TORONTO - The newly-elected Tory MP who dropped Michael Ignatieff at the polls was initially branded a "sacrificial lamb" for taking on the high-profile Liberal opponent in the battle for Etobicoke Lakeshore.

"They (critics) said I took the role of sacrificial lamb," Bernard Trottier said on Tuesday. "Some people said I would be giving up my family and weekends for nothing."

The 46-year-old father of two defeated Ignatieff by more than 3,000 votes in the working-class riding. Ignatieff announced Tuesday that he would step down as leader of Liberals following the party's dismal third-place finish.

"Things only started to change about two weeks ago right after the debate," the father of two said. "I also noticed a change as I knocked on doors."

He said voters were unhappy that Ignatieff lived in Yorkville and not in the riding.

"The first question people asked at the door was if I lived in the riding," he said. "Voters want someone who lives in the community."

Trottier, an international business consultant, will likely be heading to Ottawa this week with other rookie MPs to learn about his new job.

His main goals are to work to stimulate job growth, improve health care and tackle crime in some areas of his riding.

He is also in favour of reducing the number of MPs in Ottawa from 308 to about 250.

Resident Jack Pozniakowski, a dentist, said he voted for Trottier because he is fiscally responsible.

"I am happy to see a good man represent the riding for a change," Pozniakowski said.