PC candidate elected first MLA in new Acadian riding in Cape Breton

Progressive Conservative candidate Claude Bourgeois has been elected in Nova Scotia’s newest provincial riding.

The results are in following Tuesday’s byelection in Nova Scotia’s newest provincial riding.

The electoral district of Chéticamp-Margarees-Pleasant Bay was created four months ago to better represent Acadian voters.

Progressive Conservative candidate Claude Bourgeois was elected MLA, beating Liberal candidate Dennis Cormier by 235 votes.

New Democrat Trevor Poirier came in third with 258 votes and Green Party candidate Nik Boisvert garnered 44.

Bourgeois’s campaign focused on roads, economic growth, health care, connectivity and local communities.

“I am honoured by the trust that people have placed in me,” Bourgeois said in a statement.

“I’ve spoken with people in every community about the issues that matter to them and I look forward to bringing those voices to the government table and working every day to deliver results.”

As of May 24, there were 3,923 registered voters in the area.

Nearly 2,700 people cast ballots, brining voter turnout to 68.81 per cent.

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