Image Credit: CFJC Today / Kent SImmonds

By Jill Sperling

FEDERAL ELECTION 2019

MP McLeod excited about election night win; hopes for unification in Canada

Oct 22, 2019 | 3:41 PM

KAMLOOPS — With the election now in the rearview mirror, local MP Cathy McLeod is readying herself for her fourth term.

McLeod reclaimed her seat with a more than 12,000 vote lead over Liberal candidate Terry Lake, who finished second in the race.

As she cleaned up her campaign office, McLeod reflected on the results of last night’s election.

“At the end of a long five weeks, it’s a tiring five weeks, but happy, very honoured to be offered to represent the constituents of Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo again and have the voters’ confidence,” McLeod said.

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It was a bitter-sweet win for the now four-term conservative MP.

She won the riding, but the Liberals are forming a minority government.

“We’re so much more divided than we were in 2015,” McLeod said. “I just listened to the leader of the Bloc talking with a singular focus in terms of Quebec, I worry about what’s happening with Saskatchewan and Alberta turning predominantly blue and so we really, again, need to find ways to bring us back together because we do live in a truly wonderful country.”

Political Studies professor Dr. Robert Hanlon says the result of the election shows a major rift between different regions and their ideologies.

“You get some parties voting in the west for Conservatives, you see the Liberal votes split all throughout Ontario,” Hanlon said. “So, some very regional issues happening, but also the minority government reflects the kind of attitudes Canadians have towards the Liberal Party and Justin Trudeau. A lot of untrust, and unsure about what the Liberal party stands for.”

Within the Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo riding, McLeod’s big lead on election night reflects the reputation she has built locally.

“The gap in votes itself between Terry Lake and Cathy McLeod, it was surprising that it was such a wide margin,” Hanlon said. “But, you know, it does speak to Cathy McLeod’s base and support in this region and it really speaks to, also, the type of attitudes the voters had towards Trudeau and the Liberals. I think there’s a lot going on, but it certainly is a testament to the work she’s doing and support she has here.”

While once again a member of the Opposition, McLeod isn’t necessarily looking at it as a full-term gig.

“Typically, minorities last anywhere from 18 months to two years. We’ll see,” McLeod said. “Again, it’s going to be up to the Prime Minister to bring the country together and it will be up to parliamentarians to make sure that we do the right things for all of the country.”