'Unprecedented territory': Major labour shift at polls as blue-collar goes Tory blue
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In a Canadian election often dominated by U.S. politics, the Liberal Party of Canada scored a historic comeback on Monday with Prime Minister Mark Carney — leader of a party written off as a sure loser — winning a fourth government mandate.
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But an equally historic turn occurred in Windsor-Essex, where the Conservative Party of Canada swept every riding, a modern-day first, including the defeat of two incumbents.
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In a major border battleground victory, Conservative Harb Gill won Windsor West over longtime NDP incumbent Brian Masse, who fell to third place after holding a seemingly unshakeable grip in the riding since 2002.
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The Conservatives also appear to have taken Windsor-Tecumseh-Lakeshore from Liberal incumbent Irek Kusmierczyk, who helped bring a potentially unprecedented amount of funding and investment to the local region during his two terms as MP. The official vote was not yet certain Tuesday morning, however, in a close race.
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'For Windsor to flip blue is quite something,' said University of Windsor political scientist Lydia Miljan.
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'It does show that the Conservative strategy of gunning for blue-collar support and for union support paid off, especially in Windsor, and some Hamilton ridings as well.
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'Clearly, they were speaking to people where they lived. They were focused on economic issues, and people were feeling the cost of living. I think their strategy and timing played very well for them, in this region at least.'
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'Tonight, you made history. You chose hope over fear, opportunity over division, and a fresh start for our community. Tonight, you chose change.
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'I am incredibly honoured and grateful for the trust you placed in me.'
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Masse's loss after 23 years was part of an epic unraveling for the NDP. Leader Jagmeet Singh stepped down early Tuesday after losing his own British Columbia seat — and party status in the House of Commons.
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'I have zero regrets about anything that took place,' said Masse. 'I have nothing but admiration and great experiences and fond memories, even during a loss.
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'The result isn't what we wanted tonight, but that's okay. That's our democracy, and I accept the results.'
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The hotly contested race in Windsor-Tecumseh-Lakeshore was too close to call until after midnight. But Conservative Kathy Borrelli apparently unseated Liberal Irek Kusmierczyk, who had represented the riding since 2019.
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Winnipeg Free Press
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an hour ago
- Global News
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