PEOPLE 11
ELECTION 2017 3
‘Lovebirds’ of the community honoured by city
Unofficial election numbers
FOR THE BEST LOCAL
COVERAGE WEDNESDAY MAY 10, 2017
There’s more at Burnabynow.com
LOCAL NEWS – LOCAL MATTERS
GO TO PAGE 23
ELECTION 2017
It’s an NDP sweep in Burnaby All four city ridings now in NDP hands By Julie MacLellan
jmaclellan@burnabynow.com
It was a wild ride Tuesday night at Burnaby’s NDP election headquarters – but, in the end, the ride stopped just where Team Orange wanted it to. Supporters were riding an emotional rollercoaster as they watched provincial results come in on the big screen at the Burnaby Firefighters’ Public House, with Liberal and NDP results seesawing across the province. At press time, Burnaby appeared set for an orange sweep, New Democrats were leading or elected in all four of the city’s ridings: Raj Chouhan in BurnabyEdmonds, Anne Kang in Burnaby-Deer Lake, Katrina Chen in Burnaby-Lougheed and Janet Routledge in Burnaby North. Chouhan, the only candidate to arrive early in the evening, was the first whose seat looked secure. As of press time, Chouhan had 8,892 votes to Liberal opponent Garrison Duke’s 5,422, returning him to office with an easy margin. He appeared relaxed through the night, chatting with supporters and watching with a smile as his Burnaby compatriots began to take the lead in their respective ridings. “This was the first time all four campaigns worked so close together, each and every day,” he said in his victory speech, adding a heartfelt thank you to the volunteers. “We only won because of you.” Chouhan was enthusiastic in his welcome to Kang – who arrived shortly before 10 p.m., beaming and carrying a bouquet of flowers. “Now we have a very dynam-
ORANGE CRUSH: Raj Chouhan and Anne Kang celebrate their victories at the NDP election night party at the Firefighters’ Public House. They’re joined by retired Burnaby-Deer Lake MLA Kathy Corrigan. PHOTO JENNIFER GAUTHIER
ic new MLA for Burnaby-Deer Lake,” he said to the cheers of the crowd. Kang herself – accompanied by her husband, Diego Lin, and seven-year-old son,Theodore – couldn’t stop smiling after she pulled off a decisive win over Liberal challenger Karen Wang, who took 4,250 votes to Kang’s 5,543. “I’m so thrilled! I can’t believe I was elected,” she said in an inter-
Free Home Evaluation
Call AL KABANI today 778-773-4646 RE/MAX Central
Burnaby, BC V5H 4C2
| Since 1985 | #1-5050 Kingsway,
778-773-4646 AL KABANI
alkabani@remax.net
view with the NOW after her victory speech. On a night when the fate of many ridings still hung in the balance, Kang attributed her victory to all the time she and her team put in to talk to voters – and to take the time to really listen. “It’s just being in the community all the time. It’s the community connections I have built,” she said. Kang told the crowd she made
the jump from municipal to provincial politics because she understands what an important role the British Columbia government plays in people’s lives. “As a teacher and a mother, I was driven by a passion for improving education and services for kids, including child care and better health care,” she said. “This election was all about you. It was about building a better B.C. for
Order Take-Out. Call 310-SPOT (7768) or order online at www.whitespot.ca
every British Columbian.” The other two candidates, Katrina Chen and Janet Routledge, had not showed up at NDP headquarters by press deadline. Chen had 8,421 votes to Liberal challenger Steve Darling’s 6,830 as the NOW went to press. Routledge was leading by 1,076 over Liberal incumbent Richard T. Lee.
*Receive $5 off any pre-tax spend of $15 at Nando’s Kingsway. Valid until April 2017.Not Notvalid validwith withany any June15, 4, 2017. other gift. Not valid for alcohol, Gift Cards, or retail sauces. One offer per guest. Must present this card for offer redemption. Not valid on other offers.