John Barlow
Voters in the Foothills riding opted for the status quo Monday, electing Conservative incumbent John Barlow.
“It is an absolute honour to represent you,” Barlow said, thanking his supporters. “The national results are obviously not what we hoped for, but I know we will roll up our sleeves and get to work for what is best for Canada.”
Canada also chose the status quo, electing a Liberal minority government with 168 seats in Parliament compared to 144 for the Conservatives. The Bloc Quebecois won 23 seats, the New Democrats won just seven and the Green Party were elected in one riding.
The Liberals, led by new leader Mark Carney, received 8,367,683 votes or 43.5 per cent of the national total while the Conservatives under Pierre Poilievre received 7,950,552 votes or 41.4 per cent of the total.
“I chose to enter politics because I felt we need big change for this country — big change guided by strong Canadian values,” Carney said, listing humility, ambition and unity. “It’s Canada after all. These are Canadian values.”
Carney thanked candidates from all parties.
“Thank you for standing up for Canada at this critical time,” Carney said. “And to those who were elected — particularly those Liberals who were elected — I’m looking forward to working together for Canadians.”
Turn-out for the election across Canada was about 70 per cent, higher than two previous elections and close to the mark reached in 2015.
In the Foothills riding, Barlow earned 54,115 votes or 76.5 per cent of the total. Liberal John Bruinsma was second with 13,361 votes or 18.9 per cent. New Democrat Kaitte Aurora was a distant third, receiving just 2.7 per cent or 1,894 votes. Paul O’Halloran of the People’s Party of Canada received 789 votes, or 1.1 per cent, and the Green Party’s Emma Hoburg got 610 or 0.9 per cent.
A total of 70,769 of 95,225 registered electors, or 74.32 per cent, voted in the Foothills constituency.
Barlow’s Conservative colleagues also fared well in Alberta, winning 34 ridings as they received 1,400,811 votes or 63.6 per cent of the total cast. Turn-out in Alberta was just over 68 per cent of the eligible voters. The Liberals won two seats in Alberta and the NDP won one.
Conservative leader Poilievre did nt fare as well, failing to be re-elected. He pledged to keep working.
“It will be an honour to continue to try and restore the promise of Canada that anyone who works hard can have an affordable home in a safe community,” Poilievre said.
New Democrat leader Jagmeet Singh, who was not re-elected said he will step down as leader.
“Obviously I’m disappointed we could not win more seats tonight,” Singh said. “I’m not disappointed in our movement. I’m hopeful for our party. I know that we will always choose hope over fear and optimism over despair.”
