After being re-elected as Niagara Centre’s MP Monday night, Badawey thanked a room full of Liberal supporters and family who had gathered at the Black Sheep Lounge, saying that he’s eager to “get back to work.”
Badawey called his opponents—Conservative candidate April Jeffs and NDP candidate Malcolm Allen, and Green Party candidate Michael Tomaino —“great candidates.”
“It’s a great feeling,” to win, he said, but it came with “A lot of hard work. We worked hard on this one. We worked hard. Thank you, thank you, thank you, because without you guys, this would not have happened.”
While the economy, jobs, health care, children’s issues, seniors’ issues and housing are priorities for the riding, Badawey told ThoroldNews he heard while campaigning in Thorold that affordable housing was most important to Thorold residents.
“I’ve been doing this for 24 years and you learn quickly you are here for the people; you are here for the riding. I’m a riding guy, and we want to make sure that all the concerns are looked after up in Ottawa. They hear it loud and clear. We’re now getting that message out loud and clear.”
“Niagara riding is turning a corner,” said Badawey. “We are a transport hub, and we want to continue to strengthen that … We want to make sure we have a robust work force,” he added, citing partnerships with Brock University, Niagara College, and local high schools “to ensure our youngsters get into the skilled trades."
“I have a private motion I brought to the House,” he pointed out.
His Private Member Bill M-227 states: That the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities be instructed to undertake a study of the creation of a federal trades strategy.
Asked about the prospect of a Liberal minority government, Badawey said, “For the last four years, I’ve been able to work with the other parties, in particular, with issues we share. When you work on an issue that people share, you work together. In the last four years, I’ve been privileged to go to the House of Commons and be one of 338 ridings. I just want to go back to work."
“Thank you for putting me back in that seat, to ensure Niagara Centre moves forward, contributing to the province of Ontario, and all of Canada. Like (Barack) Obama said when he was here a few years ago, the world needs more Canada, and we’re going to give it to him.”
In other Niagara Ridings, Liberal Chris Bittle was returned in St. Catharines, as was Conservative Dean Allison in Niagara West. Winning the Niagara Falls riding was Tony Baldinelli, holding onto the seat of his predecessor, Rob Nicholson, who retired.
Niagara Centre results:
- 19,529 Vance Badawey - LIB
- 17,415 April Jeffs - CON
- 14,933 Malcolm Allen - NDP
- 2,882 Michael Tomaino - GRN
- 744 Andrew Sainz-Nieto - PPC
- 300 Nic Bylsma - CHP
- 72 Robert Walker - ML
