The people have spoken and Conservative David Yurdiga will continue to be the riding’s Member of Parliament.
Canadians voted to re-elect Liberal leader Justin Trudeau to once again be Prime Minister – however voters in Fort McMurray-Cold Lake elected to keep things blue.
The Liberal’s earned a minority government, building off their majority win in 2015.
Locally, Yurdiga received over 78 per cent of the vote.
Speaking from his Cold Lake campaign party, Yurdiga says he’s ecstatic with the local results.
“My head is spinning right now,” Yurdiga said. “Lots of excitement going on over here. One thing I can say is I appreciate everyone who came out and supported me. I don’t take that for granted.”
Yurdiga has represented the region in Ottawa since winning a by-election in 2014 to fill the position left vacant by Brian Jean.
In the 2015 federal election, he received around 60 per cent of the votes.
This is the most supporters we’ve seen at one time here at @DavidYurdiga campaign party. #rmwb #ymm pic.twitter.com/vykIUb6BC2
— MIX 103.7 News (@Mix1037FMNews) October 22, 2019
Now that he’s headed back to Ottawa, Yurdiga says his main priority will be bringing jobs back to the riding.
“Whatever those jobs may be does not make a difference. Whether it’s new technology, green energy, whatever it is. We have to start creating more jobs for residents here in Fort McMurray-Cold Lake.”
Meanwhile, Liberal candidate Maggie Farrington came in second, followed by the NDP’s Matthew Gilks, with Matthew Barrett of the People’s Party of Canada coming in fourth and the Green Party’s Brian Deheer rounding out the ballot.
After seeing the numbers pour in, Farrington says despite local results, she’s happy with how it turned out.
“It shows there’s a lot of passion all across Canada for making sure the government is all about its people and making people and the future the real priority.”
This was Farrington’s first time running in any form of election.
The Liberal Party’s Maggie Farrington. Photo courtesy: Vince McDermott//Fort McMurray Today
Even with personal attacks throughout the campaign, she notes it was a very rewarding experience.
“It’s been exciting to put my name forward and to really see there’s a strong, undercurrent of support here that wants to disrupt the conservatives status quo.”
As to whether she’ll run again, she’s going to wait before deciding.
“I just want to relish in our success tonight and that we have re-started a movement forward. With a Liberal minority, who knows how long the government will last, so I’ll be watching it closely.”
As for working with the Liberals in Parliament, Yurdiga notes current legislation that already has Alberta backed into a corner – however, he says Albertans can rest assured they will be heard.
“We’ve seen Bill C-69 come under Liberal law and C-48 which actually hurts all Albertans. So, moving forward with the Liberal minority, we have to work closely with every member of Parliament to ensure Alberta is not looked over.”
Fort McMurray-Cold Lake covers Alberta’s northeast and includes the RMWB, city of Cold Lake, Lac La Biche County, Canadian Forces Base Cold Lake and most of the Athabasca oil sands area.
-With files from Brandon Piper