The New Democratic Party's reign in London-Fanshawe will continue as Lindsay Mathyssen was elected MP on Monday.
Lindsay Mathyssen will replace her mother, longtime NDP MP for London-Fanshawe, Irene Mathyssen. The pair headed to the Royal Canadian Victory branch to celebrate Lindsay's victory after the election results slowly rolled in.
She was met by cheers and signs as she entered the branch, before heading to the podium to thank her supporters, team members, volunteers and family for their support during her campaign.
"I am so proud of what we have accomplished tonight. We know that more than ever Canadians have someone who is in it for them and over this campaign, we've shown that we are going to stand up for people," she said.
Irene Mathyssen and Lindsay Mathyssen at the Royal Canadian Legion Victory branch. October 21, 2019. (Photo by Rene Dunkley)
Irene Mathyssen was first elected as MP for London-Fanshawe in 2006 and continued until 2015. Lindsay Mathyssen took a moment in her speech to thank her mother for her accomplishments.
"You have been the most incredible role model. I want to make you so proud of me because I am so proud of you. This community is better because of you. You have taken care of the people not just around you, but people in London, in Canada and around the world for so many years. Thank you. Now it's time for you to rest a little and let me take care of [it].
Going forward, Mathyssen hopes to get progressive issues into the forefront of the federal agenda.
"We're looking for pharmacare, we're looking for affordable housing, we're looking for affordable cell phone and internet fees. We want to make sure that people are safe. We want to be able to strengthen our public services. These are the things the New Democrats fight for. These are the things I'm going to continue to fight for and I am going to fight for Londoners absolutely," she said.
Elections results show that Mathyssen received 40.9 per cent of the votes, followed by Liberal candidate Mohamed Hammoud with 26.7 per cent of the votes and Conservative candidate Michael Van Holst with 24.8 per cent. The other candidates who campaigned with the riding included Green Party candidate Tom Cull, PPC candidate Bela Kosoian and Independent candidate Stephen Campbell.
