Liberal candidate Cindy Derkaz may not have won the riding, but her party made historic strides, coming from third-place to winning a majority government.
“I’m thrilled. I know the country was ready for a change and it’s a great night to be a Liberal,” she said from her Vernon campaign office.
“It’s a tremendously clear message that we want change as a country and we picked the Liberals to put that change into effect.”
And to those who doubted that Justin Trudeau was prepared to be Prime Minister:
“I always thought Justin was ready, that’s why I threw my life into chaos. He’s an amazing leader. He’s so inclusive and collaborative and I think that bodes very well. Everybody that will be in caucus will have a voice at that table, I’m confident of that.”
While Derkaz was initially in third place in the local polls, she overtook NDP challenger Jacqui Gingras, but could not catch the momentum of Conservative Mel Arnold.
Since its creation prior to 1979, the riding including Vernon, Sicamous and Salmon Arm has elected right-wing candidates in all but one federal election.