Tory by-election defeat puts leadership in jeopardy

John Tory, Leader of the Ontario Progressive Conservatives, failed to win a by-election Thursday and now there is serious question about his political future.

Voters in the riding of Haliburton -Kawartha Lakes-Brock said no to Tory sending Liberal candidate Rick Johnson to the seat at Queen’s Park vacated former MPP Laurie Scott gave up for Tory.

Tory conceded at about 10:45 p.m. Thursday night when 239 of 258 polls had been counted putting Johnson ahead 14,566 to 13,591. The final count was 15,482 for Johnson, or 43.72 per cent of the total. Tory narrowly trailed at 14,576 votes or 41.17 per cent or just losing by 906 votes.

"Obviously, I'm very disappointed with the results of the election, as we all are," Tory said in a brief speech to supporters at the Olympia Restaurant in Lindsay, Ontario shortly before 11 p.m.

"But the voters can never be wrong in what they decide, and I respect their decision."

Tory has scheduled a press conference at Queen's Park for 2 p.m. today (Friday) to announce his future plans.