Liberal candidate Charles Sousa declared victory in the Mississauga–Lakeshore federal byelection on Monday night.
At the time of publication, with 220 polls reported, Sousa received 51.4% of the vote defeating Conservative candidate Ron Chhinzer who received 37.3% of the vote.
Meanwhile, NDP candidate Julia Kole got 4.8%, Green candidate Mary Kidnew received 3.1% and PPC candidate Khaled Al-Sudani walked away with 1.2%.
Late into the evening the Liberals put out an official statement welcoming Sousa as an MP.
A Mainstreet Research poll just prior to voting day projected that Sousa would win the byelection.
The seat was held by former Liberal MP Sven Spengemann who resigned from his position to take on a new role at the United Nations.
Former Conservative MP Stella Ambler held the seat for one term until 2015. Prior to 2011, a Liberal MP represented the community since 1993.
On Monday, Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre tweeted a message of support for Chhinzer.
“The people of Mississauga-Lakeshore have a strong Conservative candidate to vote for in today’s by-election,” said Poilievre.
“With 20 years in law enforcement as a police officer & anti-gang expert (Chhinzer) will be a strong advocate to tackle crime & restore safe streets in Mississauga.”
The byelection was the first of its kind since Poilievre was overwhelmingly elected leader of the federal Conservatives earlier this year.
Prior to his newfound role as an MP, Sousa served as Ontario’s minister of finance under former Liberal premier Kathleen Wynne’s government.
He also held Ontario’s immigration ministry and labour ministry files.
