Fragiskatos re-elected in London North Centre for a third time

It was a tight race, but voters in London North Centre have decided the riding will stay Liberal.

Incumbent Peter Fragiskatos of the Liberal Party has secured his third victory during the 44th federal election. Elections Canada had Fragiskatos pulling in 36 per cent of the vote with 150 out of 187 polling stations reporting. Prior to the results coming in, he held a tight lead ahead of runner up Dirka Prout of the New Democrats who trailed behind by about 2,000 votes.

In third, was Stephen Gallant of the Conservatives then People’s Party candidate Marc Emery and Mary Ann Hodge of the Green Party.

Prout ran a competitive campaign against Fragiskatos as the results for the riding trickled in slowly nearly an hour after London’s other ridings were called. Prout and the NDP received more of a nod from the riding during this election coming ahead of the PC Party.

While the election period was shorter than usual, it felt much longer for the candidates and constituents.

Fragiskatos told Blackburn News London early Tuesday morning that “it’s the biggest honour” and he’s grateful the riding has chosen to trust him for the third time when it comes to representing their interests in Ottawa.

A large issue for most political platforms during this election centred on how the government plans to get the country through the COVID-19 pandemic.

Fragiskatos acknowledged getting Londoners through the pandemic is a priority, however there are several other issues he plans to continue working on.

“I want to make sure that the progress we’ve been able to make through the federal program known as the National Housing Strategy continues. It is the federal government’s answer to homelessness,” Fragiskatos said. He added child care and climate change are also issues the Liberal incumbent plans to bring forward to parliament in the coming months as his riding’s constituents, regardless of their political affiliation, have brought the topics to his attention.

Fragiskatos has held the riding since 2015. The area has primarily stayed red since the early 2000s, apart from former Conservative Susan Truppe who turned the area blue in the 41st federal election in 2011.

When asked about how another minority government will affect Londoners who may be feeling frustrated by the results, Fragiskatos said he plans to fight for all voices.

“Politics doesn’t matter to me, what matters to me is democracy and representing people,” said Fragiskatos. “I want to continue to listen that is the key to politics, that is the key to making meaningful change.”

While Fragiskatos plans to get right back to work serving the area, he added he is especially looking forward to the next several months ahead as he and his wife Katy anticipate the arrival of their daughter sometime next month.

Read original story from London Ontario – BlackburnNews.com