Liberals clinch Sudbury byelection
NDP lose seat at Queen’s Park
SUDBURY • After a messy campaign for a seat at Queen’s Park, the Liberal candidate claimed victory in a Sudbury by-lection Thursday night.
With 226 of 238 polls reporting as of press time, Glenn Thibeault, running to join the Wynne Liberals, was in the lead by 1,200 votes, capturing 41% of the vote. His closest rival, New Democrat Suzanne Shawbonquit, had 36% of the vote, 90 minutes after polls closed.
The race has been overshadowed by criminal allega- tions against the Liberals and turncoat accusations aimed at their candidate.
Mr. Thibeault left the federal NDP to run for the provincial Liberals in the byelection, prompting federal leader Tom Mulcair to call him untrustworthy and a turncoat.
The Liberals appointed Mr. Thibeault instead of holding a nomination contest and their previous candidate in the June general election has alleged the party offered him a job or appointment in exchange for stepping aside.
The provincial police and Elections Ontario are investigating Andrew Olivier’s claims following complaints from the opposition parties.
Mr. Olivier ran as an independent, but was trailing in third place with 12% of the vote at press time.
Mr. Olivier also released audio of his conversations with two Liberals, which he said back up his claims, but added he just wanted to focus on the issues in the campaign.
The Liberals have denied the bribery allegations, saying they were trying to keep Mr. Olivier involved in the party after Mr. Thibeault’s appointment was already decided.
The byelection was triggered when New Democrat Joe Cimino resigned after just five months on the job.
The Liberals had previously held the seat for 19 years, so with the former stronghold in play again, Premier Kathleen Wynne has showered attention on the riding, visiting six times since calling the byelection.
Advance polls showed a higher turnout than advance polls in the general election.