Lethbridge Conservative candidate Rachael Harder at her election night headquarters. (Lethbridge News Now)

By Lara Fominoff and David Opinko

Conservatives sweep southern Alberta in federal election

Oct 22, 2019 | 1:16 AM

LETHBRIDGE — Although the numbers still need to be officially confirmed, it looks as though all four of southern Alberta’s Conservatives incumbents will be re-elected.

In Lethbridge, Incumbent Rachael Harder thanked her team of interns, campaign assistants, door-knockers and dozens of others who worked on her campaign, telling them “together, we will build a vibrant future here. And it is my privilege to serve as your member of parliament.”

As the song “We Are Family” played to cheers after her acceptance speech, Harder spent time greeting dozens of supporters, but did not speak to media until nearly an hour later, indicating that she wanted to wait until Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer made his speech first. However, Harder changed her mind as many of her supporters slowly began to filter out of the Paradise Canyon ballroom where her event was being held.

She said she didn’t take the win for granted, and wanted to stay humble.

“I really believe in working for a win, in working for a victory. I believe in not taking things for granted and relationship building is really important to me.”

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She said the election showed the Conservatives not only in Lethbridge but throughout the province had people’s support. Her task now she said, was to help to hold the Federal Liberals to account on the economy, to continue to build infrastructure across the country, to maintain good international relationships and to stand up for families.

However, she did admit some disappointment that her party didn’t win a majority.

“Unfortunately the country didn’t go in the direction that we were hoping it would go. Of course, we wanted to form a Conservative government. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen tonight. Hopefully, we’ll have an opportunity to do that within a short period of time. But in the meantime, Canadians have trusted us to be the official opposition. To be the voice of Canadians holding the government to account. And so we’re going to take that seriously.”

As for what any coalitions or alliances may form in the coming days between the various parties, she said it was too soon to speculate.

You can see the full election results for all of Canada on LNN’s website here.

For southern Alberta’s four ridings, the results are as follows:

LETHBRIDGE:

• Rachael Harder (Cons) – 41,580
• Shandi Bleiken (NDP) – 9,419
• Amy Bronson (Liberal) – 8,642
• Stephnie Watson (Green) – 1,999
• Grant Hepworth (PPC) – 1,025
• Marc Slingerland (CHP) – 674

FOOTHILLS:

• John Barlow (Cons) – 52,907
• Cheryl Moller (Liberal) – 3,765
• Mickail Hendi (NDP) – 3,641
• Bridget Lacey (Green) – 2,309
• Greg Hession (PPC) – 1,668

MEDICINE HAT-CARDSTON-WARNER:

• Glen Motz (Cons) – 41,498
• Elizabeth Thomsen (NDP) – 4,530
• Harris Kirshenbaum (Liberal) – 3,467
• Andrew Nelson (PPC) – 1,341
• Shannon Hawthorne (Green) – 1,165
• Dave Phillips (Independent) – 333

BOW RIVER:

• Martin Shields (Cons) – 45,691
• Margaret Rhemtulla (Liberal) – 3,104
• Lynn Macwilliam (NDP) – 3,010
• Tom Ikert (PCC) – 1,302
• Hendrika Maria Tuithof de Jonge (Green) – 805
• Tom Lipp (CHP) – 445