Election Update

Staff, Kings County Advertiser

Transcontinental Media

NovaNewsNow.com

There were no surprises once the votes at 215 polling stations in Kings-Hants were tallied in Tuesday’s federal election.

Liberal incumbent Scott Brison was the winner, compiling 16,643 votes and easily outdistancing runner-up Conservative Rosemary Segado, who received 9,847.

Brison captured 44.2 per cent of the vote, which was down from his total in 2006. He earned 19,941 votes then and had 45.55 per cent of the votes.

Carol Harris of the NDP was third with 8,290 votes and Green candidate Brendan MacNeill was next with 2,353. Christian Heritage Party candidate Jim Hnatiuk rounded out the ballot with 528 votes.

Never prouder: Brison

Brison said Tuesday’s election win was “my tie-breaker.” The people of Kings-Hants had elected him previously: twice as a Progressive Conservative and twice as a Liberal.

“I’ve always been proud of the people of Kings-Hants and I’ve never been prouder than tonight,” Brison told his supporters at the Old Orchard Inn.

Word came early via a CTV broadcast, shortly after 9 p.m., that Brison was the projected winner with just over 1,000 votes, twice those of his closest opponent.

The celebration began and Brison told supporters the voters of Kings-Hants “have chosen hope over fear, ideas over personal attacks. We can only hope the rest of Canada does the same.” Brison said he was “very happy and, at the same time, very humbled” by the result.

“I always work hard at election time,” he said, “but I’d like to think I work hard between elections, too, working for the people in Kings-Hants.”

Segado upbeat in defeat

The results certainly weren’t what she had hoped for, but Segado said she was ecstatic over the effort that went into the campaign. She gave an enthusiastic and animated thanks to her supporters and campaign workers on election night.

When asked by The Kings County Advertiser if she would run again, Segado said, “I’m going to enjoy tonight, giving hugs to my supporters, and think about tomorrow, tomorrow.”

In preparing the group for Segado’s arrival at about 10:30 p.m., former candidate Dr. Bob Mullan said Segado was “a fabulous candidate, a hard worker. She did a tremendous job and we have nothing to be ashamed of with this outcome.”

Period of reflection for Harris

Harris said she enjoyed meeting people on doorsteps in Kings-Hants. "I think it made a difference in the places I could get out to. This is a huge area and it was a tremendous learning experience."

She was hopeful on election night that NDP numbers in the riding were up compared to 2006, but was looking forward to a period of reflection when all the polling information came in.

In fact, the numbers were comparable and the NDP gained a greater percentage of votes this time around. Mary DeWolfe captured 8,138 and 19.02 per cent of the votes in 2006. Harris’s numbers were slightly higher, including 22 per cent of the votes.

"I know there was a big Green vote in Wolfville despite what looks like increases for the NDP nationally." Harris added she was a little surprised that the appointed Conservative candidate did as well as she did.

Having run previously in British Columbia, Harris said she will continue to have a national focus and intends to keep building on the NDP foundation in Kings-Hants.

Really seen a change: MacNeill

Watching the election results roll in from his campaign headquarters set up in his home in Wolfville, MacNeill said that once Green MPs start to get elected, the public would see the party’s full potential and start looking for more transparent, accountable government.

The party’s change in leadership to Elizabeth May has taken it from a stance where they hoped their ideas would be adopted by the established parties to a situation where they are now talking about getting MPs elected.

“We’ve really seen a change since the 2006 election,” MacNeill said, pointing out the 2006 federal election was when the environment came out on top as the number-one issue of concern with the Canadian public. “With the global economic crisis, the environment is still probably number one and it will continue to be a big issue.”

MacNeill said he enjoyed getting to visit with voters on their doorsteps, over the phone and electronically. He was surprised at the number of e-mails he received, and hearing from the public has given him a great grasp of what the issues are for Canadians.

Whether they turned out to vote for him or not, MacNeill said he can see himself seeking election again and, if so, he said the flag he flies would be green.