Horwath: election not a priority

Ontario’s opposition parties scored victories in two byelections yesterday, dealing a blow to Premier Kathleen Wynne and the Liberals in advance of an election expected this spring.

In Niagara Falls, the final vote count shows the NDP defeating the PCs by less than one thousand votes:

• New Democrat Wayne Gates won with 14,526 votes;
• Tory candidate Bart Maves wasn’t far behind with 13,564;
• Liberal Joyce Morocco was a distant third with 7,143.

NDP leader Andrea Horwath congratulated Gates for his byelection win last night in Niagara Falls. She said he’ll be a champion for jobs in the community who will bring a voice to those not being heard.

When asked whether she’ll push for an election after last night’s results, she said that’s not her priority.

“We are going to be focusing on the priorities the people of this province have told us they have, and that means things like making life more affordable. It means things like bringing real good jobs back to Ontario. It means making sure that folks have a healthcare system that they can rely on.”

Related:
Hudak takes aim at Working Families Coalition
Wynne not discouraged by results
Horwath: Byelections send strong message
Ontario’s opposition parties score in byelections