Winnipeg Free Press

Winnipeg Free Press (Newspaper) - September 21, 2021, Winnipeg, Manitoba C M Y K PAGE B1 VOTE●CANADA ASSOCIATE EDITOR, NEWS: STACEY THIDRICKSON 204-697-7292 ● CITY.DESK@FREEPRESS.MB.CA ● WINNIPEGFREEPRESS.COM B1 TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 21, 2021 SECTION BCONNECT WITH WINNIPEG’S NO. 1 NEWS SOURCE▼ A N election campaign framed as a crucial choice for defin-ing how Canada will emerge out of COVID-19 produced under- whelming results — with the Liberals returning with a minority govern- ment and little change to Manitoba’s political map. Just one riding remained in play at midnight, with less than 400 votes between the two leading candidates in Charleswood—St. James—Assini- boia—Headingley. Conservative incumbent Marty Mo- rantz was leading with 39 per cent of counted votes over Liberal candidate Doug Eyolfson (37.6 per cent), with 159 of 170 polls reporting. The west Winnipeg riding could be decided Tuesday, with more than 3,400 special ballots (including mail-in) to be counted by Elections Canada. As the results rolled in Monday night, Eyolfson dined with about 50 supporters at the Cork & Flame res- taurant. In a thank-you speech to his campaign team, the ER doctor said he had no regrets. “We could not have done anything different; we could not have done any- thing better,” he said, adding Monday’s preliminary national results reflect, “Tonight is a good night for Canadi- ans.” Morantz didn’t hold a public gather- ing and declined to be interviewed until the results are known. “Everyone anticipated that this was going to be a close race,” Morantz said in a written statement to the Free Press. “There are a lot more votes to be counted, after which I will be happy to comment further.” Otherwise, Manitoba’s incumbent MPs were able to quickly claim victory Monday night. Liberal incumbent Jim Carr (Win- nipeg South Centre) said his party had made tough decisions that turned some supporters away, but he felt it still has the trust of most Canadians. “There’s always a sense of satisfac- tion and relief after a campaign, and this was a tough campaign,” he said in an interview. “I’m grateful for the trust they put in me, and I’m ready to go.” Re-elected Conservative MP for Kildonan—St. Paul, Raquel Dancho, said it was an election nobody wanted. “I am extremely concerned about the division in this country,” she told reporters in a videoconference late Monday, saying the country is split along regional and urban-rural lines. “That is critical, that we bring Ca- nadians together, and bring down the temperature a little bit, and ensure that Canadians are seeing their parlia- mentarians lead with compassion and dignity and respect.” DYLAN ROBERTSON ● CONTINUED ON B2 MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Winnipeg South Centre Liberal incumbent Jim Carr celebrates his win at his election night party at Fionn MacCool’s Monday night. Carr scored a decisive victory over former Conservative MP Joyce Bateman. JESSICA LEE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Liberal candidate Terry Duguid arrives at Nicolino’s Restaurant on Monday night to celebrate his win in Winnipeg South. JASON HALSTEAD / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Kevin Lamoureux, Liberal candidate for Winnipeg North, celebrates victory at his campaign office Monday night. MIKE SUDOMA / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Leah Gazan, centre, and party supporters watch results come in last night. The NDP MP was easily re-elected in Winnipeg Centre. JOHN WOODS / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Doug Eyolfson, Liberal candidate in Charles- wood-St James-Assiniboia-Headingley, remains in contention for his old seat. Only one riding left in play as 13 other incumbents reclaim seats Political landscape unchanged B_01_Sep-21-21_FP_01.indd B1 2021-09-21 12:59 AM ;