Third time unlucky for Conservative Carmichael

One of East York’s marquee matchups on Monday was also a rematch: incumbent Conservative MP John Carmichael versus Liberal challenger Rob Oliphant.

This election marked the third time in a row that Oliphant and Carmichael have competed to represent Don Valley West in the House of Commons.

Carmichael lost in 2008. But he won in 2011.

On Monday, he lost again.

The polls had already hinted that Carmichael was on the wrong end of the Liberal wave that seemed to be building in the run-up to the election. Sill, at Carmichael’s election night party at the Amsterdam Brewery in Leaside, some remained optimistic.

“I’m confident. I’m hoping. I’m wishing hopeful, positive thoughts,” said Brenda Elliott.

But others seemed to see the political writing on the wall. And when the first returns started coming in, they were candid.

“I feel, unfortunately, that people just want change,” said the candidate’s sister, Julie Carmichael. “But I’m not sure they know what they’re getting into.”

Oliphant ultimately dominated the polls, raking in a 53 per cent share to Carmichael’s 37 per cent.

“I think we ran a great campaign, so I’m disappointed,” Carmichael said. “It was a great fight. The other guys ran a great campaign, we ran a great campaign, they came out on top. That’s how it works.”

Carmichael repeated that sentiment when he made a pilgrimage to Oliphant’s headquarters to congratulate him on his electoral victory.

John Carmichael's family and his associates stand by him in good spirits as he gives his concession speech.

In the above photo, John Carmichael concedes Monday’s election, flanked by his family. Photo by Eric Pember, East York Observer

About this article

By: Eric Pember
Posted: Oct 21 2015 9:41 pm
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Filed under: Canada Votes 2015 News
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