Prime minister calls two federal byelections for Sept. 16
Races will be first test for government since shocking Toronto seat loss
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Sunday that byelections will be held in two federal ridings on Sept. 16.
One race will be held in LaSalle—Émard—Verdun to fill the Quebec seat left vacant by the retirement of former Liberal cabinet minister David Lametti.
Lametti, a lawyer, served as minister of justice and attorney general. He won the Montreal riding comfortably in three straight elections since 2015. He was dropped from cabinet as part of Trudeau's massive cabinet shuffle last summer, something Lametti called "a surprise."
City councillor Laura Palestini will contest the riding for the Liberals, while the NDP is also fielding a city councillor, Craig Sauvé. Louis-Philippe Sauvé, a former political staffer, will be the Bloc Québécois candidate, and the Conservatives have put forward business owner Louis Ialenti.
In the past three elections, Bloc candidates have typically placed second and the New Democrats third.
The governing Liberals hold almost every riding on the island of Montreal, but public polling consistently shows them trailing the opposition Conservatives by double digits nationally.
The second byelection called Sunday will take place in Elmwood—Transcona to pick a successor for former Manitoba NDP MP Daniel Blaikie, who left federal politics to work with the provincial NDP government.
Blaikie held the Winnipeg riding since 2015, barely wresting back control for the NDP that year in a race against incumbent Conservative Lawrence Toet that came down to fewer than 100 votes. He expanded his lead in each of the succeeding elections, winning by more than 20 percentage points in the 2021 federal campaign.
Prior to Toet's one term from 2011 to 2015, the riding has traditionally been a New Democrat stronghold. Bill Blaikie, Daniel's father, represented the area federally from 1979 to 2008.
Leila Dance, head of a local business improvement organization, will carry the NDP banner into the race. Conservatives, who traditionally place second in the area, have nominated electrician Colin Reynolds. Liberals have tapped union leader Ian MacIntyre as their candidate.
The races will be the first test of the Liberals' electoral strength since a shocking byelection loss in Toronto–St. Paul's in June sparked internal consternation in the government.
It was the first time since 2015 the Liberals had lost a riding in the city of Toronto, and it came at a time when persistently low national polling numbers raised questions about the strength of the government going into the next election. Former Liberal cabinet minister Carolyn Bennett had previously held the riding since 1997.
Following the loss, several caucus members called for an emergency national meeting, which Trudeau refused. He has consistently maintained that he will lead the party into the next election.
Corrections
- A previous version of this story said Bill Blaikie served as a federal MP until 2004. In fact, he served until 2008.Jul 28, 2024 11:42 AM ET
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With files from The Canadian Press
From: PMO-CPM <pm@pm.gc.ca>
Date: Sun, Jul 28, 2024 at 10:22 AM
Subject: News Release
To: <PM_AN_E@list.pm.gc.ca>
July 28, 2024
Ottawa, Ontario
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced that by-elections will be held on September 16, 2024, in the following electoral districts:
- Elmwood—Transcona, Manitoba
- LaSalle—Émard—Verdun, Quebec
The Prime Minister's Office - Communications
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Winnipeg was scene of tightest election race in Canada
The closest race in Canada's 2015 general election happened in Winnipeg and in a throwback to 1993, it once again involved a Blaikie.
Shortly before 1 a.m. Tuesday, Elections Canada officially declared Daniel Blaikie the winner in Winnipeg's Elmwood-Transcona riding, over Conservative incumbent Lawrence Toet.
The margin of victory, after the two candidates traded leads through the night, was just 51 votes.
- Daniel Blaikie edges out Lawrence Toet by 51 votes in Elmwood-Transcona
- Map: Winnipeg before and after the election
- Results: Everything you want to know about last night's election
The next closest contest in the country was in Saskatchewan's Desnethé-Missinippi-Churchill River, where the NDP's Georgina Jolibois defeated Liberal Lawrence Joseph by 70 votes.
The tight race in Elmwood-Transcona wasn't unfamiliar territory for Toet, who took the seat from the NDP by a slim 300 votes in the 2011 election. He hasn't decided yet if he will seek a recount of the 2015 results.
And it wasn't the first time a Blaikie was involved in a nail-biter for the seat.
In the 1993 general election, Bill Blaikie (Daniel's father) was chased to the finish line by Liberal candidate Art Miki. In the end, Blaikie won by 219 votes.
