Despite a Liberal majority for Canada, North Okanagan-Shuswap Conservative candidate Mel Arnold held the traditionally Tory riding Monday night.
“This is terrific,” said Arnold in his campaign office, after being passed the baton from outgoing Conservative MP Colin Mayes. “It’s been a hard fought battle, I want to congratulate all the candidates.
“And no matter how they voted, I’m here to represent this riding.”
With Stephen Harper out, Arnold is left holding an opposition position.
Although disappointed in that result, Arnold says: “It will make us work a little bit harder.”
Arnold, a Salmon Arm businessman, hopes the results are not a case of east versus west.
And he doesn’t believe strategic voting came into play much in this riding.
What he does know is that he will be working hard for his constituents.
“I plan to continue to bring funding to the riding as Colin has.
“And I will be available to the public as soon as we have our doors open to the office.”