Tuesday night saw change in our neck of the woods as Conservative John Weston reclaimed the seat for West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country once held by John Reynolds. Following his election night loss to Blair Wilson in 2006, Weston never stopped campaigning. It's probably one of the reasons why he was elected overwhelmingly this time with almost 45 per cent of the popular vote.
Thanks to the Conservatives winning another minority government, albeit this time a much stronger minority, and the fact that for the first time in over 20 years we have elected a member of Parliament with the government in power, these factors should translate into more funding, better programs and services for the whole riding.
In his acceptance speech, Weston said his campaign was based on honesty and humility and was of good humour and full of energy and ideas. We hope he was genuine in those statements and brings those qualities and traits with him to Ottawa. We need an MP who will stand up for everyone in this riding, and we hope Weston is that person.
We'd be remiss to not offer our thanks and congratulations to the other three candidates. All of them ran strong campaigns, and whether or not you liked their messages or liked them as a person, you have to respect them all for standing up and running for political office.
We'd also like to point out and congratulate all who voted and showed the rest of the country how important it is to exercise your right to vote. Voter turnout was strong with an almost 64 per cent turnout - higher than the 59 per cent turnout nationally.
And we're not done yet with the election fun. As the door slams shut on the federal election, another one opens for the municipal election.
Coast Reporter continues its preliminary coverage this week with the final candidates list for all our local governments. Next week we kick off our candidate profiles, which will take us right up to election day on Nov. 15.
This municipal election is one of the most important the Coast has ever faced. We implore all residents to show the same interest and excitement you did in the federal campaign in the municipal campaign and vote on Nov. 15.