Manitoba premier urges Trudeau to move up NATO spending timeline to save Canada-U.S. relationship
Trudeau says Canada can meet NATO's military spending benchmark by 2032
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew is urging the federal government to speed up its efforts to reach NATO's spending benchmark in order to save the Canada-U.S. trade relationship ahead of potentially shifting sands south of the border.
After years of criticism from allies — most notably the United States — the Liberal government announced last week that it hopes to meet NATO's military investment commitment of two per cent of alliance members' gross domestic product by 2032.
Speaking on the last day of the premiers' annual summer meeting, Kinew said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau should reach two per cent spending in four years.
"I want Canadians to see this as a national security thing. It's an investment in the Canadian Armed Forces, but I encourage Canadians to think about this also as an investment in trade," Kinew told reporters before going into closed-door meetings.
"If we're not meeting our responsibility to our NATO allies, it is going to have an impact on [the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement] renewal. It is gonna have an impact on the relationship."
Premiers have been discussing the Canada-U.S. relationship during the Council of the Federation meeting in Halifax this week, with an eye to the U.S. presidential election in November.
Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston, chair of this year's meetings, said Tuesday the provinces are working to maintain that relationship, no matter who wins, given the U.S. buys about three-quarters of Canada's exports.
Kinew said the premiers, and the economic success of their economies, need the federal government to see defence as a trade issue when it comes to Canada's neighbour to the south.
"The point that I'm making is we need to invest in national security, but we also need the federal government in this area, clearly a federal responsibility, to do their part," he said.
"I am concerned that if we don't hit that two per cent target within the next four years ... it is going to become a trade issue, it is going to become a trade irritant."
When asked about Kinew's comments, a Department of National Defence spokesperson defended the 2032 target.
"This represents a credible, responsible and achievable target date, which will allow Canada to ramp up its spending and procurement capacity on a realistic timeline, in line with commitments by several allies who have made comparable pledges," the spokesperson said in an emailed statement.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford also told reporters he supports the government moving the target to appease the United States.
The premiers stressed the importance of meeting the two per cent target in a joint statement released Wednesday afternoon.
"Canada fulfilling its NATO obligation of defence spending of 2 per cent of GDP is an important element of being a stable ally and strong economic partner," the statement said.
Canada currently sets aside a sum equivalent to 1.3 per cent of its GDP for the military. Before last week's announcement, it had a plan to reach 1.76 per cent by the end of the decade, but other alliance members have been insisting Canada deliver some kind of plan to get to two per cent.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has said he won't commit to meeting the two per cent NATO defence spending target if he becomes prime minister.
"I make promises that I can keep, and right now ... our country is broke," Poilievre said. "I'm inheriting a dumpster fire when it comes to the budget.
"Every time I make a financial commitment, I'm going to make sure I've pulled out my calculator and done all the math. People are sick and tired of politicians just announcing that they're going to spend money without figuring out how they're going to pay for it."
But Alberta Premier Danielle Smith told CBC News Network's Power & Politics the two per cent target should be a goal for both Liberal and Conservative governments.
When asked if she thinks Poilievre should also commit to meeting the NATO target, Smith said, "I would agree, it's important for both [Liberals and Conservatives to hit the target]."
"We will put the same pressure on the opposition leader if he also becomes prime minister," Smith told host David Cochrane.
Trump stresses NATO contributions
Smith said hitting the NATO target is necessary to maintain a good trading relationship with the U.S., especially if former president Donald Trump returns to the White House in this fall's election.
"If there is the potential for a change in the administration in the White House, I think there is going to be a much greater pressure put on Canada," Smith said.
Trump has encouraged Russia to do "whatever the hell they want" to any NATO member country that doesn't meet spending guidelines on defence.
"NATO was busted until I came along," Trump said at a rally earlier this year. "I said, 'Everybody's gonna pay.' They said, 'Well, if we don't pay, are you still going to protect us?' I said, 'Absolutely not.' They couldn't believe the answer."
In May, a group of U.S. senators from both major parties sent a letter to Trudeau urging the Liberal government to boost defence spending to the NATO target.
Last Thursday, U.S. Ambassador to Canada David Cohen released a statement saying the Biden administration is pleased to see Canada present a timeline for meeting the target.
