Conservative candidate Shannon Stubbs is ready to continue to serve the Lakeland as MP.
Stubbs received close to 84 per cent of votes in the Lakeland riding during the federal election on Monday, Oct. 21.
Following the win, Stubbs told the Nouvelle she was ecstatic to be re-elected.
“I’ve been proud to represent Lakeland in Ottawa in the last four years, and I’m excited and honoured that they’ve given me the job to do that again. I’m up to it, and can’t wait to get going,” she exclaimed.
Stubbs was overwhelmed with the support she received during the election.
With a successful campaign behind her, Stubbs said she’s ready to head back to Ottawa.
“I’m going to keep fighting on pipelines, oil and gas jobs, for tax relief, cutting the carbon tax, and advocating on rural crime, because I made that a very high priority over the last couple of years for myself and trying to get it on the national agenda. I’ll continue to be a voice for all of those issues when we get back at it.”
The unofficial results had 57,776 out of 78,525 eligible voters casting their ballots throughout the Lakeland riding.
There were six other candidates vying for votes, including Libertarian Robert McFadzean, Roberta Graham with the Veterans Coalition Party, the Green Party’s Kira Brunner, NDP candidate Jeffrey Swanson, People’s Party of Canada Alain Houle, and Liberal Mark Watson.
Stubbs offered her congratulations to her fellow candidates, and was glad to see a number of names on the ballot.
“I think it’s a good thing. Regardless of the fact that I was hoping to earn the confidence of the people a second time, it’s important people have alternatives, they have choices, and they participate,” she noted.
The federal results have a Liberal minority government with 156 seats, and party leader Justin Trudeau was re-elected as prime minister. The Conservatives form the official opposition with 122 seats, 32 seats for the Bloc Quebecois, the NDP finished with 24, and four fell under the other category.
Conservative candidates took 33 of 34 ridings in Alberta, a result Stubbs sees as a clear message to the Liberal government.
“(Voters) wanted to send a loud and strong message that they wanted change in the direction of the country, and that they have Conservative values and principles,” she expressed.
Local leaders wary of federal results
Although there’s apprehension surrounding the federal results, local representatives were pleased to see Stubbs re-elected.
Town of Bonnyville Mayor Gene Sobolewski wasn’t surprised when the numbers were announced on election night.
“Within the first 30 seconds of the results coming in, you knew that she was going to triumph again,” he exclaimed. “It’s phenomenal, because she represents the area very well in Ottawa. She’s been fighting for the cause, and I’m ecstatic that she’s back in.”
The concerns of local residents regarding the Liberal minority government echoed those expressed by their municipal leaders.
“My phone was ringing off the hook from residents who were concerned, and I had a number of businesses call me as well,” noted MD of Bonnyville Reeve Greg Sawchuk.
One of the worries Sawchuk heard from constituents was regarding the Conservatives being the official opposition.
“We know that when your representative is in opposition, it’s hard to not go political on anything you’re trying to put forward. It’s sometimes hard to get any action,” he explained.
With the results in mind, Stubbs believes “there’s going to be a lot of challenging and complicated days ahead.”
Representing the Lakeland and ensuring their voices are heard is a top priority for Stubbs when she heads back to Ottawa.
“I have my marching orders loud and clear that I have to go back, keep working hard, day-in and day-out, kick butt, and fight for all of us.”
