Sopuck ready for new role

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Published on Thursday, October 22, 2015

By Eoin Devereux

Neepawa Press/Neepawa Banner

A familiar name is heading back to Ottawa to represent the Dauphin-Swan River-Neepawa riding as our Member of Parliament, but he’ll be doing so in an unfamiliar position; as a member of the official opposition. 

Conservative candidate Robert Sopuck, who first won the seat during a 2010 by-election, held on to the job of MP in the 42nd general election, as he picked up 19,229 votes, good enough for just over 46 per cent of the ballots. Sopuck said he was thankful for all the support he received throughout the campaign.

“I really want to thank the voters for placing their trust in me. I wish to thank all the volunteers and donors who backed our efforts. I promise to remain a strong advocate for them and the rural way of life and rural economy,” noted Sopuck.

Liberal Party candidate Ray Piché finished second in the riding, garnering 12,193 votes. That’s an improvement of over 10,000 votes from the 2011 election. Piché said he’s happy with the amount of support that has developed across the region for the Liberal platform.

“The increased support we received in the riding proved that lots of people wanted change. We didn’t get enough local support to win, but it was still a dramatic improvement for the Liberal Party from what happened here in 2011 and 2008,” said Piché. “We knocked on thousands of doors during the campaign. Talked to so many individuals who were seeking change.”

NDP candidate Laverne Lewycky finished third in the riding with 5,083 votes, independent Inky Mark garnered 3,369 votes and Kate Storey, the Green Party candidate received 1,588 votes.

In the 2011 election, the Dauphin-Swan River-Marquette riding elected Sopuck with 63 per cent support.

As for his return to Ottawa as a part of the official opposition, Sopuck stressed that he will ensure that rural Canada is not forgotten.

“I’m proud of the Conservative’s legacy in Ottawa and what it’s achieved for rural Canada. Our government was always a strong mix of urban and rural policies. This new government I fear could put too much attention on urban issues and forget about the concerns of rural Canadians,” noted Sopuck.  “As a part of the opposition, myself and other rural MPs across the prairies will make sure they don’t forget rural Canada.”