Former Meaford councillor and Progressive Conservative candidate Paul Vickers is heading to Queen’s Park after last week’s provincial election, held on February 27.
The 58-year-old dairy farmer earned 44.14 percent of the vote in the Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound riding, followed by Liberal Party candidate Selwyn Hicks with 29.44 percent, and Green Party candidate Joel Loughead found the support of 12.47 percent of BGOS voters.
Of eligible voters, 50.3 percent cast ballots in the election, slightly higher than the 45.4 percent voter turnout across the province.
Vickers’s win continued the Progressive Conservative streak of representing the riding since 1990.
Provincially, the Progressive Conservatives captured 42.97 percent of the vote, giving them 80 seats in the legislature for their third consecutive majority government.
In a statement released after the election results were final, Vickers said that he is honoured to have been elected by BGOS voters.
“I am honoured to receive the support of Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound residents,” said Vickers. “With an honour such as this comes great responsibility. I am dedicated to making sure I can use the trust placed in me to deliver results for our region.”
Vickers said that his priorities for the region include advocating for our local economy in light of U.S. tariffs, advancing policies to support local agriculture, and helping find solutions to the issues facing rural healthcare.
Vickers also said that he is pleased with the outcome of the election province-wide, in which the Progressive Conservative party secured its third majority government in a row.
“A third consecutive majority is a rare feat in Ontario. This is a sign that Ontarians trust us to stand up for our economy and deliver the healthcare we deserve,” added Vickers.
