broad enough campaign.
B次元官网网址淭roy couldn't come up with a second key on his piano,B次元官网网址� Horgan said, referencing the Conservative candidateB次元官网网址檚 focus on an interchange at McKenzie Avenue. B次元官网网址淩andallB次元官网网址檚 campaignB次元官网网址攖alking about sustainable transportation, supporting familiesB次元官网网址攕peaks to whatB次元官网网址檚 important to this community ... HeB次元官网网址檒l work across party lines bringing these issues to Ottawa.B次元官网网址�
Some West Shore municipal leaders, eager for an MP within the ruling party, were disappointed at DeSouzaB次元官网网址檚 loss.
Langford Mayor Stew Young said even as a private citizen, DeSouza opened doors to Conservative cabinet ministers and was instrumental in helping the city field millions in federal infrastructure grants.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 an orange sweep, itB次元官网网址檚 a tough race,B次元官网网址� Young said. B次元官网网址淭his is traditionally NDP territory (provincially). ItB次元官网网址檚 a tough riding.
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 glad the NDP took out the separatists,B次元官网网址� Young added. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 the best thing theyB次元官网网址檝e done for Canada.B次元官网网址�
Liberal candidate Lillian Szpak came in a distant third with 6,409 votes after a dramatic drop in Liberal support across the country.
Szpak, a Langford councillor, said she is not taking the loss personally, but more as a message to the Liberal party itself.
B次元官网网址淲e are part of a sweep going across the country,B次元官网网址� Szpak said. B次元官网网址淚 thinks itB次元官网网址檚 two extremes, very right and very left.B次元官网网址�
Szpak will run in the municipal election this November to keep her seat at Langford council.
B次元官网网址淢unicipally you run as an individual, federally you run as an individual with a party,B次元官网网址� Szpak said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a much larger campaign. I am thankful for my municipal experience.B次元官网网址�
editor@goldstreamgazette.com
