It was a better showing for the NDP locally in this federal election than they’ve had in years but in the end, it wasn’t enough to move them out of the third-place position they’ve been stuck in locally for the past decade.
With 233 of 234 polls reporting, the NDP have 8,849 votes, or 17 percent of the vote, while the Liberal candidate Jovanie Nicoyishakiye finished with 11,266, or 22 percent of the vote.
That Liberal showing was down from the 30 percent share they secured locally in the last federal election and the lowest by percentage since 2011, when they earned just 11.5 percent of the vote and finished third locally. On the flip side, the NDP showing was the best since that same 2011 election, when the NDP secured 24 percent of the vote and finished second behind Conservative Tony Clement.
Hay congratulated Conservative MP-elect Scott Aitchison, who received 48 per cent of the vote, as well as the other candidates for stepping forward to run. She also thanked the members of the public who voted.
“Parry Sound-Muskoka is a beautiful part of the planet and it has been a gift to travel through it and meet so many interesting folks,” said Hay, who is also the coordinator for Elder Abuse Prevention Muskoka. “I am so proud of our amazing team and the gains we have made here in Muskoka – your dedication made this campaign positive, professional and fun.”
Hay is also the former president of Fierté Canada Pride, the national association of Canadian Pride organizations, and said the fight for visibility will continue to be her top priority.
“The last email I read before calling it a night was from a young member of the 2SLGBTQ community in a remote area of the riding – thanking me for running,” she says. “It was an important reminder of why visibility matters.”
Don’t miss out on Doppler!
Sign up here to receive our email digest with links to our most recent stories.
Local news in your inbox so you don’t miss anything!
Click here to support local news
Join the discussion: