Conservatives push out Liberals in Toronto byelection

The Conservatives have overtaken the Liberal stronghold in Toronto-St. Paul’s after Monday’s byelection.

Don Stewart secured the victory over Liberal candidate Leslie Church with nearly 600 votes.

Stewart trailed Church for hours as poll workers counted ballots.

The midtown riding had been considered a stronghold for the Liberals for more than thirty years.

There was talk before the election that a liberal loss could spark a vote on Justin Trudeau’s leadership.

Yet polls showed a lead for Church up until the early hours of Wednesday.

Wednesday’s win marks a first for the Tories in Toronto since 2011.

In a statement on social media, Church called the close result “disappointing.”

“Yesterday voters in Toronto–St. Paul’s sent us a clear message, that they want us to re-earn their trust. I hear that message loud and clear, and that’s exactly what we plan to do.”

Stewart penned a message of his own following the victory, calling the results a clear message to the prime minister.

“He is not worth the cost,” he said. “Pierre Poilievre has a common sense plan that is resonating in every corner of the country, including right here in the heart of Toronto.”

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