Former health minister Jane Philpott defeated by Liberal Helena Jaczek in Markham-Stouffville

Former health minister Jane Philpott — who made headlines when she was forced out of the Liberal caucus amid the SNC Lavalin affair — was defeated in the riding of Markham-Stouffville Monday night. 

Former Ontario health minister Helena Jaczek, who like Philpott is a physician, won the riding for the federal Liberals.

Philpott, who resigned from her cabinet post and voiced her support for Jody Wilson-Raybould in her dispute with Justin Trudeau over prosecuting the Quebec-based engineering firm, finished third. She had been running for re-election as an independent MP in the riding north of Toronto.

Conservative candidate Theodore Antony ended up second place.

"We are here to celebrate an exceptional independent campaign," a tearful Philpott told a room of cheering supporters after the loss.

"Thank you to the people of Markham-Stouffville for giving me the incredible privilege of representing them for the past four years in Ottawa. We ran a campaign based on optimism. We believe politics can be better, can be more collaborative, more inclusive and more creative."

Jaczek took 37.2 per cent of the popular vote, followed by Antony who took 30.6 per cent. Philpott came in at 22.5 per cent.

The swing riding of roughly 90,000 potential voters has historically bounced back and forth between the Liberals and the Conservatives.

As a Liberal, Philpott narrowly won the seat in 2015.

After her resignation, her candidacy raised questions as to whether voters who supported her in the past would choose her as an independent candidate over either of the two major parties.