Royer squeaks past Lambert in Port Moody-Coquitlam, turns orange riding red

She’s been a city councillor, she’s currently a school board trustee, and now Zoe Royer is set to serve as MP for Port Moody-Coquitlam.

With NDP support at a fraction of 2021 levels, the race boiled down to Royer and Conservative candidate Paul Lambert.

Early in the night at Wings restaurant on St. John’s Street, Royer’s supporters said they were “cautiously optimistic.”

“I feel amazing looking at the results already tonight, I can see that the Liberals have formed government and that gives me such hope,” Royer said. “Clearly the country is moving in the right direction.”

The mood at Paul Lambert’s Conservative camp at his campaign office on St. Johns Street was solemn shortly after the polls closed, as supporters heard media organizations call the election for Liberals.

When Port Moody-Coquitlam polls began to be counted, the room of several dozen supporters erupted in cheers as Lambert continuously held a slim lead over Zoe Royer.

Lambert led throughout the evening. With 86 percent of the votes counted, Lambert was in front by three percent. However, the last polls to be counted swung the riding red.

With 99.5 percent of all ballots tallied, Royer had 43.4 percent of the vote. She finished 2.9 percent and 1,779 votes ahead of Lambert.

It was a difficult evening for NDP incumbent Bonita Zarrillo, who snared 15 percent of the vote – a more than 22 percent drop from the last election.

Speaking at the NDP’s election night gathering in Burnaby, NDP organizer Kareem Hassib described Zarrillo’s loss as unfortunate.

“That’s a big blow for us and our BC caucus for the NDP.”

On the campaign trail, Royer touted the party’s promise to spend $60 billion on affordable homes, emphasizing the use of engineered timber and prefab construction to accelerate delivery at lower cost.

“We can build homes 50 percent faster and 20 percent cheaper,” she said.

On health care, Royer outlined her party’s plan to add medical school spaces and train thousands of new doctors while reducing administrative burdens faced by physicians.

Royer highlighted her municipal experience working with local First Nations on education and dialogue initiatives.

As a councillor, Royer was a critical vote in the approval of several projects, including the 1,861-unit Woodland Park development.

Royer has also been an advocate for the arts, advocating several events and recently starring in an Ioco Players production.

Green Party candidate Nash Milani finished with 512 votes, or 0.8 percent.

Marxist-Leninist candidate Roland Verrier finished with 116 votes, or 0.2 percent.

All results are unofficial until certified by Elections Canada.