Liberal Chris Ballard has won the riding of Newmarket–Aurora, gaining a seat for the Liberals
CTV News made the call at 10:32 p.m. Ballard beat out PC candidate Jane Twinney, NDP candidate Angus Duff and Green candidate Andrew Roblin.
The seat was up for grabs after long time MPP Frank Klees announced he was not running for re-election.
An Aurora Councillor, Ballard was acclaimed and praised for his contribution to the community. Colleagues spoke of their time working with Councillor Ballard on a number of initiatives, including non-partisan work for consumer advocacy, and told him his voice, which will come with a municipal perspective, will be a valuable asset in Toronto.
Riding Profile
The riding is part of the Regional Municipality of York comprised of the towns of Newmarket and Aurora.
Newmarket is a prosperous centre. Main Street has an early 1800s look and its proximity to the Holland River Trail System and Fairy Lake allows for recreational, cultural, and arts activities. Local businesses provide boutiques, patio eateries, live theatre, and there is a seasonal farmer's market, and the Elman W. Campbell Museum.
It has Cartech and Cornell chemicals, several automotive firms, a company making water purification systems, engineering firms, metal processing, office furniture manufacturing, machine safety gear, ornamental iron and steel works, countertop manufacturers and other small firms with no large industry.
Aurora has Magna International auto parts and its R&D department. Other employers are State Farm Insurance’s head office for Canada, Van-Rob auto parts stamping, Quebecor Printing inserts and circulars for magazines and catalogues; Genpak and others.
St. Andrews College, a private boys’ school, is there.
