In a region that rarely sees surprises on election night, Chandra Pasma and the NDP made big surprises in Ottawa’s West Nepian, one that has been under preparation for four years.
Pasma defeated progressive Conservative Jeremy Roberts by nearly 900 votes to win a surprise victory for the New Democrats and join re-elected Ottawa Center MP Joel Harden as part of the official opposition.
“It feels amazing, we are celebrating a great achievement tonight, it was a lot of work and a lot of perseverance, but it really paid off,” Pasma said at his election party on Thursday night at Barley Mow on Merivale Road.
Four years ago, she lost to Roberts by just 175 votes, something she said provided a “spark of hope and confidence.”
“We have worked hard to build on this with patience and perseverance for four years,” she said.
Progressive Conservative Goldie Gamari was re-elected to her seat in Carlton. She joins leader Doug Ford and his majority government, which will return to Queen’s Park. (Krystalle Ramlakhan / CBC)
Computers keep in other riding
In the first elections in Ontario since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the electoral map in and around the nation’s capital had relatively few other changes.
After more than two years of uncertainty and unrest, most voters decided to stick with the politicians and parties they elected in 2018.
Doug Ford and his progressive conservatives increased their majority in Queen’s Park and kept their other seats in Ottawa.
In Kanata-Carlton, Merily Fullerton was re-elected. Goldie Gamari of Carlton is also in place and already knows what he wants to focus on when he returns to the legislature.
“I want to see more schools built, more infrastructure. To continue to be a strong voice for the people of Carlton, “Gamari said at his party to win the Manotic Legion.
Lisa McLeod, an MP for the past 16 years and part of Ford’s cabinet, was re-elected in Nepian. But McLeod, who has faced criticism from her own party leader for the housing allowance she received from her riding association, has not allowed the media to hear her acceptance speech.
Here’s a picture outside pic.twitter.com/rn1UZvj3HK
– @ DCFraser
The NDP is looking for a new leadership
Pasma joins Joel Harden as NDP representatives, but they will do so without party leader Andrea Horvat, who announced her resignation Thursday night.
“I want to congratulate Andrea for leading us four times in four election campaigns,” Harden said. “I think we need a change in leadership.
Pasma said she would advocate for issues she heard during the campaign.
“Housing and affordability,” Pasma said. “The NDP had a really strong platform on these two issues.”
‘We did it!’ Chandra Pasma is celebrating with supporters after taking Ottawa West Nepian for the NDP. Pasma narrowly loses to current President Jeremy Roberts in 2018 (Matthew Kupfer / CBC)
Liberals win in Kingston
Liberals Stephen Blaise in Orleans, John Fraser in South Ottawa and Lucille Collard in Ottawa-Vanier retained their seats, but their party leader, Stephen Del Duca, was the second to resign tonight.
“It’s not what we were hoping for. It is not the message we received from the Ontarians. So we need to understand again what happened, why it happened and how we move forward, “Collard said.
Ted Hsu, who left federal politics as an MP from Kingston and the Islands in 2014, was elected MPP for the ride, which was previously led by Ian Arthur of the NDP.
John Fraser celebrates his victory in Ottawa South on election night in Ottawa on June 2, 2022 (Dan Taekema / CBC)
Computers get two seats, two new members
In Lanark-Frontenac-Kingston, the controversial, independent MP Randy Hillier did not ask for re-election and will be replaced by John Jordan of the Progressive Conservative.
And Stefan Sarazin won the Glengarry-Prescott-Russell ride from liberal Amanda Simard. She ran and won as a candidate for the PC in the 2018 elections, but later that year left the party and joined the Liberals.
“I think people wanted someone with a strong voice in Toronto, and I had to offer that,” Sarazin said after his victory. “It was not easy for the Ford government with COVID and everything that happened took another four years to show what they can do.
Three long-time progressive conservative MPPs have retained their seats in other parts of eastern Ontario.
Steve Clark, representing the thousand Leeds-Grenville Islands and the Rideau Lakes and a cabinet minister at Doug Ford, retained his seat, as did John Jacobuski, re-elected at Renfrew-Nipings-Pembroke. Todd Smith will soon begin his fourth term at Bay of Quinte.
Two newly elected members will continue to represent personal computers: Nolan Quinn will take over in Stormont-Dundas-South Glengary and Rick Breeze will take a seat in Hastings-Lennox-Addington.
Add Comment