It wasn't even close.
Despite a notion that the Green Party might be able to ride the wave locally created by Mike Schreiner in the provincial election, it was Liberal Lloyd Longfield who dominated when it came to October's federal election.
Longfield was reelected to a second term by a huge margin, defeating Green candidate Steve Dyck by over 11,000 votes and third-place finisher Conservative Ashish Sachan by more than 15,500 votes.
”I am just thrilled and delighted to represent you for another four years,” Longfield told supporters at the end of the 40-day election campaign that gathered to hear his victory speech at the eBar.
It was the eighth consecutive federal election won by the Liberals in Guelph, totalling more than 25 years.
“It was very divisive at the top and it was discouraging to see the personal attacks rather than focusing on issues like climate change and women’s rights — things that really matter to Canadians,” said Longfield of the election overall.
There were nine candidates running locally, including two independents.
For the most part it was a civil and quiet local campaign, with some grumblings about certain candidates not invited to all the debates that happened.
Two federal leaders visited during the campaign: Green Party's Elizabeth May and the new People's Party of Canada leader Maxime Bernier, who appeared at a secret location for fears of conflict with protesters.
Voter turnout in Guelph was 72 per cent, down slightly from the last election but still well ahead of the national average of 66 per cent.
