Former Liberal MP Randy Boissonnault lost his seat in Edmonton Centre to Conservative James Cumming in Monday night’s federal election.
In 2015, Boissonnault won the riding by 1,199 votes. Cumming, who also ran in the last federal election, placed second.
“So this is what it feels like! It feels good,” Cumming said at his headquarters on Monday. “I am so honoured… This happened because we have an incredible team, an unbelievable group of people.
“We won this with hard work and tenacity.”
Cumming is the former president and CEO of the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce. He campaigned with a focus on creating jobs and attracting investment.
“I made a few promises when I said I’d run for office and I will maintain those promises. I am here to represent all the constituents of Edmonton Centre. I’ll do that with all my heart and I can assure you I will stand up for everybody in this riding, not just the conservatives, but everybody in this riding that deserves our support.
“There’s going to be a lot of work to do and I promise to fulfill that task.”
In his speech, Cumming vowed to maintain his integrity.
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“The James you see today will be the James you see four years from now, I promise you that.”
He also acknowledged his opponent, saying public service is not an easy job.
“I think we should give a round of applause for all of those who entered into this race, who competed, competed hard, and Randy Boissonnault for his four years of service. Let’s give them a huge round of applause,” Cumming said.
“Let’s make the next four years working on things that bring us together, that don’t pull us apart,” he said. “Let’s get Alberta working again.”
For nine years before Boissonnault won, the Edmonton Centre riding was a Conservative one — represented by Laurie Hawn. In 2004, Liberal Anne McLellan held the riding.
“Edmonton means everything and I know Edmonton means everything to you and your families,” Boissonnault told supporters on Monday night.
He thanked his family and was joined on stage by his partner David and his mother Shirley, who he called his inspiration.
“This has been a long campaign, a passionate campaign and at times, a divisive campaign. There have been strong feelings on all sides. But tonight is about looking forward, about working together, about honoring our Canadian values.”
Boissonnault said he’s been humbled by the opportunity to serve.
“In the last four years, we cut child poverty in Alberta in half, we doubled the number of refugees we welcomed to this country, we approved TMX for 50,000 jobs and that pipeline is under construction. We invested $70 billion to fight climate change.”
Boissonnault thanked his team and supporters, calling them hard-working and inspiring. He said he is relentlessly committed to Edmonton Centre, an advocate for minorities and will always stand up to injustice.
“I will always be the first openly-gay MP elected from Alberta to the federal parliament,” Boissonnault said.
As of 10:30 p.m. MT, all but one Alberta riding had been declared as wins for the Conservatives. The remaining riding – Edmonton Strathcona – was declared a win for the NDP candidate.
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