Canada Election 2015: Meet your new Waterloo Region MPs
First-time MPs now representing four of five ridings in Waterloo Region
After a marathon campaign, Waterloo Region has elected four new MPs. Of the five ridings, four went to rookie Liberal Party candidates, marking a significant change for the region which has been held by the Conservatives since 2008.
We break down what you need to know about your new members of Parliament in Waterloo Region.
Bardish Chagger - Waterloo
A long-time Liberal supporter, Bardish Chagger will be following in the footsteps of her local mentor, Andrew Telegdi, who was the Liberal MP for the former Kitchener-Waterloo riding from 1993 to 2008.
Chagger worked as Telegdi's executive assistant, running both his parliamentary and local offices, before taking a job at the Kitchener-Waterloo Multicultural Centre as their special events coordinator.
"A lot of the experiences that I have are allowing me to be able to do a job as a member of Parliament," said Chagger in an interview with Craig Norris on The Morning Edition.
Chagger is a life-long Waterloo resident, and graduated in 2004 from the University of Waterloo with a bachelor's degree in science.
"We're really lucky when it comes to the riding of Waterloo because we're innovators," said Chagger.
"Justin Trudeau came right down here to launch the platform. He knows what this riding's about and what we're capable of and Ottawa will not only be listening to our voice, they'll be looking to hear it and I'm excited to share that."
Raj Saini - Kitchener Centre
Raj Saini has been a pharmacist in Kitchener for 20 years, owning and operating Greenbrook Pharmacy in the city's Highland-Stirling neighbourhood.
Saini said he is eager to get to work for Kitchener Centre residents, and to start to make the changes Canadians voted for on Monday.
"Change to me is a different approach to politics, where you are looking at solutions," said Saini in an interview with Craig Norris on The Morning Edition.
"As a pharmacist, that's all I do, that's all I've done every day, is problem-solve, look at solutions and try to find the best possibility, the best path forward," said Saini.
Saini said he wasn't surprised by the results Monday night, as he saw the shift toward the Liberal party first hand as he canvassed the riding.
"Just getting out there, knocking on doors, having conversations and you know, trying to explain our platform, explain why we needed real change and I think we were effective in doing that," said Saini.
Marwan Tabbara - Kitchener South-Hespeler
A rookie MP, and the very first for the new riding of Kitchener South-Hespeler, Marwan Tabbara had a historic night Monday.
An area resident for 24 years, Tabbara said he'll be focused on local issues like transit and infrastructure when he heads to Ottawa.
"We want to make sure we're listening to our voters and start working on their behalf," Tabbara said in an interview with Craig Norris on The Morning Edition.
Tabbara is a first-generation Canadian, raised by a single mom, and said he's passionate about the needs of immigrant families, and is willing to put in the hours for his constituents.
"I've always had two jobs, working six, seven days a week," said Tabbara.
"I've worked weekends the past 13 years ... I know what hard work is and I'm going to start doing it for Kitchener South-Hespeler residents."
Bryan May - Cambridge
Perhaps the most surprising result in Monday's election was Bryan May's win over incumbent Conservative cabinet minister Gary Goodyear.
May's background is in the non-profit sector, working for the YMCA and the Boys and Girls Club of Canada. He also volunteered with the Social Planning Council of Cambridge and North Dumfries.
"My entire working career ... has been about helping people," said Bryan May. "I have first-hand working experience with the needs and real challenges faced by our community."
May said he feels the country has been moving backwards on key issues, from the environment to jobs, and that he's eager to get to work to fix those problems.