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Steven Guilbeault, the Liberal’s star environmental candidate in the Laurier—Sainte-Marie riding, was elected Monday night, despite strong challenges from both the NDP and Bloc Québécois candidates.

“I am so happy to be a part of this team that will work to follow up on the ecological transition that was started in the past four years,” said Guilbeault, soon after he was declared the victor in this heavily contested riding Monday night.

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Guilbeault is arguably Quebec’s best-known environmental activist and was certainly the highest-profile candidate in this riding. But when he launched his campaign in June, just days after the federal Liberal government announced it had approved expansion of the Trans Mountain pipeline project, some commentators were scandalized.

Guilbeault told critics he still opposed the pipeline project but had joined the Liberals because it was the only party with a serious climate plan that stood a chance of governing. Monday night, he reminded reporters that the Liberals have made and promised more significant investments in public transit and were the first federal government to put a price on carbon.