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With files from Murray Brewster
Conservatives pick union member to go after blue-collar voters in upcoming Elmwood-Transcona byelection
Colin Reynolds says agreement between federal Liberals, NDP isn't serving union members like him
The federal Conservatives have picked an electrician who calls himself a proud union member to run for the party in a working-class Winnipeg riding.
Colin Reynolds will represent the Conservatives in an upcoming byelection in Elmwood-Transcona, a seat known for its blue-collar roots.
In a video posted on social media Friday morning, Reynolds says he's a construction electrician and a "proud member" of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 2085.
"Jagmeet Singh and Justin Trudeau's costly coalition does not represent union workers like me," he says, referring to a confidence-and-supply agreement between the two parties.
He goes on to blame the current federal government for the rising cost of living and says crime is running rampant in Winnipeg.
Reynolds says he grew up in the Valley Gardens neighbourhood. He and his wife have three adult children.
The Conservatives are continuing to ride high in the polls nationally, and the party hopes that momentum can carry them to victory in Elmwood-Transcona.
A byelection must be called by Sept. 29, according to Elections Canada. The latest date it can be held is Nov. 18.
The riding has predominantly belonged to the NDP and the Blaikie family from the beginning.
Daniel Blaikie held the seat for nearly a decade until he resigned earlier this year for a role advising Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew's government. Blaikie's late father, Bill, was an MP for almost 30 years before that.
The Conservatives held the seat briefly from 2011 to 2015.
In May, NDP members selected Leila Dance, the executive director of the Transcona BIZ, as their candidate.
The governing Liberals have yet to say who will carry their banner in the byelection.
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Intro
Former teacher, union leader to run for Liberal Party of Canada in upcoming Elmwood-Transcona byelection
Ian MacIntyre will look to take seat that historically swings to NDP
The federal Liberals have tapped a retired teacher and union leader to run for the party in the upcoming Elmwood-Transcona byelection.
Ian MacIntyre will run for the governing Liberals in the byelection, which hasn't been announced yet, the party said Thursday. It must be called before the end of September.
MacIntyre spent 24 years as a teacher with the River East Transcona School Division and was previously the president of the Manitoba Teachers' Society, according to a news release from the party. He has also lived, worked and volunteered in Elmwood-Transcona for more than three decades, the release said.
MacIntyre is no stranger to politics either, after running for the Manitoba Liberals in last fall's provincial election. He netted 896 votes of the 11,377 total votes cast in the contest for the Kildonan-River East seat, according to official Elections Manitoba results.
The Liberals joined the Conservatives and NDP Thursday as parties who have announced their candidates for the upcoming byelection.
The Conservatives picked Colin Reynolds earlier this month. He's an electrician who calls himself a proud union member.
In May, NDP members selected Leila Dance, the executive director of the Transcona BIZ, as their candidate.
The riding has predominantly belonged to the NDP and the Blaikie family from the beginning.
Daniel Blaikie held the seat for nearly a decade until he resigned earlier this year to take a role advising Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew's government. Blaikie's late father, Bill, was an MP for almost 30 years before that.
The Conservatives held the seat briefly from 2011 to 2015.
A byelection must be called by Sept. 29, according to Elections Canada. The latest date it can be held is Nov. 18.
About Ian MacIntyre
When were you born?
Between 1946 and 1965 (Baby Boomer)
Tell our readers a bit about your professional life. What do you do for a living? If you're an incumbent candidate, what did you do before you entered politics?
Ian MacIntyre is a retired teacher with 38 years of service. He was born in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia and grew up in a strong Union household. He says if it wasn’t for the Union he would not have been able to attend Saint Mary’s University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Ian has lived in Kildonan – River East for 16 years.
After receiving his Bachelor of Education degree, Ian worked in Nigeria, for two years. Then it was on to Manitoba where he taught in Oxford House, South Indian Lake, Cross Lake, Cranberry Portage, Beausejour and finally settling in Winnipeg to work in the River East Transcona School Division.
Ian never lost the Union bug. He was an active Manitoba Teachers’ Society member and was President of the 15, 000-member provincial organization in 1998 – 1999. He has remained active in the Union to this day.
Ian is a member of the Board of a non-for-profit community-based organization that provides housing and supports to persons living with developmental disabilities.
Ian is an advocate for youth and adults with developmental challenges. Part of his work in the educational system and since his retirement has been to find volunteer and work placements where students can learn new skills, participate in the community and learn to navigate the world in a caring and supportive environment.
