*Update – Morrison wins Kootenay-Columbia

(Update, 11:31 am, Tuesday, September 21) Kootenay-Columbia will once again be represented by a Conservative MP.

Rob Morrison has won the riding following Monday’s federal election.

We will have more details soon.

(Original Post, 12:53 am, Tuesday, September 21) Conservative candidate Rob Morrison feels he will represent Kootenay-Columbia as the riding’s Member of Parliament.

Morrison holds a comfortable lead following Monday’s election, with over 97% of Kootenay-Columbia polls reporting the Tory candidate holds a 43% share of the riding’s vote.

He’s thanking his supporters, and is optimistic about the opportunities available for Kootenay-Columbia in the near future.

“I hope that we see Kootenay-Columbia being recognized,” Morrison says. “We have a bunch of things [on the horizon], electric railroad. There’s so many things we can do here that are going to help us out. I think, with Erin O’Toole at the head of the Conservative Party, we’re going to do a great job.”

Morrison is disappointed that Trudeau has earned another minority government, but says the Conservatives will continue to move forward under the guidance of Erin O’Toole.

“I’m disappointed overall that Eastern Canada could still see the Trudeau government handing out more money, I’m disappointed with that,” says Morrison. “Erin O’Toole as our leader will do an awesome job, and we’ll move forward.”

As of midnight, Morrison had a nearly 4,000 vote lead over NDP candidate Wayne Stetski, mail in ballots in the riding have yet to be counted – that process begins Tuesday.

View preliminary results for the Kootenay-Columbia riding provided by Elections Canada below: