Paul Manly celebrating his re-election as the MP for Nanaimo-Ladysmith. (Spencer Sterritt/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

GREEN WAVE

Paul Manly re-elected as Nanaimo-Ladysmith MP

Oct 21, 2019 | 3:11 PM

NANAIMO — Paul Manly will return to Ottawa for his first full term as a Member of Parliament for Nanaimo-Ladysmith under the Green party banner.

With a more than 2,000 vote lead over the Conservatives’ John Hirst, Manly addressed party supporters at the Cavallotti Lodge in Nanaimo.

“We ran a really positive campaign,” Manly said during his victory speech. “We talked about the things that we wanted, our vision for the future, our vision for our community and our vision for our country.”

Manly dedicated the win to his supporters, team and volunteers who worked his second campaign in six months.

“I’d like to thank all of the voters who put their trust and confidence in me, I will not let you down. Whether you voted for me or not, I’m here to serve you as your representative. I’m going to listen, be accountable, be accessible and be responsive to your needs…you can count on that, that’s my pledge.”

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Manly vowed to work across party lines to tackle the climate crisis, a central focus of his campaign.

He later told NanaimoNewsNOW he’ll draw on his experience as a social advocate to listen, understand and work with the various forces at play in Ottawa.

“I treat everybody as a potential ally. I spent 25 years making documentaries and educational films by talking to different people, getting different perspectives and looking for solutions to complex problems. That’s how I’ll carry on representing the people of Nanaimo-Ladysmith.”

Manly was only in office as Nanaimo’s MP for several months after the May byelection.

He said it was an intense situation which showed him how Ottawa and the House of Commons worked, while also setting the stage for the next four years of government.

“The day after I was sworn in, the House of Commons started sitting until midnight…extending sitting hours so the government could push through legislation before the end of the session and before the election where the opposition was trying to block as much as they could. I think with a fresh Parliament, we’re all going to be getting together and trying to figure out what we can work out to deal with some of the crisis we’re facing.”

Manly outbid Hirst, who was also the runner-up in May’s byelection.

Hirst conceded the volunteer base form the Green Party was formidable.

“They’ve had quite a lot of volunteers, and I think they knew who there supporters were and got them to the polls,” Hirst said following this concession speech at the Nanaimo Golf Club.

“We were essentially written off earlier this year and we put up a really strong showing both times. I think that’s something to be proud of.”

Hirst narrowly beat out NDP candidate Bob Chamberlin, who for the second time in less than a year came third in a riding typically considered an NDP stronghold.

Liberal candidate Michelle Corfield followed with 14 per cent of the vote in fourth place.

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