I have a lot of people in caucus who gave me their support. I know from discussions with them that their level of comfort was higher with Rodney.

I've just been doing interviews all morning and talking to people back home. (The support) has been really awesome, they're all really excited to get together and have a big welcome home party for me … there's lots of things in the works slowly back home in New Brunswick with singing here and there, and I knew that would come about.

The companies we work with have repeatedly told us of their need for a skilled, educated workforce. We have a responsibility to respond to those needs.

I knew it would be close, but this is a little closer than I thought it would be. I respect the decision.

Obviously that day we lost some delegates, but we have also got more from other areas. We've moved on from there because we have to stay focused.

I'll tell you I would have preferred having a francophone in that post. It would have been preferable.