Liberal
MP returned for fifth term
MISSISSAUGA,
Jan 24, 2006
THE MISSISSAUGA NEWS
The residents of Bramalea-Gore-Malton voted
the Liberal incumbent back for a fifth consecutive
term, by a wide margin. Malhi supporters, who
fell silent when CTV declared a Conservative
minority government at 10 p.m., roared their
approval when the veteran MP arrived at the
Woodbine Banquet & Convention Centre.
Dressed casually, Malhi looked overwhelmed
as he was embraced by supporters after he arrived
at around 11 p.m.
"I stayed on my proven record, I listened
to people and spoke with them and the people
elected me again," Malhi said. "I
want to keep on representing the people, as
I have done since 1993."
The riding was supposed to be hotly contested,
with some pundits predicting a Conservative
win. However, the residents went with the candidate
they knew, giving Malhi their unwavering support
with 25,349 votes or 50.7 per cent of the total
votes cast in the riding.
Conservative candidate John Sprovieri took
16,310 votes, or 32.6 per cent, while the NDP's
Cesar Martello received 6,400 votes, or 12.8
per cent. Green Party candidate Ernst Braendli
won 1,721 votes while Marxist-Leninist Frank
Chilelli captured 233 votes.
Sprovieri, whose campaign featured a series
of gaffs, said the 905 populace wasn't ready
for the Conservative party's philosophy.
"We weren't able to get our message across
to everyone," said Sprovieri, at a reception
inside Speranza Banquet Hall. "I'm disappointed
no (Tories) from Peel (Region) made it. I thought
at least one of us would be voted in but obviously
the people are happy with what they got from
the Liberals. If the majority of people stick
with what they know, then what's the use? It's
like banging your head against a brick wall."
During the campaign, there was a posting on
Sprovieri's campaign website declaring "I
am a woman." He placed an erroneous advertisement
in several ethnic newspapers saying he would
reduce seniors' pensions, he made damning remarks
about fellow Conservative candidate Raminder
Gill (who lost in the Mississauga-Streetsville
riding) and mocked Malhi for his English language
skills.
Malhi campaign worker Jeewen Gill said the
incumbent worked hard throughout the election
and that made the difference with voters, helping
to overcome his party's perceived trust issues.
Gill said Malhi's campaign instead focused on
his long list of achievements.
"We told voters what he had done for the
last 13 years," said Gill. "We expected
a win when the polls started. We expected a
victory for us."
Meanwhile, Sprovieri supporter Marc Comtois
said the Conservative was a "tremendous"
person and his absence from the House Of Commons
will be a "loss for the country.
"I'm not trying to be critical of Mr.
Malhi, but John deserved to be in," said
Comtois.
In the previous election, Malhi won by an overwhelming
majority, capturing 20,394 votes compared to
the Conservative's 12,594 and the NDP's 6,089.
Malhi M.P, campaign spokesman
Jeewen Gill (right)