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EDMONTON – There is a splash of Orange on
Edmonton’s federal election map this morning as the NDP managed to
squeak out a win for candidate Linda Duncan in the riding of Edmonton Strathcona.
Duncan beat Conservative Caucus Chair Rahim Jaffer
by about 400 votes after a see-saw battle all night. At one point
Jaffer, who has been the MP for the area for eleven years, made a
victory speech, only to have to backtrack after more results came in.
CUPE Alberta President D’Arcy Lanovaz welcomed the
results, calling Duncan’s victory “an important step in balancing
Alberta’s political culture.”
“Every election Alberta elects huge numbers of
Conservatives in spite of the fact many Albertans support other
parties,” said Lanovaz. “Electing Linda Duncan ensures that Albertans
who don’t support Stephen Harper will have a voice in Parliament.”
“The Conservatives can no longer claim they speak
for all Albertans. Regular families are now represented.”
Lanovaz said his happiness with Duncan’s victory
was muted by the low voter turn out across the country. Media reports
show the turnout to be below 60%.
“When that many people are not engaged enough to
vote, it means our democracy isn’t healthy,” said Lanovaz. “Politicians
are not representing a full range of citizens, and efforts must be made
to make politics not just interesting, but exciting for all Canadians.”