Pitt Meadows-Maple Ridge Liberal candidate Angie Rowell thanked her supporters, but was not ready to concede the election Monday evening, April 28.
However she did concede the following day when final numbers confirmed Conservative Party of Canada candidate Marc Dalton won the riding with 31,556 votes to her 30,130 votes.
"We ran a great, clean, positive campaign that we're proud of," she said, noting she is 100 per cent accepting of the results.
Final count had NDP candidate Daniel Heydenrych in third place with 4,097 votes.
Rowell arrived at the Army Navy and Air Force Veterans In Canada Branch 379 just after 10 p.m. on election night to loud applause from the packed room.
"We started off with no money, no staff, no clue, and really no plan," said Rowell of how her election campaign began.
But, she said, when the campaign was off an running she met some of the most wonderful people in her life.
She thanked her family and she thanked her "incredible core team", whom she said, she had no words big enough.
"What I said on the opening night of our office was whatever party gets the most votes in early voting is the party that's going to win," said Rowell.
"So right now, tonight, with you, I can't tell you the final outcome because they are still counting those advance votes," she told the crowd.
However, at the time, she was under the impression that thousands of advance votes had not been counted yet.
Chris Lehner, who ran for the People's Party of Canada believes people voted for the familiar in re-electing Dalton.
"We can only trust he'll voice the concerns of our neighbours and our issues in Ottawa for us. Us and our neighbours should also not hesitate in helping keep him honest and accountable," said Lehner.
Peter Buddle, with the Rhinoceros Party of Canada, made an appearance at the Rowell campaign party on election night. He said he was expecting to see a Liberal majority.
Buddle, who received 456 votes on election night, 84 more votes than Lehner, who got 372 votes, said he would have loved to have been able to say it was a “Rhino landslide”, but he didn’t enter the race for the votes.
He was bringing something to modern politics that he feels is missing – a little humour.
Some Liberal supporters voiced their disappointment that the party did not receive a majority mandate.
Pierce Bakker said he was surprised with how much of the NDP vote went to the Conservatives, he thought the Liberals would get more.
He said the outcome was disappointing because he was hoping the Liberals would end up with a majority.
"Especially if, you know, this means we are going to be going back to the polls again soon," said Bakker.
Rowell campaigned on lower taxes, a fairer EI system, and more affordable housing, which she said were the most important issues of the election.
She said the rising cost of living is the most important issue facing people in our communities as families are working hard but still struggling to keep up with the basics like groceries, rent, and bills.
Rowell also expressed the desire to modernize Employment Insurance, so it’s there when people need it. Too many who pay into the system aren’t able to access it when they’re between jobs or going through a tough time, she said.
And, Rowell said, housing has to be addressed, saying Liberal leader Mark Carney's plan to double the pace of home building to 500,000 homes a year would help bring costs down and make it easier for families to find a place they can afford.
Rowell described herself as a lifelong Maple Ridge resident who has served on several local committees to support youth and families, including the Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows Youth Center Society.
Her career in finance began in 1986 at the Bank of BC and the Maple Ridge Community Credit Union and since then she has worked in financial services, sales, and management, across North America.
She is a proud hockey and ringette mom and a part-time foster parent for 13 years.
Rowell is married with two children.
The News reached out to Heydenrych for comment after election night but didn't hear back before press deadline.
