Ravi Parmar captured the Langford-Juan de Fuca riding seat in a byelection with the New Democrat capturing more than half the vote.
Parmar received 7,224 votes for 53 per cent of the total ballots cast for the seat in the Langford-Juan de Fuca riding vacated by former premier John Horgan.
“I am so looking forward to getting out there and working for the people of Langford-Juan de Fuca on the issues that matter most to them,” Parmar told his crowd of supporters on Saturday night. “I could not have done this without you.”
Finishing in second place was Mike Harris of the B.C. Conservative Party, with 2,689 votes; in third was Camille Currie of the B.C. Green Party, who finished with 2,386 votes; Elena Lawson of the B.C. United partyended up in fourth place with 1,169 votes. Tyson Riel Strandlund of the Communist Party of B.C. finished last with 74 votes.
RELATED: Meet your Langford–Juan de Fuca byelection candidates
Sooke Mayor Maja Tait congratulated Parmar on his victory.
“We’ve worked together for several years on advocating for our community’s needs,” Tait said. “Sooke is growing and we need more schools, and I have faith Ravi will continue to address our growing needs. He’s familiar with the issues Sooke faces, including adding infrastructure and improvements to Highway 14.”
Sooke’s deputy mayor, Dana Lajeunesse said he’s impressed with Parmar’s work ethic, strong family values and the fact he’s always been willing to make himself available to learn about issues of concern to Sooke.
“He takes the time to listen and brainstorm solutions,” he said. “I believe Ravi’s close working relationship with former B.C. Minister of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation and current Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon provides him with the tools necessary to help us build a strong local economy with diverse business and employment opportunities for Sooke residents.”
Lajeunesse was also impressed by the fact that Horgan had nothing but good things to say about Parmar.
Sooke School District trustee Allison Watson, who worked with Parmar for five years while he was chair of the board of trustees, was effusive in her praise for Parmar’s work on the school board.
“I’m really excited for Ravi,” said Watson, a director with the B.C. School Trustees Association. “He really cares about education and he’s worked so hard and done so much. He has a good heart.
“It’s been great to work with him and it’s sad to see him go, but I’m not worried about the school board moving forward. We have a great board, and Amanda Dowhy has done a great job as acting chair.”
Parmar’s victory will likely mean a byelection will be needed to fill Parmar’s spot on the Sooke School Board.
– With files from Black Press and the Canadian Press
