Election 2015: Bittersweet victory for Langley-Aldergrove MP

Mark Warawa and wife Diane speak to supporters in Langley-Aldergrove following his victory.— Image Credit: Dan Ferguson/Langley Times

by  Dan Ferguson - Langley Times
posted Oct 19, 2015 at 9:00 PM— updated Oct 19, 2015 at 10:01 PM
Canadians have elected a new prime minister, showing the Conservatives the door after 10 years in power and handing Liberal leader Justin Trudeau a majority government.
Locally, it was a bittersweet night for MP Mark Warawa after voters gave the Conservative another mandate — this time to represent Langley-Aldergrove as a member of the official opposition.
Warawa called the new prime minister "Justin Hairdo" during a speech to a subdued victory party held in a Milner greenhouse Monday night.
The re-elected MP was applauded by more than 100 supporters as he arrived with his wife Diane, but the loss to the Liberals had clearly cast a pall on the celebration of his victory.
"There's a God that we can trust," Warawa said.
"Our country does need our prayers."
Warawa said the Conservatives would work hard to hold Trudeau and the Liberals accountable, especially when it comes to raising taxes and balancing the budget.
"We're going to make sure that he hears your voice," Warawa said.
"There is a real world, and you can't live on fairy tales and cotton candy."
As Warawa was speaking about Trudeau, one supporter yelled out "nice hair," a reference to the Conservative ad campaign that dismissed the Liberal leader as "just not ready."
"He does have nice hair, " Warawa said.
"I wish I had his hair."
Then he stumbled over the prime minister elect's name, calling him "Justin Hairdo" and generating some laughs.
Warawa is the only Member of Parliament who has represented Langley since the now-reconfigured riding was created in 2004.
– files from Brenda Anderson

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Dave McCormick · Landis Saskatchewan
Why do more and more of these Conservative clowns sound like the Republicans to the south of us?
Shon Troelstrup
Maybe Mr. Warawa just isn't used to being allowed to speak without being told what to say. It might take him some getting used to.
Shon Troelstrup
I think the headline summed up Mr. Warawa's speech perfectly, with emphasis on "bitter". Calling the Prime Minister-elect names and sulking about policy during a victory speech is typical of the childish, cynical arrogance that Canadians became used to under the last decade under Harper, and a key reason why Canadians overwhelmingly booted his party to the curb. I thought Mr. Warawa was better than that. 
It should also be pointed out to Dan Ferguson that this was not a "stumble", as you so kindly put it. The Conservatives have been pushing this childish "nice hair" mantra since the moment Trudeau became party leader in 2013 and clearly did not pay attention as Trudeau brought new life, new ideas, and new hope into his campaign. 
I hope Mr. Warawa is finally able to act and think for himself under a new Conservative leadership. Maybe this will be a good opportunity for him to remember why he entered politics in the first place: to represent his constituents and treat his colleagues with professionalism, courtesy, and respect.
Daniella Petre
Funny, I've lived in Mark's riding for 7 years now. I've reached out to him on several occasions re various topics...not so much as an acknowledgement. I've reached out to Liberal MP's in the last week, even ones that are far from my riding, to my pleasant surprise I received an acknowledgement and response within hours, including on a Sunday! What does that tell you about Mark?
Daniella Petre
Absolutely appalling. Calling your new prime minister names is appropriate when you are still in kindergarten, not when you are a 60+ year old man and an MP. 
As for God and his part in this? Separating religion from politics is long overdue and I sincerely hope Langley Aldergrove makes a much more appropriate choice next time. It would have been nice to have an MP that will represent US in Ottawa rather than the last 10 years of the other way around. Shame on you Mr. Warawa
Judy Scopelleti
Thank gawd these bozos are no longer ruining the country.
Mitch Ransom
Calling the prime minister elect names is typical of this 10 year back bencher.
I would say that he was lucky to hang on to his seat.
Shane Dyson · Aldergrove, British Columbia
Classy line of the night- "Then he stumbled over the prime minister elect's name, calling him "Justin Hairdo" and generating some laughs."
Sheena Graham
Can I ask why you copied/pasted this article? We had just read it ........
Shane Dyson · Aldergrove, British Columbia
I hadn't realized the article was copied when I put in my remark. The was no way to edit after I posted. I apologize for this.