Landslide win for Michael Barrett

Conservative incumbent Michael Barrett celebrated a landslide win last night. He held on to the MP seat in Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes with 28,435 votes (49.2%).

Liberal candidate Josh Bennett trailed Barrett with 15,266 votes (26.4%). NDP candidate Michelle Taylor ended up with 8,071 votes (14.0%) and Green Party hopeful Lorraine Rekmans got 5,049 votes (8.7%). Evan Hindle, of the People’s Party, secured 978 votes (1.7%). 

Voter turnout was 68%, with 57,779 of the 84,442 registered electors heading to the polls. 

This marks the second victory for Barrett in less than a year. He was first elected MP in the federal byelection in December, following the sudden death of Gord Brown. The riding has been a Conservative stronghold since 2004.

Barrett says he has the voters to thank and his many volunteers who helped win the election. He noted it’s historically significant to see a majority government reduced to only one term, which speaks to the effectiveness of the Conservative Party.  

Barrett served with the Canadian Armed Forces and as a municipal councillor in Edwardsburgh/Cardinal prior to his election to the House of Commons.