The federal Liberals celebrated a big byelection win in South Surrey-White Rock on Monday night, taking a seat won by the Conservatives in the last general election.
Former BC Liberal MLA Gordie Hogg beat former Conservative cabinet minister and Delta-Richmond East MP Kerry-Lynne Findlay by nearly 1400 votes, taking 47.3% of the 28,830 ballots cast.
The 71-year old Hogg served as the MLA for Surrey-White Rock from 1997 to 2017 when he announced his retirement.
It proved a hotly contested seat with both Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Conservative Party leader Andrew Scheer appearing with their party’s candidates during the campaign.
The seat was left empty when Conservative MP Diane Watts left to run for the leadership of the BC Liberal Party.
She had won the riding by fewer than 1,500 votes in 2015.
It was the only seat to change hands in four by-elections held across Canada on Monday night.
The Liberals held on to seats in Newfoundland and suburban Toronto while the Conservatives won again in the Saskatchewan.
Gordie Hogg and Justin Trudeau. Credit: Facebook.
Ben O'Hara