Ian is a member of the 2SLGBTQ+ community. Ian is a proud gay man who supports the community, the rights of the individual to be themselves, and for all people to grow up in safe environments and have a full live.
Involved in politics for many years, Ian has worked on federal and provincial elections, and is a long-standing member of the Manitoba Liberal Party.
What's the highest level of education you've attained?
Bachelor's degree
How long have you lived in the constituency? If you don't currently live there, what led you to run there instead of where you live?
I have lived in Kildonan - River East for 16 years.
What is the biggest challenge facing your constituency, and how would you address it?
1. Health Care - I have spoken to constituents who have highlighted Health Care as their number 1 concern. I have spoken to children of elderly parents who were devastated that postponed specialist appointments resulted in a delayed cancer diagnosis. Others have highlighted the need for family doctors. Constituents are not satisfied that an ambulance ride can take 20 or 30 minutes because they are diverted from a hospital 5 kilometres away. A Manitoba Liberal Government is committed to training more doctors, nurses and health care professionals. We will recruit family doctors. We will provide flexible pay allowing doctors to provide the quality of care that is determined by the need of their patient rather than rushing patients through the system. Patients like seniors, expectant mothers, or people with more complicated issues, need more time with their doctors and their doctor should be allowed to deliver it.
2. Homelessness - Many constituents are engaged in this election and its issues. People are concerned about the homeless and the factors leading to homelessness. They understand that homelessness can result from failure, addiction, abandonment, mental illness. and other factors. Constituents have responded positively to the Manitoba Liberal Platform promise to create rapid response teams for homeless persons living with addiction or mental illness. I spoke to one constituent who provides bottles of water to the homeless near their home. This is a small gesture, but a generous action. A Manitoba Liberal Government will end the punitive EIA penalties for work and ensure that people who want to work will be able to access the resources and supports they need through a properly funded jobs assistance program. We will implement a provincial guaranteed dignified income (Mincome) for people with severe physical or mental disabilities, as well as people over 60. We will implement a "Same Day Housing" strategy that will end in permanent housing.
3. Seniors Care - Seniors have shared they feel disposable - Getting home Care Support is a nightmare, or Home Care Workers are replaced often due to high turn over or vacancies. Seniors have no where to turn. A Manitoba Liberal Government will create the Office of the Senior's Advocate to investigate, advocate, and provide solutions for government on all issues that affect seniors. We will support seniors living at home by creating the “Safe at Home” strategy which provides grants up to $15,000 for seniors to retrofit their homes and enhance accessibility, improve Senior's Care Home staff ratios, and increase salaries and attract Home Care professionals to the profession.
If elected, what will be your first priority?
I have had some constituents share their stories with me, and my first priority is to follow-up with constituents having problems navigating the system. I will meet with the constituents dealing with cancer in their families to ensure they are getting the service they need. I will check in with several people living with disabilities to ensure their homes get the retrofits they need, and I will help several people with their Human Rights Commission complaints.
A Liberal Government will table a new Budget and legislation. I will work on legislation to ensure the clawbacks on EIA is eliminated.
Who are your role models in politics, and why?
1. Pierre Elliot Trudeau - In 1968, my dad had me going door to door dropping Trudeau flyers. I have been a live long Liberal. Take him or leave him, PET left us a lasting legacy including the Canadian Multicultural Mosaic, bilingualism, and repatriating the Constitution enshrining Indigenous Rights and Treaty Rights. Trudeau believed in democracy and social justice. I believe we are better when we are working for citizens, looking after those less fortunate, and helping those in need. Kindness costs nothing.
2. Nelson Mandela - Even in prison Mandela did not waver. He believed all South Africans should be free and equal partners in South Africa. His work on reconciliation is a template for the world to follow. I believe treating others with respect, listening more, and benefitting the many is an example for us all.
3. Ruth Bader Ginsburg - A litigator, crusader, and advocate, Ms. Ginsburg was strongly opinionated, rational and tenacious. She believed in the rights of women and equality of all genders. I describe myself as sane, strongly opinionated (although that description is not often referred to in those words) and tenacious. I am a feminist, an advocate for the 2SLBGTQIA+, a supporter of pronouns, and anti book banning.
Tell us something about yourself that voters might find surprising.
