Carleton was Poilievre's riding to lose. When he did, it came as a shock to many
CBC
The startling upset for Conservatives and their leader Pierre Poilievre, who lost the Ottawa-area riding he'd held for nearly 21 years to a Liberal newcomer, had local voters buzzing the morning after.
By the time Carleton's giant ballots were counted, Carleton's MP-elect Bruce Fanjoy had garnered about 51 per cent of the vote to Poilievre's 46 per cent.
Residents of the rural Ottawa riding who spoke with CBC News on Tuesday offered a variety of reactions and theories about why Poilievre had been ousted.
Michelle Cole said U.S. President Donald Trump's threats against Canada's economy and sovereignty definitely played a role.
"Nothing against Poilievre, but the way Canada's going, you can imagine that a lot of people were voting the same way in this riding," she said.
"I feel bad for him because he has all the experience," Cole added. "He's done a great job — it's just everybody is so on this anti-American kick that it was the wrong time."
"It was definitely shocking for this riding," said Rory O'Connor. "It's been Conservative as long as I've lived here, and [this is] definitely quite an upset."
O'Connor said that reversal suggests the Conservatives might need to rethink their priorities.
"I think right now, the party probably needs a reboot. I don't think that they can continue with their current platform," he said.
Nick Lecuyer said he never believed Fanjoy had a chance in Carleton, but then he started to see Liberal lawn signs pop up around the riding.
"I think it's a long time coming that we had a change in this riding specifically. I don't think Pierre Poilievre did anything for the people of Carleton at all, and I think the Conservative government was potentially very problematic for middle-class people," Lecuyer said.
Poilievre's loss was a disappointment to many.
"I'm really concerned with the economy, certainly inflation, spending of money that we don't have," said Vic Josey.
"I feel that he's very sincere and genuine in his feelings for this country," Josey added. "I think he loves this country and he worked very hard for it over the last three years, but the results didn't pay off for him."
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