本文发表在 rolia.net 枫下论坛Balkissoon win sweet for Liberals
First by-election victory since 2003
Low turnout blamed on cold, snow
Nov. 25, 2005. 04:23 AM
RICHARD BRENNAN AND ROBERT BENZIE
QUEEN'S PARK BUREAU
The Liberals' Bas Balkissoon skated to victory in yesterday's provincial by-election in Scarborough-Rouge River.
The runaway victory was marred by a low turnout, estimated at 18 per cent, which was blamed on unseasonably wintry conditions.
But Balkissoon, 53, insisted the result would have been the same regardless, crediting his 17 years as city councillor. With all polls reporting, he held almost 58 per cent of the vote.
"A lot of it is the fact that I have been around for a long time ... and the public knows who I am," he told reporters.
The victory was particularly sweet for the Liberals given it was the first time they won a by-election since the 2003 general election. "I think the public is pretty satisfied that the government is trying to recover from the days of the previous Conservative government," he said.
Balkissoon's closest competitor was Conservative hopeful Cynthia Lai, 51, with about 24 per cent of the vote. New Democrat Sheila White got about 15 per cent of the ballots.
At Conservative headquarters in an Agincourt strip mall, neither the expected defeat nor the winter storm dampened spirits.
"We knew it was going to be a big challenge from the beginning," said Conservative Leader John Tory, congratulating Balkissoon and praising Lai for being a strong candidate.
"She worked terribly hard. She was out morning till night," said Tory, adding that the result shows the party is "laying down roots" in a Liberal stronghold.
Still, he lamented the low voter turnout, saying it shows politicians have to do more to increase faith in the democratic process.
Lai was gracious in defeat.
"It's clear that the voters have chosen to go in a different direction than the one we offered," said Lai, president of the Visar Group of Companies, and the first Chinese woman president of the Toronto Real Estate Board. "I'm a little bit disappointed, but I'm proud and I'm grateful."
The riding, in the northeastern part of the former city of Scarborough, was the Liberals to lose given Alvin Curling held it for 20 years before resigning to become Canada's ambassador to the Dominican Republic.
The Liberal win means the Liberals now have 71 seats in the 103-seat legislature, while the Tories have 24 and NDP eight.更多精彩文章及讨论，请光临枫下论坛 rolia.net
First by-election victory since 2003
Low turnout blamed on cold, snow
Nov. 25, 2005. 04:23 AM
RICHARD BRENNAN AND ROBERT BENZIE
QUEEN'S PARK BUREAU
The Liberals' Bas Balkissoon skated to victory in yesterday's provincial by-election in Scarborough-Rouge River.
The runaway victory was marred by a low turnout, estimated at 18 per cent, which was blamed on unseasonably wintry conditions.
But Balkissoon, 53, insisted the result would have been the same regardless, crediting his 17 years as city councillor. With all polls reporting, he held almost 58 per cent of the vote.
"A lot of it is the fact that I have been around for a long time ... and the public knows who I am," he told reporters.
The victory was particularly sweet for the Liberals given it was the first time they won a by-election since the 2003 general election. "I think the public is pretty satisfied that the government is trying to recover from the days of the previous Conservative government," he said.
Balkissoon's closest competitor was Conservative hopeful Cynthia Lai, 51, with about 24 per cent of the vote. New Democrat Sheila White got about 15 per cent of the ballots.
At Conservative headquarters in an Agincourt strip mall, neither the expected defeat nor the winter storm dampened spirits.
"We knew it was going to be a big challenge from the beginning," said Conservative Leader John Tory, congratulating Balkissoon and praising Lai for being a strong candidate.
"She worked terribly hard. She was out morning till night," said Tory, adding that the result shows the party is "laying down roots" in a Liberal stronghold.
Still, he lamented the low voter turnout, saying it shows politicians have to do more to increase faith in the democratic process.
Lai was gracious in defeat.
"It's clear that the voters have chosen to go in a different direction than the one we offered," said Lai, president of the Visar Group of Companies, and the first Chinese woman president of the Toronto Real Estate Board. "I'm a little bit disappointed, but I'm proud and I'm grateful."
The riding, in the northeastern part of the former city of Scarborough, was the Liberals to lose given Alvin Curling held it for 20 years before resigning to become Canada's ambassador to the Dominican Republic.
The Liberal win means the Liberals now have 71 seats in the 103-seat legislature, while the Tories have 24 and NDP eight.更多精彩文章及讨论，请光临枫下论坛 rolia.net