In my youth I was an avid waterpolo player. I played for the Dalhousie University Tigers (even though I attended St. Mary's University down the street). When I moved to Winnipeg, in 1993, I played for the Guppies in a Rec League at Sargent Park Pool.
I love travelling. I've travelled to Africa 4 times and in 1999 visited Nelson Mandela's home (a National Historic Site) in Soweto, Johannesburg, South Africa.
I am an avid reader. You can friend me on Godreads.com
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NDP members pick Transcona BIZ head as candidate for Elmwood-Transcona byelection
Leila Dance says NDP won't give up seat, Conservatives 'can take their ball and go home'
The federal NDP will fight a byelection in Elmwood-Transcona with a business leader as its candidate, rather than a member of the Blaikie family.
Party members voted Wednesday night to select Leila Dance as the next NDP candidate for Elmwood-Transcona, succeeding Daniel Blaikie, who held the seat for nearly a decade, and his late father Bill, an MP for almost 30 years before that.
Dance, the executive director of the Transcona BIZ, fought back tears as she addressed the crowd at Holy Eucharist Parish Centre after winning the contested nomination. Around 100 people cast their ballot.
"I really hope that I can represent you how you need me to represent you. And I promise to be a strong voice for you in Ottawa so the NDP can keep this seat — we're not giving it up; we're going to keep it; it's ours."
"The blue can take their ball and go home," she added with a smile, alluding to the upcoming byelection challenge from the Conservatives.
The seat was left vacant after Daniel Blaikie resigned earlier this year for a role advising the government of Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew.
A date for the byelection hasn't been called.
Family synonymous with Elmwood-Transcona
The riding of Elmwood-Transcona has predominantly belonged to the NDP, and specifically the Blaikie family, from the beginning.
Bill Blaikie was first elected in 1979, as the member of Parliament for Winnipeg-Birds Hill. After that electoral district was dissolved in 1987, Blaikie won four elections in the new seat of Winnipeg-Transcona, and two more after it was renamed Elmwood-Transcona in 2004.
He resigned in 2008 and a year later began a brief foray into provincial politics.
Bill died in 2022.
His son, Daniel Blaikie, took over as MP in 2015.
The Conservatives only held the seat from 2011 to 2015, but the party is currently riding high in polls across the country and hoping to carry that momentum into a byelection victory in Elmwood-Transcona.
Neither the Conservatives or governing Liberals have named their candidate.
Leila
Dance, centre, poses for a photo with Manitoba NDP MLAs, from left,
Tracy Schmidt, Jim Maloway, Nello Altomare and Matt Wiebe. (Prabhjot Lotey Singh/CBC)
Daniel Blaikie said Dance is already known throughout the community. She's grown up in the area, advocated for businesses and worked at various non-profits including the Children's Wish Foundation and ALS Society of Manitoba.
He drew parallels between Dance's burgeoning political career with that of NDP MP Taylor Bachrach, who earned voters' trust after the resignation of a well-known NDP MP in Nathan Cullen.
"Taylor wasn't as well known when he started, but he's well known now and he's doing fantastic work in Ottawa," Blaikie said.
"I have every confidence that it won't be long after Leila gets into the House of Commons that her name is on the tip of people's tongue."
Dance said she's gone through struggles herself as a single mother. She knows she's not alone, she said.
"I think we're all struggling right now with the cost of living and I'm hoping that we can do something and help make it affordable for all Canadians," Dance said.
Federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh will attend Dance's campaign office opening on Saturday.
Dance was vying for the nomination against Leilani Villarba, the executive director of the Chalmers Neighbourhood Renewal Corporation.
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Winnipeg MP Daniel Blaikie resigning from Elmwood-Transcona seat to work for Manitoba premier
Blaikie plans to begin work as adviser to Wab Kinew in April
Daniel Blaikie, the NDP member of Parliament for the Winnipeg riding of Elmwood-Transcona, plans to resign from his seat at the end of March in order to work for Manitoba's premier, the federal New Democratic Party announced Wednesday.
Blaikie said in an interview he plans to resign on March 31 and begin work in April as Premier Wab Kinew's senior adviser on intergovernmental affairs, a job that will allow him to work in Winnipeg.
"I've got a young family and have been hoping to find a way to spend more time with my young kids and with my wife," Blaikie said in a telephone interview from Ottawa.
