Liberals keep hold of Ottawa–​Vanier with convincing win

Nathalie Des Rosiers gives Liberals a 14th consecutive victory in riding

Image | Meilleur, Des Rosiers, Wynne

Caption: Former Ottawa–​Vanier MPP Madeleine Meilleur, left, congratulates Nathalie Des Rosiers on her victory as Premier Kathleen Wynne looks on. (Olivier Plante/CBC)

Residents in Ottawa–​Vanier stood by the Liberals yet again, with candidate Nathalie Des Rosiers scoring a clear and decisive victory in Thursday night's byelection.
Ottawa–​Vanier headed to the polls Thursday in a provincial byelection seen as a referendum on the party's performance in the province.
But with all 265 polls reporting, Des Rosiers had 48.56 per cent of the popular vote and 5,655 votes more than her nearest competitor, Progressive Conservative André Marin.

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Des Rosiers thanked longtime MPP Madeleine Meilleur, who was at her celebration and whose retirement in July triggered the byelection.

Image | Nathalie Des Rosiers, Kathleen Wynne

Caption: Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne, right, celebrates with Nathalie Des Rosiers after Des Rosiers's victory. (Olivier Plante/Radio-Canada)

"I have huge, big, red shoes to fill, but I have been inspired by the work Madeleine has done and I promise to try to do my best to replace her," said Des Rosiers.
Kathleen Wynne said Des Rosiers, the University of Ottawa's law school dean, would fight in Queen's Park for equality for women, child care and a fair and inclusive society.

Progressive Conservatives disappointed

PC MPP Lisa MacLeod was supporting Marin tonight and was optimistic until the results arrived.
"It was a big machine, a tall order, but I think we can hold our head high," said McLeod.
The urban riding, which is made up of a range of communities including the ByWard Market, Sandy Hill, Overbrook and parts of Gloucester, had elected a Liberal in 13 straight previous elections dating back to 1971.
You can review our live blog as the election results came in(external link).

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11 candidates ran

There were 11 candidates running in Ottawa–​Vanier.
Candidates included:
  • Claude Bisson, New Democratic Party of Ontario.
  • Kevin Clarke, The Peoples Political Party.
  • Elizabeth de Viel Castel, Stop the New Sex-Ed Agenda.
  • Nathalie Des Rosiers, Ontario Liberal Party.
  • Dean T. Harris, Ontario Libertarian Party.
  • André Marin, Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario.
  • Stephanie McEvoy, Canadian Constituents' Party.
  • David McGruer, Freedom Party of Ontario.
  • Raphaël Morin, Green Party of Ontario.
  • John Turmel, Pauper Party of Ontario.
  • Above Znoneofthe, None of the Above Party.