Election reflection

Some Thunder Bay residents say a Conservative majority has them worried for the next four years.

The results from Monday’s federal election gave the Conservative party its long awaited majority government. But the Conservatives weren’t the only winners, as the NDP reached official opposition status for the first time in that party’s history.

But some residents who spoke with tbnewswatch.com on Tuesday said those results had them a bit nervous.

Leo Villa, 81, a retired mechanic, said he was glad to see NDP leader Jack Layton rise so high in the polls, and he was also glad to see Thunder Bay – Superior North NDP member Bruce Hyer re-elected.

On the other hand, Villa said he was concerned because he wasn’t sure what a Harper majority meant for seniors.

"When you let in Harper, he’s like a dictator," Villa said. "He takes so much power for himself. He does what he likes."

Brad Berry, 56, had mixed feelings on the majority government. He said he was glad the party would abolish the long-gun registry, something that made him feel like criminal, but was concerned about what other policies Harper had in store.

Andrea Wrigley said she wanted a change this coming election.

But Monday’s results was not the change she wanted. The change she hoped for included a government without Harper.

"I was hoping for a change across the board," Wrigley said. "I was hoping that Harper would have go away."

She said she was glad to see the NDP in a new position of power and hoped they would work hard to ensure Northwestern Ontario had plenty of doctors and nurses, lower gas prices and more infrastructure opportunities.

Darrell Tafe, 25, also expressed concern over a Conservative majority. Tafe said although his rent is paid for, the 381 a month receives for his disability isn’t enough. He said he was worried that the government wouldn’t help those with disabilities.