SMITH HOLDS RIDING FOR TORIES IN RACE THAT WASN’T THAT CLOSE AGAINST GREENS
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com
PARRY SOUND-MUSKOKA — Graydon Smith is “extremely humbled” to be the new MPP.
The Conservative won, who the riding by more than 2,100 votes over the Greens’ Matt Richter, said he was “not surprised that it was a close race.”
Smith received the support of 20,216 voters, Richter 18,102.
The difference was 2,813 votes that went to parties other than the PCs, Greens and NDP.
“It was quite night and obviously an exciting night,” the first time PC candidate and now soon to be departing Bracebridge mayor said after he watch the results come in at Kirrie Glen golf course west of his hometown.
He received a congratulatory phone call from retiring MPP Norm Miller, but hadn’t spoken to Premier Doug Ford who won a second PC government majority.
“I’m extremely humbled by the support of so many who put me in this position and I’m ready to get to work,” said Smith who topped the polls with – votes.
“I’m here to serve everyone in the entire riding and I’m looking forward to that opportunity,” he told MuskokaTODAY.com.
He said he was “gratified with the result, but I’m not surprised that it was close race. Because it was very clear that there was a lot of support for my competitor out there, because they ran a great campaign. Matt’s a tremendous person and I’m honoured to know him.”
Smith said he will “be happy to talk to him about what he’s learned, what he’s hearing, thinking and how we can incorporate all that in to representing, again, not just people who voted for him, but everybody within the riding who wants to have a conversation and have a voice. And find out where we want to go together.”
Smith said he’ll be taking to Queen’s Park local “issues around affordability,” which he said he heard most about while knocking at doors in riding with the lowest average household income in Ontario.
“That is the No. 1 issue. People are really concerned about how expensive life has gotten very, very rapidly. … I think the PC government and premier Ford has been very clear he wants to tackle affordability issues very quickly and take some concrete steps and provide relief to people. Whether that’s through the gas tax or getting more homes built. “The other thing, of course,” said Smith, “is people are concerned about is health care in this area. We’ve got an older population. They want to make sure the facilities, the people and the services they need to have for adequate health care are there for them when they need them.”
Smith said tonight’s close result shows “obviously environmental issues are also important to people. We’re so blessed to live in such pristine and beautiful part of Muskoka. And I think I can be leader in that conversation as well. Making sure everyone’s voices are heard.”
“Everyone’s concerned about it these days. I don’t think it’s an either or proposition; that you’re member of one party that means you don’t believe in something else. I think as an MPP we’re here to listen to everybody and find out what those concerns are and work on those things. Everybody’s concerned about the environment. Everybody wants to make sure we’re taking concrete steps in that direction.”
Smith added “There are new people in the riding and their voices count, too. It doesn’t matter if you’ve been here 100 years, 10 years or 10 seconds. If you’re someone that’s living here your opinion absolutely matters. And we’ve got a robust seasonal population and even though they don’t vote in provincial elections (locally) we want to hear from them. We want to find out what’s important to them.”
Also, said Smith, is “the opportunity to work with municipalities and make sure we’ve got strong municipalities throughout Parry Sound-Muskoka and getting hear what they need. So that’s another important set of voices.
“Lots of conversations to have. Lots of different subjects to talk about. And I’m sure my phone will be really busy, really quickly.”
Conservatives rallied when it became clear the Greens were on their tail in the close race.
Richter finished a strong second from 2018 with 18,102 votes; New Democrat Erin Horvath had 3,391.
Richter was hoping to become the second Green MPP with Leader Mike Schreiner who won his second seat in Guelph.
The other four candidates amounted to 2,813 votes, which saw Andrew John Cocks (ONP) 1,649, Doug Maynard (NBO) 883, Daniel Predie Jr. 155 and Brad Waddell (PPR) 126.
The total PS-M eligible voters were 83,570 — and the turnout was 53.28 per cent.
The Conservatives won overall with 83 seats, the NDP 31, the Liberals 8 and one independent candidate.
Official Opposition Leader Andrea Horwath and Liberal Leader Steven Del Duca, who lost his seat, both stepped down right after the election.
Bracebridge Mayor Graydon Smith said he would serve all residents Conservative, Green, New Democrats and others.
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