"When the opportunity came up to get to continue in the vein of work that I've been doing for a while now … but get to be in my own bed every night and be able to take my kids to hockey during the week and things like that, it was an opportunity I didn't want to pass up."
CBC News has asked Kinew for comment.
Blaikie said his departure has nothing to do with polls that suggest the Conservative party is poised to make gains in the next federal election.
Elmwood-Transcona has traditionally switched hands between the New Democrats and Conservatives. Blaikie was first elected in the eastern Winnipeg seat in 2015, when he narrowly defeated Conservative incumbent Lawrence Toet.
Blaikie was re-elected in 2019 and 2021, with larger percentages of the popular vote each time.
His departure from the House of Commons will leave federal New Democrats with only two MPs in Manitoba: Leah Gazan in Winnipeg Centre and Niki Ashton in Churchill-Keewatinook Aski.
New boundaries for next general election
Assuming the Speaker of the House of Commons officially notifies Canada's chief electoral officer of Blaikie's resignation on March 31, the federal government must call a byelection by Sept. 27.
In the next general election, Elmwood-Transcona will have new electoral boundaries that stretch out to the east, absorbing traditionally Conservative-leaning polling areas in Dugald.
Blaikie said the new boundaries will not impair the NDP's ability to retain the seat. He expressed confidence in NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh's ability to increase the party's seat count in a general election.
"Mr. Singh has demonstrated great leadership in this Parliament," Blaikie said.
"If you look at all the things that New Democrats are getting done as part of his team, I'm very optimistic about the NDP's fortunes in Elmwood-Transcona after I leave."
Blaikie cited the forthcoming federal dental care program, which the NDP worked out with the Liberal minority government, as one of the party's achievements during his time in office.
Blaikie, who followed his late father Bill Blaikie into office, would not say whether there is any pressure on his siblings Rebecca Blaikie, who is a former president of the federal NDP, or Tessa Blaikie-Whitecloud, the CEO of the Winnipeg charity Siloam Mission, to continue the family's political pursuits.
"I'm going to leave it to my sisters to speak for themselves," he said.
Blaikie said his experience in Parliament will help Manitoba's government work with Ottawa, no matter who wins the next election.
"I can work with Conservatives, I've shown that I can work with Liberals, I can work with people with whom I have serious disagreements on some issues and not let that get in the way of making progress where progress can be made," he said.
Blaikie's announcement took place the same day he was forced to apologize in the House of Commons for what the Speaker described as unparliamentary language.
"Mr. Speaker, in the course of expressing concerns for the tongues of certain Conservative members that I feared would get stuck in the backside of their leader as he exited the chamber, I did indeed use unparliamentary language," Blaikie said.
Former MP Bill Blaikie proud to see son Daniel win seat in Parliament
'I’m sure we’ll have occasion to have some great conversations about what’s going on in Parliament'
Former Elmwood-Transcona member of Parliament Bill Blaikie said it was gratifying to watch his son Daniel Blaikie achieve what he did nine times during his 30-year political career.
Daniel Blaikie squeaked out a win in the closest federal election race in the country on Monday. The NDP candidate came in just 51 votes ahead of his main competitor, Conservative incumbent Lawrence Toet.
"It was a dead heat all night.… We were very gratified that at the end, he came out on the right side of close, so to speak," said Bill Blaikie. "I'm proud of him, and we're looking forward to seeing him in the House of Commons."
While Blaikie said he is pleased to see his son and his daughter, NDP president Rebecca Blaikie, achieve leadership positions in politics, he did not pressure his children to enter public life.
"You want your kids to do whatever they want to do and you want them to do it well," he said.
"It's important to have the next generation involved in politics. I'm just very proud."
Advice for son in Ottawa
Daniel Blaikie was elected MP for Elmwood-Transcona in Monday's election, ahead by only 51 votes. (CBC)Finally, when his political life ends, his family will be there.
"When your political life is over, your family is still there, and your family will always be there.… They are a support to you," he said. "[Politics] is also something you can involve your kids in and make them see the importance of."
Will Dad get involved?
When asked whether he will weigh in on Daniel Blaikie's work in Ottawa, Bill Blaikie simply said "that remains to be seen."
One thing he was sure of: politics will come up at the dinner table.
"I'm sure we'll have occasion to have some great conversations about what's going on in Parliament."
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