LOCAL LIBERAL | Traditionally Conservative territory of Kelowna-Lake Country won by Liberals [A19]
Wednesday, October 21, 2015 P R O U D L Y
S E R V I N G
O U R
N O R T H
O K A N A G A N
w w w. v e r n o n m o r n i n g s t a r. c o m
C O M M U N I T I E S
F O R
2 7
Y E A R S
VERNON DODGE
1
#
Vernon
Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram
Todd Wasylik
250-545-2261
DLR #5204
Morning gStar
The
It’s Our People who Make
4607 27 ST, VERNON • VERNONDODGE.COM
Liberal sweep fails to move blue RICHARD ROLKE Morning Star Staff
North Okanagan-Shuswap has retained Tory blue while Liberal red has coloured the rest of the country. Newcomer Mel Arnold handily captured the riding as Conservative candidate Monday, winning 27,490 votes or 39.3 per cent. That was followed by Liberal Cindy Derkaz at 20,951 or 30 per cent, Jacqui Gingras, with the NDP, at 17,903 or 25.6 per cent, and Green Chris George at 3,609 or 5.2 per cent. “This is terrific,” said Arnold, a Salmon Arm businessman who takes over from retiring Colin Mayes. “It’s been a hard fought battle, I want to congratulate all the candidates. And no matter how they voted, I’m here to represent this riding.” With the Conservatives in opposition nationally, Arnold will be in the backbenches. “It will make us work a little bit harder,” he said, noting that he will lobby the new Liberal government for funding for local projects. “And I will be available to the public as soon as we have our doors open to the office.” Nationally, the Liberals won 184 seats compared to 99 for the Conservatives, 44 for the NDP, 10 seats for the Bloc Quebecois and one Green. Derkaz welcomes her second-place finish in North Okanagan-Shuswap. “I would have liked to have won but it was amazing,” said the retired lawyer. While some opinion polls had the NDP taking North Okanagan-Shuswap,
JENNIFER SMITH/MORNING STAR
Former MP Colin Mayes passes the baton to Mel Arnold as he is declared winner for the North Okanagan-Shuswap Monday evening at Arnold’s Vernon campaign office. For a video of the local Conservatives’ reaction to the collapse of their government, visit www.vernonmorningstar.com Derkaz believes many residents saw the Liberals as the best route to challenge the Conservatives.
“People had a huge attitude for change from the Harper government,” she said. In terms of the Liberal victory nation-
ally, Derkaz said, “It’s a tremendously clear message that we want change as a country and we picked the Liberals to put that change into effect.” Gingras, a university professor, admits she was disappointed by the election results. “They’re not what I hoped for but I respect their choice,” she said of voters. “It’s been a very positive campaign and I met so many great people.” Gingras wouldn’t speculate on why the NDP didn’t win locally. “That’s something we will have to dwell on. I respect the decision of community members and this is only the start for us.” She isn’t sure why the party went from official opposition status nationally to third place. “Like any campaign, there are ebbs and flows. People were motivated to have Harper out,” she said. George anticipated a fourth-place finish for the Greens in North OkanaganShuswap. “There are no surprises here. We’re looking ahead to the next time out,” he said. “I would have preferred a minority government nationally because it’s good for Canadians. It (Liberals) is going to be a change but whether it’s the change we’re looking for, that remains to be seen.” George believes Arnold’s new term as MP could be challenging. “He will be a backbencher and that doesn’t contribute much to the conversation.” In North Okanagan-Shuswap, 69,953 of 96,243 registered electors cast ballots or 72.68 per cent (that does not include electors who registered on election day).
Collapse of Tory government disappoints JENNIFER SMITH Morning Star Staff
Tensions were high in Conservative Mel Arnold’s campaign office Monday evening as a sea of red swept Canada. “It disappoints me of course, I would’ve liked to have seen a stronger showing from my counterparts in the east,” said Arnold, the North Okanagan-Shuswap’s new MP. With Stephen Harper stepping down, a new Conservative leader will be sought. “It’s his decision to make and the party will make a decision on who the new leader is and what direction we will take,” said Arnold. It was an emotional evening in the Vernon campaign office as local Conservatives watched the Liberals take over
“Obviously people wanted change.” — Colin Mayes, retiring MP federally. “I’m disappointed nationally,” said Darrel Stinson, a veteran MP locally. “But we did our job here in the constituency.” Although the results surprised Stinson he was “not terribly shocked.” Retiring MP Colin Mayes had a few tugs on his heart-
strings as he watched the results roll in. “I’ve seen a number of my colleagues that I worked with that didn’t get re-elected and I’m sad for them,” said Mayes, as his government collapsed. “I feel we did a good job as a government and obviously people wanted a change.” Mayes was a little taken aback to see the crush of orange. “I think the biggest surprise is the collapse of the NDP support, they were front runners and then all of a sudden people realized.” Although red swept the country, Mayes sees some common ground between the two leading parties. “We have different views the Conservatives and Liberals, but ultimately we agree on one thing: we don’t want socialism in this country.”
BANNISTER HONDA “A Family Business, with Family Values ”
6425 Hwy 97 N, Vernon BC • bannisterhonda.com 250-545-0531 • 888-545-0531 DL# 8718 †$3,500/$3,000 Honda cash purchase incentive is available on every 2015 Accord 2D model and select 2015 Accord 4D models (4D LX CVT, 4D Sport, 4D EX-L, 4D Touring). Honda cash purchase incentive will be deducted from the negotiated price after taxes and cannot be combined with special lease or fi nance offers. **MSRP is $28,325/$27,045 based on a new 2015 Accord 2D L4 EX 6MT CT1A7FJ/Accord 4D L4 LX CVT CR2F3FE including $1,695/$1,695 freight and PDI. Taxes, license, insurance and registration are extra. Offers valid from October 1st through November 2nd, 2015 at participating Honda retailers. Dealer may sell/lease for less. Dealer trade may be necessary on certain vehicles. Offers valid only for British Columbia residents at BC Honda Dealers locations. Offers subject to change or cancellation without notice. Terms and conditions apply. Visit www.bchonda.com or see your Honda retailer for full details. €For more information about IIHS’ Top Safety Pick award, visit http://www.iihs.org