France Gélinas, the popular NDP MPP incumbent in Nickel Belt, has routed her competition once again in the provincial election.
Gélinas was re-elected with 63 per cent of the popular vote. Her closest competition, PC candidate Jo-Ann Cardinal, took a mere 21 per cent of the vote in the rural riding surrounding Sudbury.
Liberal Party candidate Tay Butt received 8.73 per cent of the vote. Meanwhile, Green Party candidate Bill Crumplin had 3.12 per cent.
Gélinas and her supporters — sporting bright orange shirts — gathered at Signatures Restaurant in Val Caron.
From the get-go, the atmosphere in the room was that of excitement. Entire families, some bearing congratulatory bouquets of flowers, were on hand to wish the popular incumbent well and offer their kudos on Gélinas solid win. The NDP health critic worked the room, talking well-wishers and interacting with those who had gathered to offer their support.
Soon after the polls closed, and the numbers had started to pour in, the crowd rejoiced, knowing Gélinas had been re-elected to the Nickel Belt riding.
“I have been in this riding for 11 years, and today once again people have shown that they are voting for change, for better health care. This would not be possible without the support of the people,” Gélinas said in her victory speech.
Tonight's results echo those of the 2014 election, when Gélinas won more than 60 per cent of the vote.
The NDP has held the riding since 1971.
Another popular NDPer, Elie Martel, represented the former Sudbury East riding from 1967-1987. His daughter, Shelley, represented the ridings of Sudbury East and Nickel Belt from 1987 to 2007, and incidentally worked on Gélinas' re-election campaign.
So what can Nickel Belt expect now that Gélinas is back in office?
“Its time to advocate for better health care, for more mental health resources in the North. We are going to say no to hallway medicine and get the people the care that they deserve,” Gélinas said.
Gélinas was not the only NDPer celebrating a victory in the North. Jamie West defeated Liberal Glenn Thibeault in Sudbury, taking a little more than 48 per cent of the vote.
