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IB FEDERAL ELECTION UNITY VITAL TO OVERCOMING PANDEMIC: LONGTIME INCUMBENT SETS FORTH PRIORITIES AFTER WINNING SEVENTH TERM MELANIE HENNESSEY mhennessey@ metroland.com Wellington—Halton Hills is staying true pine a af ter re-electing Co: tive MP Michael Chong ir in Monday's federal election. The incumbent, who's now entering his seventh term, said his first priority will be taking the concerns he's heard from residents — on everything from the housing crisis to getting the pandemic — back to Ottawa. “The number one issue (in the riding) is the need for us to get through the rest of this pandemic, and to bring Canadians togeth- er in order to do that, rat er than dividing them into two camps of the vaccinat- od and unvaccinated," he ae as clear during the last couple of months that people are exhausted, and they're frustrated, and they're yearning for things to get back to normal. We have to redouble our ef- forts in Ottawa to do exact- ly that.” Chong said he's also well aware that local residents are concerned about high Tevels of debt and unem- ployment, and the need ‘to get the economy b: ack during Monday's election win. track. The seasoned politi. cian said he's humbled to serving those We ton—Halton Hills riding — a job that he considers a “sacred trust. "It's something that you have to work hard for," he saidas he joined his team of supporters at the Red Harp in downtown Acton Mon- day evening. "Every time the people entrust you to represent them in Ottawa, its a humbling experi- ence." As of publishing time with 99.5 per cent of polls in, Chong earned 33,918 votes, with Liberal candi- date Melanie Lang coming Melanie Hennessey/ Metroland It was smiles all around as incumbent MP Michael Chong joins wife Carrie and son Camerot in second with 17,343 bal- lots cast in her favour. The NDP's Noor Jahangir took home 6,812 votes, followed by People's paty candidate Syl Carle with 4,247 votes and Green party contender CHONG Ran Zhu with 2,504 votes. The riding saw a voter turnout of 64 per cent. In Speaning with the In- The first-time candidate hinted on Twitter that she may run again, telling her followers, "I plan on stick- ing around, so niaeal tosee me again sot Chong was first elected to the riding in 2004 and has held onto his MP seat since then. The married father of three currently serves as shadow minister for for- ei fairs. Wellington—Halton Hills continues to remain servative stronghold in Halton, with the rest of the region re- electing its Liberal MPs. A GUIDE TO EATING LOCAL RENT WATER TREATMENT ING S/MTH FOR THE FIRST 3 MONTHS For a Small Fee/ Week participate in this Foodie Feature linking your business or menu to a QR codes! OFF A WHOLE HOME SYSTEM Please contact Nancy Gibson for information on NO PAYMENTS UNTIL 2022! placing your QR Code ad. Cell: 289-681-2041 ngibson@atarmetrolandmedia.com Q 5 Mountainview Rd N, Georgetown & (905) 877-6242 www.culligan.com | info@culliganwater.ca OPEN KITCHEN RESTAURANT Limited Space - Book Today!