Rick Byers, newly elected MPP for Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound, is flanked by former MPP Bill Walker (left) and former MP Larry Miller (right) on July 2, 2022. (Image courtesy of Rick Byers campaign)Rick Byers, newly elected MPP for Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound, is flanked by former MPP Bill Walker (left) and former MP Larry Miller (right) on July 2, 2022. (Image courtesy of Rick Byers campaign)
Midwestern

Byers wins first election after Bill Walker era in Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound

The riding of Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound has gone blue once again in the provincial election.

Rick Byers will be the Member of Provincial Parliament for the Progressive Conservatives in the riding, taking over the reins from Bill Walker, who announced earlier this year that he would not seek re-election.

"All he's (Bill Walker) done, whether it's in long-term, schools, daycare, broadband, the Markdale Hospital, on and on and on, a huge legacy. What I'm going to do is to keep that going," said Byers.

Byers was declared as the winner in Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound just before 10:00 p.m. on election night.

Byers tells CKNXNewsToday.ca, "It doesn't matter whether I've got a role, or I'm sitting on the back row; I've got a background in business, and I wanna make use of that in supporting the government in it's excellent platform, but also supporting our community."

And he says the PC plan is about building.

"Be that, healthcare infrastructure, long term care infrastructure, new beds, new schools, these are multi-year investments, and so, Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound, I have no doubt will participate in that activity. I want to work hard to make sure that happens."

Since the riding took on its current form in 1999, Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound has only elected members of the Progressive Conservative Party, starting with Bill Murdoch from 1999-2011, Walker from 2011-2022, and now Byers.

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