Liberal Glenn Thibeault wins Sudbury byelection
Liberal GlennThibeault has been elected asSudburys new member of the Ontario Legislature.
With all polls reporting, Thibeaulthad 10,626votes in the Thursdaybyelection with 41.2per cent of the vote.
NDPcandidate Suzanne Shawbonquit had 8,985votes,34.9per cent of the vote.
Listen to the election night speeches from Glenn Thibeault and Suzanne Shawbonquit:
Independent candidate Andrew Olivier had 3,177votes with 12.3per cent of the vote, andProgressive Conservative Paula Peroni had 1,933votes or 7.5 per cent.
Olivier had run as the Liberal candidate in the June 2014 provincial election and intended to run again, but the party appointed Thibeault instead.
Olivier made headlines in December when he alleged Liberal Party members had offered hima job or appointment to step aside. Ontario Provincial Policeand Elections Ontario are investigating the claims.
"I know there's much work to do and bridges to rebuild and I'm fully prepared to do that," Thibeault said minutes after his victory.
Premier Kathleen Wynne was in Sudburyand credited the victory to her party focusing on the positive and to Thibeault himself.
"We know he's a community leader and that's why he won. Because people know and trust Glenn Thibeault."
Listen to Wynne's speech here:
Thibeault said he's thankful the people of Sudburyput their faith in him.
"I also want to recognize all the candidates who put their names forward and contributed to a lively debate," he said.
"Our differences as candidates originate from the same place: our love for this community."
Thibeault, used to winning by sizable margins in federal elections, admitted to some anxious moments Thursday night. TheNDP was up by 400 votes at one point.
"Of course. I was worried from the day I made the decision to the minute I won. Politics is a funny game and you can never take it for granted. And if you ever do, I don't think you should be in politics."
Rookie New Democrat candidate Shawbonquittold supporters that she wishes Thibeault luck in convincing the Liberal government to stop ignoring Northern Ontario.
"If he is looking for an ally to get Sudbury's voice heard in Toronto, he will find one in me," she said.