Incumbent NDP MLA Kathy Corrigan seems to have narrowly held onto her seat this election, but there was little elation when her win was announced at her partys gathering in Burnaby tonight.
Corrigan and fellow candidate Raj Chouhan were joined by supporters at an NDP Burnaby campaign office, where the evening started upbeat but turned gloomy as the election results trickled in, indicating a B.C. Liberal majority.
"Right now, its looking like we might not be in government, and Im highly disappointed," Corrigan said.
The NDP will likely examine the reasons it didnt win government something both the polls and the pundits were predicting for months.
"There was definitely a pretty negative campaign by the Liberals, which I think was unfortunate, but I really am proud of Adrian Dix and the NDP for being positive," Corrigan said.
Her husband, Burnaby Mayor Derek Corrigan, didnt mince words when it came to his feelings about the Liberals.
"In no uncertain terms, this has been the worst government a government that has shown a tremendous tendency toward corruption," he said. "This government has been inclined towards doing things to the benefit of their friends."
One of the key issues in Burnaby-Deer Lake is the replacement of Burnaby Hospital, and Corrigan said she would continue to "fight" for its replacement.
Corrigan also sent well wishes to her fellow candidates Shian Gu and Rick McGowan.
Green candidate McGowan congratulated Corrigan. "Thats good," he said when told about her likely win. "Kathys been a good representative."
Liberal candidate Gu also congratulated Corrigan. While disappointed he didnt win, Gu was pleased with the Liberal majority.
"You can see which party the people like," he said.
Corrigan won her seat by just over 700 votes, according to the most up-to-date results from Elections B.C. Corrigan received 7,320 votes; Gu had 6,593, and McGowan received 1,237, according to the 131 ballot boxes that were reported.
