HALIFAX -- Despite a fierce see-saw battle, the Nova Scotia riding of West Nova remained Liberal last night, with MP Robert Thibault defeating veteran Tory politician Greg Kerr.
Mr. Kerr, who is a teacher and businessman, was a provincial MLA and cabinet minister from 1978 to 1992.
Mr. Thibault has held the swing seat since the 2000 election, when he beat Conservative candidate John Carey.
Mr. Thibault was Minister of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and fisheries minister from 2002 to 2003.
The riding has switched back and forth several times from the Liberals to Conservatives since 1979.
The West Nova riding is often described as a microcosm of rural Canada.
Farming, fishing and tourism dominate clusters of small towns and there is a mix of English and French cultures.
Mr. Kerr, a teacher and businessman, was a provincial MLA and cabinet minister from 1978 to 1992.
During the campaign, Mr. Kerr was banking on a national "desire for change" to swing some of the votes his way.
He said many residents in the riding were not impressed with the Liberal government's handgun-ban announcement and wanted someone in government who would bring real action to the area.
"The folks we're hearing from talk a lot about preserving a rural way of life," Mr. Kerr said.
