What created the success in Eastern Ontario? Why did we elect 9 of 12 Conservative M.P.s? What is different about the Ottawa Valley?
1) CFRA – In my honest opinion, CFRA has done a tremendous job of not only being fair, but of keeping everyone in the valley abreast of political ongoings. Lowell Green, Steve Madely, Michael Harris, John Counsell, Nick Vandergragt, and many more do an incredible job keeping all politicians on their toes and holding them to task. With this being the premiere talk radio station in Ottawa, they have earned the respect of countless people in the Ottawa Valley.
2) Civil Service – Ottawa does have a higher per capita civil service than most other parts of the country. This really says something when those working within a government managed by graft and corrosion have quietly spoken their mind. Maybe not in the fashion of Allan Cutler, but in tiny amounts of one vote, they added their voice to those who know we need to clean up government. I know many will lose their jobs under the new government but many know that a booming economy with rich people working hard and spending more money will create countless jobs everywhere.
3) Wealth – There are a lot of wealthy people in Ottawa. Excluding all the diplomats and ambassadors, the city has a thriving technology community, (of which I am a member), along with a lot of rural farmland tied in to the urban ridings. My riding is largely farmland with numerous towns of several thousand, but it also contains Kanata, the Silicon Valley North. This brings together a combination of rural farmers without money or help from the sitting Liberals, as well as the high income, high tax paying high tech sector. This created a 22500 seat plurality for a small landslide.
4) Military – In the area we have NDHQ, National Defence Headquarters This puts thousands more in the area. They are spread out right across the city considering the NDHQ has overload at their primary facility and has locations in a few areas around town. We also have CFB Petawawa. Home to over 4400 military personel and 1000 civilians. If you include family who are nearby all these fine soldiers, you can see what that nasty attack ad must have done.
There are other reasons I am sure. But I do feel that this part of the country should be proud for not having fear for a change in our leadership. The sun did rise today. No fire and brimstone came raining down upon us.