Maybe next time: Gingras

Photo: Kate Bouey

With early results showing the Conservative candidate ahead in North Okanagan Shuswap, New Democrat supporters were subdued.

At what was supposed to be a victory party at the Prestige Hotel in Vernon, Jacqui Gingras' campaign team sat glumly Monday evening, watching the televised results and eating from a buffet.

“I'm shocked, annoyed and angry,” said Paula Shields, as she watched the Conservative lead grow.

“They don't deserve it at all.”

Sheilds blamed the New Democrat collapse in the East on the niqab issue and leader Tom Mulcair's opposition to a ban on the Muslim face covering at citizenship ceremonies.

She said people were “played and distracted.”

As local results poured in with Gingras in third place, Kathryn MacDonald said she was still hopeful.

A number of polls ahead of the election had put Gingras slightly ahead of Tory rival Mel Arnold.

Meanwhile, Kerry Parks said the NDP job would be to “keep the Liberals feet to the fire” and ensure they follow through on campaign promises including revising Bill C-51, Canada's terrorism laws, and electoral reform.

Gingras finally showed up to concede defeat as Mulcair was doing the same thing via TV. Preliminary results showed her in third place behind Arnold and Liberal Cindy Derkaz.

She thanked volunteers and her campaign team. “You have built relationships that will last a very long time.”

"It was a wild ride – ups and downs and ups and downs tonight," Gingras said.

The crowd laughed as she told them, “We have four years to rest.”

“Maybe next time,” said Gingras' father, Leo.