A lot of votes went out to the various candidates running for the Souris-Moose Mountain on Monday, with some smaller parties also getting their share. The Green Party of Canada had a candidate in Rhemi Rheault, who received 364 votes.
With a total turnout for the election being just shy of breaking a record, Rheault says he's pleased so many people participated in democracy.
"I'm very, very pleased with the turnout that happened in this riding. You know, that was one of my key things is voter apathy, because of the fact that people need to have their voices. So I'm very, very pleased to see, you know, a 74.4% turnout."
"Congratulations to the people," he expressed.
Rheault congratulated the Conservative Party of Canada candidate Steven Bonk for winning the riding, receiving over 80 per cent of the vote in the southeast.
While Bonk had experience as an MLA, Rheault was running for the first time in the southeast ever. He was happy with his results.
"This being the first time I've actually run federally in this riding, I think I came in pretty good. I'm pleased with the results that I received and the support from the people, but now is the time to actually start rebuilding. We've got a good, solid foundation now, and so we're going to be looking for, you know, more participation from those who want to have a stronger democracy."
For the duration of this minority government, Rheault says they'll focus on building up voter awareness, as he says he will run again during the next federal election.
For the national vote, Rheault says the federal Green Party is in a tougher spot, but he's not giving up hope.
"There's a different makeup, a little bit, not much, considering that we're back down to one Green MP, which was back in 2019, and that was pre-COVID. So let's see what happens. And I think the Greens are still here. I know I am."
"I'm still going Green because I still believe that we need proportional representation, and I think that with Elizabeth May still being an MP will actually help push for that proportional representation. Now, mind you, in this riding, it would not have made much of a difference because there was a huge turnout for Steven Bonk, and I can see that. But, you know, nobody can predict what the future is going to hold."
Rheault says he'll continue living in the riding and being a voice for the people of the southeast. "Those who still want their voice to be heard, I'm still around, and I will be more involved, considering I've only lived in this riding since June of last year."
"I can see myself becoming more within the public, so that people can get to know me and understand the values of, you know, having that strong voice. So if they still want to contact me, my Facebook page is going to be staying up. And my email address is going to stay up."
One of Rheault's priorities for the coming years is keeping the Election District Association strong and keeping democracy going.