Pontiac Liberal MP Sophie Chatel was sworn in on Friday (Oct. 15), becoming the first woman to represent the riding in the House of Commons.

“Surrounded by my family and two members of my constituency team, I had the great privilege of being sworn in as the new MP for Pontiac Friday afternoon,” she wrote on social media. “It is with great pride that I will have the honour of representing you in the House of Commons. Thank you for your trust.”

Chatel won the riding with 43.4 per cent of the vote, more than 14,000 votes ahead of her closest competitor, Conservative candidate Michel Gauthier.

She said that she had spent the weeks following election night putting a local team together and working to set up her riding offices.

Chatel said that in the coming weeks, the government would announce the make up of cabinet, as well as other roles throughout the caucus. She said that she was busy making plans to address the major issues affecting the riding and the rest of Canada.

“We are facing really big challenges on climate change, but also growth and recovery from the pandemic,” she said.