Canada’s political landscape changed significantly with Justin Trudeau’s Liberal party taking majority status in the House of Commons.
“Canadians from all across this great country sent a clear message tonight,” said Prime Minister designate Justin Trudeau during his victory speech. “It’s time for a change in this country my friends – a real change.
“For three years, we had a very old-fashioned strategy. We met with and talked with as many Canadians as we could and we listened,” he said. “We won this election because we listened. We did the hard work of slogging it across this country, we met with hundreds of people in the dead of winter in the arctic and with thousands of people in Brampton in the middle of this campaign,” he said. “You built this platform – you built this movement. You told us what you need to be successful. You told us what kind of government you wanted, and we built the plan to make it happen,” he said.
“You are the inspiration for our efforts, and you are the reason we worked so hard to be here tonight and you will be at the heart of this new government.”
Former Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced later in the evening that he would be stepping down as party leader, but he will remain as a Calgary MP.
“During the past nine and one-half years it has been an unbelievable honour to serve as your prime minister, and it has been a great experience to meet Canadians from coast to coast to coast over the last two and half months of this campaign,” he said. “While tonight’s results are certainly not the one we had hoped for, the people are never wrong,” he said.
“The disappointment you also feel is my responsibility and mine alone.”
Meanwhile, NDP leader Thomas Mulcair, despite the party’s disappointing showing has not indicated whether or not he’ll stay on as leader.
“This election was about change, and tonight, Canadians turned the page on 10 long years and they rejected the politics of fear and division,” Mulcair told supporters. “It is obvious that major differences exist between our parties, and over the past 78 days there was emphasis put on these differences, to permit Canadians to make a choice. Today, Canadians have made that choice and we accept it with humility,” Mulcair said.
Premier Rachel Notley also commented on the election results.
“I would like to congratulate Prime Minister designate Justin Trudeau on his electoral victory,” she said. “I look forward to working collaboratively with him to build a strong Alberta within a strong Canada.
“As leaders, we need to work together to build important infrastructure, strengthen our health care system, address climate change and develop a respectful relationship with Indigenous peoples. By growing our economy and protecting the environment, we can continue to make Alberta and Canada a great place to live, work and raise a family.”
The Liberals won the majority with 184 seats (54.5%), the Conservatives with 99 seats (29.2%), NDP with 44 seats (13%) the Bloc Quebecois with 10 seats (2.9%) and the Greens with one seat (0.3%).
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