Liberal Tim Louis elected in Kitchener-Conestoga, says Elections Canada

Liberal Tim Louis has ousted long-time MP for Kitchener-Conestoga Harold Albrecht.

Elections Canada confirmed to CBC Kitchener-Waterloo Louis won the election by 305 votes over Albrecht.

The final polls were reported by Elections Canada Tuesday afternoon after a deputy returning officer took home paperwork that was meant to be turned in to the returning officer. The paperwork is a summary of the votes from the four polls.

Whilethe ballot boxes were sent back to the returning office, the paperwork is needed to tell the returning officer the results of each poll.

The race was a tight one, with both Louis and Albrecht taking, losing and retaking the lead as results were reported.

Just after 2 a.m., when reporting stopped, the two were within 273 votes of each other with Louis in the lead.

The close result isdj vu for the riding, which sawAlbrecht beat Louis by 251 votes in 2015.

Top issues affordability, climate change and health care

Louis said he spent the past four years getting to know the riding better. In 2015, the boundaries had just been changed to include the portion where Louis lives, and he said he wasn't as knowledgeable about the townships as he could have been, and they him.

"[I] really got to know the communities better and I think that works because the more you get into a community, the more you know the people in it, the more you feel like you can relate and help them out," he said.

He said at the doors, people told him they are concerned about affordability, climate change and health care.

"Those are the three things that I've heardloud and clear, whether it's in Kitchener or any of the townships," he said.

"I'm looking forward tocontinue this conversation, keep talking to people here finding out what's important to them and being their voice for everyone in Ottawa."