Former Liberal MP Kent Hehr has lost his seat in the riding of Calgary Centre, with Conservative candidate Greg McLean beating him out as the federal Liberals won a minority government.
Hehr, a former Alberta MLA, was fighting for re-election following nearly a year of scandal in light of sexual harassment allegations from several women.
The former Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities, resigned from the Liberal cabinet a day after the allegations surfaced, but stayed as a member of the party caucus and as the MP for Calgary Centre.
McLean has spent his career working in finance, according to the Conservative party website, and spent six years advising two cabinet ministers on a federal level in three separate portfolios.
At his concession speech at the Palace Theatre on Monday night, Hehr thanked his team and the time they devoted to the campaign.
“We knocked doors, we stuffed envelopes, we went out there with a positive message each and every day, and I am so proud of every one of you,” he said onstage.
Hehr congratulated McLean, calling him a “classy guy” who will do an excellent job of representing the people of Calgary Centre.
“He always treats me with dignity and respect, and that’s what you like: a person you can have conversations with,” he said to members of the media. “I know Greg’s going to do a super job as a member of Parliament for Calgary Centre.”
Hehr thanked his wife, Deanna Holt, for her support and love when times got tough or spirits were mean. They shared a kiss onstage.
Hehr said he had four good years taking his electors’ voices to Ottawa, and 12 years in the business as an MLA and MP.
“I’ve gotten to share my life with people, far and wide, hear their hopes, their cares, their concerns, and it has truly been an honour to work alongside them,” Hehr said.
He said Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau worked as hard as he could to put forward an agenda on climate change action and to get Alberta resources to market.
“I was the name on the ballot, and at the end of the day, it’s my voters who didn’t send me back to Ottawa. So it’s a combination of things and ultimately, if you look at the work we did, I thought we had a chance to win it, but it wasn’t in the cards tonight,” Hehr said.
Hehr said he wants to go to a movie with his wife and to his nephew’s hockey game.
“I don’t think I’ve seen a movie in three years — little things like that. I’m going to take some time. I’ve got to figure out who I am outside Kent the politician,” he said.
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