Liberal Doug Eyolfson defeats incumbent Steven Fletcher in Charleswood

"What have I done?" joked Liberal Doug Eyolfson as he greeted Charleswood-St. James-Assiniboia-Headingley supporters after winning the riding Monday night.

As of midnight, with 171 of 180 polls reporting, Eyolfson led by 5,891 votes over Conservative incumbent Steven Fletcher.

Eyolfson thanked Fletcher for his "years of dedicated service to the people of this riding," adding he took a call from the incumbent in the moments after the win.

"He was gracious; he offered to meet with me, to help me with the transition, to tell me some things I need to know," said Eyolfson.

​"We had a very strong campaign," Fletcher said. "I've had many successes as a member of Parliament, and I appreciate the opportunity to represent the great riding of Charleswood-St. James-Assiniboia-Headingley."

​'You just have to accept it'

Helen and Robert McCormick, Conservative supporters through and through, said they are both disappointed to see Fletcher ousted.

"I guess you just have to accept it, but at the same token, do you think I will congratulate the Liberals? No," Helen said, adding she has voted for the Tories in every election since she was eligible to vote.

"I was really hoping the Conservatives would be higher to the top, finish with more seats."

Fletcher spoke to supporters about how he thinks the Conservative government improved the political process and economic landscape in Canada over the last decade.

"The new rules have improved our democracy and the Liberals will have to deal with that reality, and the reality that Canadians are in a great financial position — especially relative to the rest of the world. Our taxes are the lowest since Diefenbaker," he said.

RAW: Conservatives to thank for Canada's 'great financial position,' Fletcher says after loss

9 years ago

Duration 1:26

Steven Fletcher spoke to supporters about how he thinks the Conservative government improved the political process and economic landscape in Canada over the last decade. Fletcher lost his Charleswood riding to Liberal Doug Eyolfson.

"We do live in the best country in the world, at the best time in human history to be alive, and we owe that to the generations that have come before us. In the last 10 years, we have made Canada better."

Fletcher didn't mention what lies ahead for him.

"Right now I'll ride into the sunset and reflect on the many blessings I have as a Canadian."

Tory stronghold goes red

A Conservative stronghold — with its various names and boundaries — the Charleswood–St. James–Assiniboia–​Headingley riding has been Tory blue for the past decade.

From its creation in 1996 as Charleswood–Assiniboine until 2004, when it was known as Charleswood–St. James, the riding was held by the Liberal Party.

Since then, however, it has been a Conservative seat, but more specifically, Steven Fletcher's seat. Through four elections — 2004, 2006, 2008, 2011 — he increased his vote total every time.

This time around, voters in the riding had their choice among the following candidates:​

• Eyolfson, Liberal Party;
• Tom Paulley, New Democratic Party;
• Fletcher, Conservative Party; and
• Kevin Nichols, Green Party.

In 2004, Fletcher received 18,688 votes, which was 44.3 per cent of the vote share. In 2011, he took in 23,264 votes (57.5 per cent).

Paulley, who also ran in 2011, placed second that year with 8,134 votes (20 per cent). He was a late replacement this time around after the original NDP candidate, Stefan Jonasson, was asked to step down, something that probably helped the Liberals gain votes. 

The decision came after the publication of comments Jonasson made in 2012, comparing an ultra-Orthodox Jewish group to the Taliban.

Back in 2011, the Liberals placed third in the riding, with candidate Rob Clement just behind the NDP. Clement pulled in 7,433 votes (18 per cent) while the Green Party's Denali Enns had 1,587 votes (four per cent).

The riding had a high voter turnout of 65 per cent in 2011.