BATTLEFORDS-LLOYDMINSTER - The incumbent Conservative Rosemarie Falk is the winner in Battlefords-Lloydminster.
Returns in 136 of 137 polls reporting indicate Falk is leading with 20,697 votes for 69.4 per cent of the vote. NDP Erik Hansen was a distant second with 3,429 for 11.5 per cent. Maverick Ken Rutherford was third with 2,113 for 7.1 per cent, Terry Sieben of the People's Party fourth with 1,798 for six per cent and Liberal Larry Ingram fifth with 1,561 for 5.2 percent. Green Kerri Wall was last with 212 or .7 percent.
News organizations projected Falk as having won the seat for the Conservatives early in the evening.
This is Falk's third straight election win after winning the 2017 by-election to replace Gerry Ritz, as well as the 2019 federal election.
Falk and her local Conservative campaign team spent election night in Lloydminster where they were watching the results come in. With the final results coming in she issued the following statement:
“Thank you to the voters in Battlefords-Lloydminster for once again putting your trust in me to be your Member of Parliament and voice in Ottawa.
“Throughout this election campaign, I have spoken to voters throughout the riding and what I have heard repeatedly, is that voters here are wanting to get our economy and country back on track. They are worried about the growing affordability crisis and the impact of debt on future generations. And rightfully, they are looking to restore competence, transparency and accountability in government.
“While the electoral results across the country may not have been what we have hoped for, I am still headed to Ottawa to fight to secure your future.
“To Erik Hansen, Larry Ingram, Ken Rutherford, Terry Sieben and Kerri Wall, congratulations on your campaigns. It takes hard work, conviction and a commitment to service to put your name on a ballot. Our democracy is only strengthened by greater participation in the democratic process.
“Tonight’s campaign win is the result of the hard work of many. Thank you to my family and volunteers for your dedicated support. Thank you to everyone who donated, took a lawn sign and, of course, to everyone who got out to vote this election.
“Standing up for families, our communities and our local economy has always been and continues to be my priority. There is still hard work ahead to secure our country and it is time to get to work.”
When contacted for comment earlier on Election Night by the News-Optimist/SASKTODAY.ca, Falk said she was closely watching the returns in both the riding and across Canada and was not yet ready to accept the national results as final — ones that indicated the return of another Liberal minority government.
"I don't want to put cart before the horse," said Falk, noting there were "lineups at some of the polling stations that extended quite a ways down."
She was referring to some of the lineups seen at polling stations in Ontario, where several polls remained open to allow those in line to cast their ballots. Falk also pointed to mail-in ballots that were yet to be counted.
"I think it speaks to the complexity of having an election during a pandemic," said Falk.
Falk said she was watching closely to see what the final results would be regarding local returns in her riding, .
"I definitely look forward to going back to Ottawa to fight on behalf of Battlefords-Lloydminster," said Falk. She said her priority would be "to continue to be that loud local voice on the floor of the House of Commons for people in Battlefords-Lloydminster but also in the caucus room."
