STAFF WRITER
Conservative candidate Michael Barrett has been re-elected in Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands—Rideau Lakes following a closely contested federal election.
Preliminary results show Barrett securing 50.2 per cent of the vote, with 33,141 ballots cast in his favour. Liberal candidate Lorna Jean Edmonds finished close behind with 44.2 per cent support, earning 29,199 votes.
New Democratic Party candidate Paul Lancione received 3.5 per cent of the vote (2,315 votes), Green Party candidate Randi Ramdeen secured 1.2 per cent (774 votes), and People’s Party of Canada candidate Hailey Simpson garnered 0.9 per cent (589 votes).
A total of 66,018 valid votes were cast, representing a voter turnout of 72.9 per cent among 90,557 registered electors. The riding’s overall population is listed at 104,075.
Nationally, Mark Carney and Liberal Party leads with a strong minority government, while Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre lost his Carleton riding in a crowded field of 90 candidates. Former Bank of Canada governor Carney secured his first seat as a Liberal MP in Carleton, and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh also lost his seat.
Final results will be confirmed once all advance and special ballots are officially counted.