Conservatives reclaim Calgary Heritage with byelection win
CBC
The federal Conservatives coasted to victory Monday to fill a seat left vacant after MP Bob Benzen called it quits last year.
Benzen, who was elected to represent the area in 2017, announced he would resign his seat in Calgary Heritage and return to private life at the end of last year.
Most of Calgary Heritage used to be part of the riding of Calgary Southwest, a seat held by former prime minister Stephen Harper until his retirement.
Voting stayed true to form with Shuvaloy Majumdar, a former policy adviser to Stephen Harper and former Conservative foreign minister John Baird, winning 65 per cent of the vote.
"We sent Justin Trudeau a message tonight, didn't we?" Majumdar said to loud cheers.
"I wanted to go over to Liberal headquarters to invite them to participate in our celebration here tonight. The only problem was there were no direct flights from Calgary to Beijing."
Liberal candidate Elliot Weinstein and Gurmit Bhachu of the NDP candidate were in a virtual tie for second and third with just a few polls remaining.
Voter turnout was low with just over 28 per cent of eligible voters casting ballots.
"This is seen as a safe Conservative seat," said Lori Williams, a political science professor at Calgary's Mount Royal University.
"There hasn't been a whole lot going on. It's pretty sleepy."
Majumdar said he had thousands of conversations across the riding during the campaign and Canadians are hurting.
"I've seen the hurt. I've seen the pain. I have seen the tears well up in the eyes of our neighbours. I've seen their throats choke with the pressure of their day-to-day lives. I see you. You are heard and thank you for your trust in me," he said.
He also paid tribute to his heritage.
"What an amazing thing it is that this kid born of Indian origin...could go on to serve in the highest offices of this land and now stands before you as the next Conservative member of Parliament for Calgary Heritage."
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