Mazier keeps Riding Mountain Conservative

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This article was published 29/04/2025 (333 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

MINNEDOSA — Conservative incumbent Dan Mazier easily won re-election Monday night, becoming the first MP for the expanded and renamed Riding Mountain electoral district.

With 240 of 250 polls reporting at press time, Mazier held a commanding lead with 67.9 per cent of the vote. Liberal candidate Terry Hayward came in second with 22.2 per cent, while New Democrat Andrew Maxwell garnered 7.3 per cent. Green party candidate Liz Clayton and People’s Party of Canada candidate Jim Oliver each received 1.3 per cent.

The 2025 election came with its lessons, Mazier told the Sun on Monday evening.

“Don’t take anything for granted,” Mazier said. “You have to meet people where they are, in their communities, and listen to what they’re going through. It’s not about the Ottawa bubble — it’s about real people putting food on the table.”

He noted the difference in tone between this campaign and past ones during the pandemic, saying this year there were “more conversations about real policies” and growing concerns about affordability and national debt.

Mazier credited his door-to-door approach, having knocked on more than 20,000 doors, and emphasized that affordability was a dominant issue among constituents.

“People are scared about the future — not just for themselves, but for their grandchildren,” he said.

Nationally, Mazier was still cautiously optimistic about the Conservative party’s performance as of 10 p.m., noting a significant pickup in seats, but remained mindful of the uncertainty of the outcome.

At the Royal Canadian Legion hall in Minnedosa on Monday evening, Mazier delivered an emotional victory speech, thanking voters for their trust and his campaign team for their tireless efforts.

“Our riding may be larger than Nova Scotia, but every community matters,” he told supporters. “I promise to fight for you for powerful paycheques, affordable homes, safe streets and an accountable government.”

He also paid special tribute to his wife Leigh, longtime supporters and the many volunteers who fuelled the campaign, saying, “Tonight, we celebrate, but tomorrow, the real work begins.”

Meanwhile, Liberal candidate Hayward remained positive despite the gap in votes. He acknowledged the uphill battle but noted some signs of progress.

“There has been a movement for support in the Liberals here, maybe not enough for the change we were hoping for, but we have raised the level of support,” he told the Sun.

Hayward, who entered the race after the election writ had already dropped, reflected on the lessons learned.

“With more time, I believe there would have been an even greater change,” he said, highlighting the importance of early ground-game efforts like door-knocking and grassroots organizing.

Despite the outcome in Riding Mountain, Hayward expressed satisfaction with the national results, pointing to Liberal Leader Mark Carney’s re-election in his riding and the broader success of the party at the federal level.

“I just wish Mr. Carney and his new government a good term as we deal with issues here at home and abroad,” Hayward said.

Maxwell did not respond to the Sun’s email.

Mazier first entered federal politics in 2019 following the retirement of longtime Conservative MP Robert Sopuck. He easily won that election with 64.2 per cent of the vote, and followed it up with another strong showing in 2021, capturing 59 per cent of ballots cast. Despite facing challenges from across the political spectrum in the last three elections, Mazier’s dominance has never been seriously threatened.

Throughout his time in Ottawa, Mazier has focused on rural issues, particularly improving cellphone and internet connectivity in remote communities. His private member’s bill aimed at strengthening telecom accountability highlighted his commitment to representing rural concerns at the federal level.

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