 | It was commonly felt that Lauzon would retain his seat, but few predicted that he would widen the vote difference. Lauzon garnered 29,438 votes, which was 20,930 votes ahead of Liberal Bernadette Clement. In fact, if you combined the results of the four other candidates in 2011, Lauzon still topped that combined number by over 11,400 votes. | |
Cornwall - May. 3, 2011 - Today, Canadians woke up to a Conservative majority government lead by Stephen Harper. Last night, Bloc Quebecois Leader Gilles Duceppe announced that he was resigning as Party Leader. This morning, Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff also indicated that he will be stepping down as the head of his party.
For many local residents, the spread that propelled incumbent Conservative MP Guy Lauzon to victory in the riding of Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry was somewhat surprising. It was commonly felt that Lauzon would retain his seat, but few predicted that he would widen the vote difference. Lauzon garnered 29,438 votes, which was 20,930 votes ahead of Liberal Bernadette Clement. In fact, if you combined the results of the four other candidates in 2011, Lauzon still topped that combined number by over 11,400 votes.
Lauzon becomes the first Conservative to win the Federal seat in this area over four consecutive elections. Lauzon established a high-water mark for himself and his party, both in the number of votes received (29,438) and the percentage of the popular vote (62.0%). He has now successfully widened his margin of victory in each of the last four elections.
The Liberals have seen their vote total drop each and every election for the last six campaigns. In 1997, current Cornwall Mayor Bob Kilger was elected with 22,857 votes. In 2000, Kilger was re-elected with 19,113 and in 2004 was defeated with 17,779 votes. In 2006, Tom Manley received 13,906 and in 2008 Denis Sabourin garnered 8,554. The 2011 election will be remembered as the Liberals worst ever federal election, both in seats and in vote count. Unfortunately for Clement, she wears some of the national result and as such posted the Liberals worst showing in the last six elections with 8,508 votes.
Mario Leclerc and the New Democratic Party have to be pleased with their result both locally and nationally. While it is disappointing to lose, Leclerc posted the highest NDP vote total of the last six elections with 8,313. For much of the night, he was running in second place behind Lauzon. Previous NDP results include: Darlene Jalbert - 2008 (6,107), Elaine MacDonald - 2006 (6,892), Elaine MacDonald - 2004, Kimberley Fry - 2000 (1,696) and Syd Gardiner - 1997 (2,671).
The Green Party may have elected their first Member of Parliament in 2011, but locally it was their worst showing in the last four campaigns. Wyatt Walsh only managed to garner 2.2% of the vote with 1,040. This result is down from the Green’s high of 7.2% and 3,491 votes when Tom Manley carried their banner in 2004. Other Green Party results include: David Rawnsley - 2008 (1,880) and Doug Beards - 2006 (1,713).
With six elections in the last 14 years and four elections in the last seven, Canadian voters are now not expected to return to the polls until October 2015. Now that the Federal Election is over, focus can be turned to the Ontario Provincial Election. Ontarians go to the polls on Thursday October 6, 2011.
Below is a table of results for this riding over the last six elections. (Source - Elections Canada)
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