The provincial NDP leader says their by-election win in Halifax yesterday could mean change is on the way.
They’ve held the riding since 1998 but NDP leader Gary Burrill says the outcome wasn’t a given.
“The Liberal Party had a formidable candidate,” he says, “and that we were able to prevail under those circumstances I think says something.”
Lisa Roberts took the seat with 51% of the vote.
Burrill says the win shows people in the province are liking the NDP message.
“The ideas we’ve been putting forward like a $15 minimum wage and a very serious program to eliminate child poverty in the province, that these are idea’s who’s time has come.”
Roberts will hold the seat until a provincial election is called.
Burrill says she has every intention of running again.
“What a tremendous day this is for our NDP community.” Read Gary’s post-by-election message. #HalifaxNeedham #nspoli https://t.co/UgmwhQO7Pv
— Gary Burrill (@GaryBurrill) August 31, 2016
Meanwhile, John Gillis is the president of the Nova Scotia Liberal party.
He says while the Liberals didn’t get the result they were looking for, he doesn’t feel it reflects the government’s approval across the province.
“I don’t see this as an indictment of the government, I see this as a by-election in a very strong NDP riding.”
Gillis says he is disappointed for their candidate Rod Wilson.
But he respects the will of the voters and wishes the new NDP MLA Lisa Roberts well.
