Ottawa

Election night in Toronto-Danforth

Polls are now closed in Toronto-Danforth and returns should start appearing here soon.

Riding history and previous results are here.

8:52pm. This billboard continues to strike me as an interesting political appeal worthy of further study and consideration. Or perhaps it just reminds me of the Take That song.

8:58pm. The NDP’s Craig Scott takes the first poll with 49 of 79 votes.

9:02pm. This advert, from Liberal candidate Grant Gordon, was also interesting. Mostly because of who was leader of the Liberal party less than a year ago and what that individual did before entering politics.

9:08pm. Ten polls into the night, the NDP share of the vote is just below where it was for Jack Layton last May (58.2/60.8). Conservative share is down nine points, Liberal share is up 12.

9:15pm. A Grid interview with Mr. Scott is here.

9:20pm. Twenty-five polls counted: NDP 59%, Liberals 29%, Conservatives 6%, Greens 4%.

9:28pm. Fifty polls counted: NDP 58%, Liberals 30%, Conservatives 6%, Greens 5%

9:33pm. And the Liberals have conceded.

9:37pm. Seventy-five polls counted and the NDP and Liberal percentages are holding. The Conservatives are barely holding off the Greens for a distant third. To save everyone a lot of time, let’s imagine tomorrow’s spin now. Conservatives: Who cares? We weren’t going to win anyway! NDP: We won! And look how bad the Conservatives did! Liberals: Our share of the vote went way up! And look how bad the Conservatives did! Greens: We almost beat the Conservatives!

9:47pm. Nycole Turmel’s press secretary proclaims victory.

9:57pm. The party percentages through 120 polls, with changes from 2011 in parentheses.

NDP 59.2 (-1.6)
Liberals 28.9 (+11.2)
Conservatives 5.1 (-9.2)
Greens 4.8 (-1.7)

10:04pm. Craig Scott, who is apparently nine feet tall, accepts his democratic mandate. Alice Funke throws in her two cents. And Ms. Turmel has released a statement.

“For seven years, Jack Layton stood up for Toronto-Danforth families. Starting tonight, Craig will pick up where Jack left off. Craig has spent his life fighting for people and will serve Toronto-Danforth with passion and dedication…

“Families I spoke to understood that this by-election was about protecting the things that mattered to them. The Conservative budget next week will slash jobs, retirement savings and vital services. It’s more important than ever to have a strong opposition… 

“In Parliament and in communities like Toronto-Danforth, New Democrats are holding the Conservatives accountable and proposing practical solutions to help families get ahead. Craig will strengthen our team and we look forward to seeing him in Ottawa.”

And that’s that. Goodnight from the Macleans.ca by-election headquarters.

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