GTA’s Liberal incumbents help pave the way to party victory

PC Candidate Rocco Rossi was soundly defeated by Liberal incumbent Mike Colle in the riding of Eglinton-Lawrence on Thursday night – part of a larger trend that saw the Liberals claim a minority victory on a forgettable evening for the Conservatives.

Rossi, who previously made a failed bid to become mayor of Toronto, was gracious in defeat.

“I want to send out a special congratulation to each and every person who put their name on a ballot for this election,” he said.  “I know it’s not an easy decision. It takes courage, it takes sacrifice, it takes a willingness to put yourself out there.”

As expected the GTA played a key role in shaping the political landscape in Ontario.  The Liberal victory on Thursday night was bolstered by the re-election of key Liberal incumbents throughout the region.

One of the first to be declared victorious was Kathleen Wynne in Don Valley West.  It’s the third consecutive election she’s won.  Wynne easily trounced PC Candidate Andrea Mandel-Campbell, receiving nearly double the votes.

“We have demonstrated…that when we all work together we can do whatever we set out to do,” a beaming Wynne told supporters.

One of the key issues in her riding was Muslim prayers at a Toronto public school.  Wynne vehemently defended the prayer sessions. 

“We have pushed back the politics of division. We have demonstrated that we believe that inclusion and tolerance and compassion and embracing differences is what we do in Don Valley West. And that is what Ontario is about.”

Incumbent Liberals Greg Sorbara and Laurel Broten, were also declared victors. 

Sorbara had a sizzling rivalry with former friend, PC Candidate Tony Genco, but voters unanimously decided to stick with the former Minister of Finance.

“I am feeling very humbled by the support that this riding has given to me,” Sorbara said.  “I’m thrilled that the campaign has been successful across the province.”

“Here in Vaughan, it’s a campaign that I think really ignited the imagination of the voters and they wanted to continue with the kind of positive initiatives that we’ve taken over the past eight years and that we’re proposing for the next four.”

Once again, the NDP played spoilers as their gain in seats, from 10 to 17, prevented a Liberal majority.

Incumbents Michael Prue and Cheri DiNovo reclaimed Beaches-East York and Parkdale-High Park respectively. 

“It’s an incredible accomplishment for my amazing team,” DiNovo told CityNews.

“I got into this because I wanted to do more for those who are marginalized in our community.”

Rosario Marchese held on to his seat in Trinity-Spadina as well.

In Bramalea-Gore-Malton the NDP turfed the Liberals, with Jagmeet Singh defeating incumbent Kuldip Kular.  The NDP claimed a narrow victory in Davenport, where Jonah Schein edged Liberal Cristina Martins.

Here’s a look at 10 key ridings CityNews has been following throughout the campaign.

1.) Don Valley West:

Winner: Liberal Kathleen Wynne (incumbent)

Runner up: PC Andrea Mandel-Campbell

2.) Vaughan:

Winner: Liberal incumbent Greg Sorbara

Runner up: PC Tony Genco

3.) Eglinton-Lawrence

Winner: Liberal incumbent Mike Colle

Runner up: PC Rocco Rossi

4.) Beaches-East York

Winner: NDP incumbent Michael Prue

Runner up: Liberal Helen Burstyn

5.) Parkdale – High Park

Winner: NDP incumbent Cheri DiNovo

Runner up: Liberal Cortney Pasternak

6.) Bramalea-Gore-Malton

Winner: NDP Jagmeet Singh

Runner up: Liberal incumbent Kuldip Kular

7.) Trinity-Spadina

Winner: NDP incumbent Rosario Marchese

Runner up: Liberal Sarah Thompson

8.) Etobicoke-Lakeshore

Winner: Liberal incumbent Laurel Broten

Runner up: PC Simon Nyilassy.

9.) Thornhill

Winner: PC incumbent Peter Shurman

Runner up: Liberal Bernie Farber

10.) Davenport

Winner: NDP Jonah Schein

Runner up: Liberal Christina Martins