Advertisement

Shea cruises to easy win

Revenue Minister Gail Shea won't tell P.E.I. to bring in the HST.

Gail Shea was given another term in Parliament by voters in western P.E.I. Monday night.

Shea sailed to an easy win over defeated Liberal Guy Gallant, winning by almost 4,500 votes. Egmont was the first of the four P.E.I. ridings to be called.

The quick result contrasted sharply with election night 2008, when the race was so close it went to a recount. She ended up winning by just 55 votes that night.

"It was quite a nice surprise from the last time around I can tell you that, because it was a long night," Shea said.

Shea turned Egmont Tory in 2008, breaking a 27-year Liberal rule in the riding, and a 20-year Liberal monopoly on the Island. Shea spent her time in Parliament as Minister of Fisheries and Oceans.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper now has a majority government, and more than two dozen new MPs to choose from when it comes to making up his cabinet. Shea said there has been no discussion of whether she would be returning.

"Oh no, not at this point," she said.

P.E.I. did not only go against the national trend by voting in just one government MP. It also has no representative in the official opposition.