Liberal candidate reflects on the federal election, loss

Provencher Liberal candidate Trevor Kirczenow expressed his appreciation for the Liberal win nationally and his disappointment in the Provencher results in a statement on Tuesday.

In his statement, Kirczenow said he was relieved by the general election win by the Liberal party and that the country was in good hands with Mark Carney and that “Canadians’ democratic and human rights will continue to be protected.”

Provencher saw an uptick in voters this election compared to the last federal election in 2021. The liberals were up 5,000 votes this election winning 26 percent of the vote to the conservatives’ 66 percent of the vote, or 34,194 votes.

“Here in Provencher, of course I wish the result had been different, but I’m grateful for the substantial support I received,” he wrote.

Kirczenow also indicated that this election was a difficult one for him saying he was met with daily roadblocks by Conservative voters in the district who actively tried to prevent him and his team from campaigning and from meeting people who supported him.

“At the doors, I often spoke with voters who felt alone in their progressive values. I was saddened to hear from voters who were scared to put up a Liberal sign or to be seen speaking with me because of what they feared their neighbours might do to them,” he wrote.

He also stated the votes showed there were still people in Provencher that respected women’s rights and 2SLGBTQ rights and rejected election interference, the spread of misinformation, and intimidation tactics.

“I hope that Poilievre’s loss of his own seat will give Conservatives pause, and encourage them to reflect on a better, kinder path forward for their party,” he stated.

Kirczenow ended his statement by thanking those who supported him and volunteered for him and he appreciated the constituents who shared their stories.

“It took all the nerve I had to put myself out there day after day, and I could never have done it without the volunteers and supporters who put up signs, walked with me, made phone calls, and constantly encouraged me along the way,” he wrote.

The Liberals won a minority government on Monday night with 169 seats in the Commons compared to the Conservatives’ 144 seats.