After 20 years with a New Democrat representative, Victoria voters made a swift shift back to the ’90s, electing a Liberal as member of parliament Monday (April 28) night.
With 244 of 245 polls reporting, Liberal Will Greaves took a dominant 39,803 votes (54.3 per cent of the vote), followed by incumbent NDP Laurel Collins with 18,376 (25 per cent); Conservative Angus Ross at 12,383; Green Party Michael Doherty 2,259; David Mohr, People's Party 268; Cody Fraser, Rhinoceros Party 107; Steve Filipovic, Independent 82; and Mary Moreau, Christian Heritage Party 81.
“Tonight the good people of Victoria have chosen a different choice and they’ve also chosen to be part of a national movement, be part of a national moment in the history of our country and to deliver a strong Liberal government back to Ottawa,” Greaves told supporters gathered at the Victoria Scottish Community Centre.
“We stand up for this country, for defending our values and our interests and our sovereignty and our economy, and to say what we want from the future and from our community is more than the other parties have put forward in this election campaign. I am deeply, deeply honoured and humbled by the trust that has been placed in me by the people of Victoria."
The atmosphere was jubilant early on in the evening as projections pointed to a Liberal government.
"I think this is just the sign of the times. We are living through a historic election right now. To see the swing, and how the polling wasn't completely accurate, is something that I was expecting,” said Victoria riding resident Kieran. "To see how the younger male crowd is shifting towards Conservatives opens up the avenue for things to look a lot different in 2029, but right now, it is obviously cool to see the Liberals projected to win a majority."
A volunteer with NDP candidate Collins’ campaign, gathered at Swans Pub for the evening, said she found many people on doorsteps liked the incumbent candidate, but were unsure how to vote.
“I did find a shift, but I did also find a lot of people were kind of torn, because Laurel has been such a strong advocate for Victoria, and she's engaged so much in the community," said Juliana Cotacil, noting while people said they loved Collins, they were going to cast their votes to support a prime minister.
NDP supporter Quinn Deo said many people were just really trying to figure out what the best choice is to keep Donald Trump out and to make sure that Canada stays safe.
“I am both prepared for nothing exciting to happen and for some really unexpected things to pop up. I mean, at least in Victoria, I know the Liberals have put a ton of money and effort into trying to flip our riding, which I think is a shame,” Deo said. “I've heard from so many people in the area how Laurel's office personally came through and no one else did. I'm inspired by her example, and honestly, I am excited to see her do the unexpected tonight.”
It was a sentiment Collins, who was elected MP in 2019, echoed later to Victoria News, calling it “a unique and historic election.”
“We saw the threats to our sovereignty and our economy from Donald Trump and I think somewhat sad that we have a voting system that so often makes people feel like they've got to choose between heads and tails,” she said.
She heard at the door people wanted to vote NDP but felt afraid.
“People on the doorstep told me ‘It’s just this one time.’”
Calling her time as MP a privilege, she looks forward to spending time with her two small children and family, offering kudos to those who helped on the campaign.
Her legacy, she said, includes work done by the NDP team on dental and pharmacare and investments in childcare.
“For me personally, picking one is hard. But the two that come to mind are the work on the climate crisis – it is the existential crisis of our time – pushing for stronger climate accountability legislation, pushing for our right to a healthy environment and pushing to eliminate fossil fuel subsidies. … But also meeting with survivors of intimate partner violence and sexual assault, I feel very privileged to have heard their stories. I am awed by their courage and I am going to keep fighting for them.”
