Oct. 21, 10 p.m.
Richard Cannings arrived at his election party to cheers of NDP, NDP, four more years, four more years moved throughout the room hugging supporters after the riding was called in his favour by Canadian Press at about 9:30 a.m.
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Oct. 21, 9:30 p.m.
Canadian Press has called South Okanagan-West Kootenay for the NDP’s Richard Cannings, who with 12,842 votes has lengthened his lead again over the Conservative candidate Helena Konanz (11,157 votes)
Connie Denesiuk (LIB) 17.6 per cent, Tara Howse (GRN) at 9 per cent and Sean Taylor (PPC) at 2.4 per cent.
Nationally, the Liberals are leading in 156 ridings, Conservatives in 121 and the NDP in 25.
After the polls closed, the workers are reporting that it was a smooth process running the polls today.
“I would say it was an easy process overall today, we didn’t have any long lines and people were in and out fairly quickly,” said Elsie Sanderud, who volunteered at the Uplands Elementary School polling station. “I volunteered four years ago and it was a stark contrast because we didn’t have many volunteers, so we weren’t able to do much. This year we were able to do a lot more.”
She added that voters at that poll didn’t encounter many problems in terms of confirming their identity and address, which can be a common problem on voting day.
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Oct. 21, 9 p.m.
Silence cut across the room at the Cannings gathering at the Lakeside Resort when word came in that his lead had dropped to just 0.4 per cent over Conservative challenger Helena Konanz.
Throughout the evening, Richard Cannings (NDP) has maintained a small lead over Conservative candidate Helena Konanz, but as more polls report in the gap has shrunk, with Cannings now at 7351 votes, just 88 ahead of Konanz’ 7,263.
“I really don’t see this as much of an issue. Dick’s obviously a better candidate. He has a strong platform on the environment which I think is on the forefront of everyone’s concerns. I think as they’re pulling in the numbers it’ll be from different demographics, but I think the overall better candidate will win. That’s what elections are about,” said Mike Dunn one of Cannings’ supporters
Connie Denesiuk (LIB) remains in third place at 18.3 per cent, followed by Tara Howse (GRN) at 8.1 per cent and Sean Taylor (PPC) at 2.5 per cent. A little less than half of the 280 polls in South Okanagan-West Kootenay have reported.
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Oct. 21, 8:30 p.m.
Richard Cannings (NDP) is still leading, with 35 per cent of the popular vote, and challenger Helena Konanz (CON) coming up at 32.4 per cent. Connie Denesiuk (LIB) is in third place at 19.3 per cent, followed by Tara Howse (GRN) at 10.1 per cent and Sean Taylor (PPC) at 2.7 per cent. About 12 per cent of the polls have reported in so far.
Across Canada, the Liberals are still showing a strong lead in 158 ridings, compared to 121 for the Conservative Party.
“I’m very excited to see the Liberals in the lead. I’m very pleased to see everything that is red, and is Liberal, and I’m excited for the future of Canada as they go forward. Certainly is great that so many in Canada chose to go forward, and certainly hopeful that Connie pulls this off, as she would be an outstanding representative for the South Okanagan – West Kootenay, said liberal supporter Ginny Manning.
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Oct. 21, 8 p.m.
As the results start to come in for South Okanagan-West Kootenay, supporters of Richard Cannings were happy to see the NDP candidate take a lead in the first few polls.
“Three polls in we always like to see a lead like that I wish I knew which polls they were the only thing we can really do is remain hopeful we thing we’re going to win and we’ve got a wonderful MP he’s very available I think he’s done a very good job, he’s a champion of the environment and we think most people these days need a champion of the environment,” said long-time NDP supporter Julia McKay.
With just four polls reporting, Cannings already had a lead of 38.8 per cent of the vote, followed by Konanz (CPC) at 27.4 per cent and Denesiuk (LIB) at 21.7 per cent.
Watching the results come in at the Penticton Golf and Country Club, David Pacey called the Liberal minority projection a disappointment.
“I’m obviously disappointed that they are speculating there is going to be a minority, which means there will probably be a coalition,” he said. “If that actually occurs, it’s probably going to be another disaster for Canada as a whole. It will be great for Quebec and I’m sure and marginal for Ontario but for the rest of Canada, it’s going to be a friggin’ disaster, that’s the simplest way of phrasing it.”
As far as the local results go, Pacey said, “It’s way too early. I’m very optimistic.”
Across the country, the Liberals are leading in 160 seats, and the Conservatives in 117. For a majority government, 170 seats are needed.
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Oct. 21, 7:30 p.m.
Candidates and their supporters have started to gather in their offices and other locations to await the results from the South Okanagan-West Kootenay riding, watching as the Liberal Party takes an early lead in the polls reporting in from Eastern Canada.
Liberal candidate Connie Denesiuk chose to join her party early. Polls earlier today showed her trailing incumbent Richard Cannings (NDP) and the conservative challenger Helena Konanz. She was happy to see the Liberals pulling ahead.
“I’m thrilled that Canadians have chosen to move forward rather than backwards. We will see a Liberal government that will work to make people’s lives better, the middle class and Canadians, rather than what I was fearful of what could occur under Andrew Scheer’s cuts. So I’m thrilled that we’re moving forward in this country toward investing in Canadians and investing in Canada,” said Denesiuk, adding that she was still positive for the party if the result was a minority parliament. “We have always worked well with others, there’s no reason to think we won’t continue to work well with others and accomplish the things we need to do for Canadians.”
Sean Taylor, running for the People’s Party, said he was thrilled with the experience.
” I’m blown away with how well I’ve been received down here, and the support from all the PPCers all over the riding. I would have preferred to have a longer runway, I feel like we were just hitting our stride now. I feel stoked, I think it went really well for us,” said Taylor. “I have no idea how it’s going to go. We could see a surprise, I think Canada is going to be surprised with our showing. I hope it’s going to be a good one.”
Konanz’s supporters were positive about the outcome. Watching the poll results come in across the country at the Penticton Golf and Country Club, Sherlock Oh, a local entrepreneur, said he is still hopeful Konanz will win the seat.
“I’m waiting for a big win for Helena Konanz,” he said. “As you see the situation on the TV right now, the Liberals are declining and the Conservatives are doing pretty good, so Canadians are right now changing their party. I’m very hopeful.”
