Updated: Wed Oct. 15 2008 3:04:23 AM

CTV.ca News

Stephen Harper says Canadians have "chartered the way forward" for Canada, after strong gains in Ontario gave the Conservatives a larger minority government.

"No matter what economic challenges we face from abroad, this is a land where people from every corner of the Earth have come together to build a peaceful and prosperous country without comparison," the Conservative leader told cheering supporters in Calgary. "Canada will always be the true north, strong and free."

He said the Conservatives would continue to ensure Canada is able to weather the global credit crisis, by enforcing firm regulations for banks and promoting business through low taxes.

"For Canada's $1.5-trillion economy, for the protection of the earnings, savings and future opportunities of our 33 million people, we have a realistic, prudent and responsible plan," he said.

Past midnight, the Tories had won or were leading in 143 ridings across the country, out of a possible 308. Harper needed at least 155 seats to form a majority government.

As the dust settled in Tuesday's election, the NDP had 37 seats and the Bloc Quebecois 50. The Liberals were headed to a crushing defeat, losing about 18 ridings to fall to 76.

In Liberal Leader Stephane Dion's concession speech, he promised to work closely with the Conservatives to tackle any economic troubles.

"We Liberals will do our part responsibly to make sure this government works," he said in Montreal. "It's clear our economy -- indeed, the global economic crisis -- is the most important issue facing our country. As the official opposition, we will work with the government to make sure Canadians are protected from the economic storm."

NDP Leader Jack Layton also said he would work closely with Harper, telling supporters in Toronto that the Tories could not govern alone without a majority.

"No party has a mandate to implement an agenda without agreement from the other parties," Layton said. "I believe the people of Canada have called upon all parties to put aside the acrimony that arises in campaigns, and to come together in the public interest. So we're going to do exactly that."

Harper needed to make strong gains in Quebec in order to secure a majority, but made missteps in the final weeks of the campaign by pledging to cut arts funding and crack down on young offenders.

The Bloc Quebecois appeared ready to dominate the election results in Quebec once again, while the Tories were leading or had won about 10 seats in the province -- a loss of roughly one riding.

Bloc leader Gilles Duceppe boasted of his party's strong performance, noting it was the sixth consecutive majority win in Quebec.

"I want to salute the work of all the candidates with the Bloc," he told supporters. "It was a great campaign."

Tory cabinet minister Michael Fortier was defeated in the Montreal-area riding of Vaudreuil-Soulanges, where he was defeated by incumbent Bloc MP Meili Faille.

But despite controversy, embattled Conservative candidate Maxime Bernier managed to keep his Quebec riding of Beauce. Bernier was removed from his post as foreign affairs minister earlier this year after he left sensitive government papers at the home of his former girlfriend, Julie Couillard.

"It's a good feeling, I'm very happy," said Bernier.

When asked if he hoped to return to cabinet, Bernier said "the prime minister will decide."

Strong gains in Ontario

Ontario was key to a strong Conservative victory, with the province's 106 seats. While Toronto was largely expected to remain a Liberal stronghold, early results suggested the Tories would pick up roughly nine more seats elsewhere in the province.

In one major loss for the Liberals, Garth Turner was defeated by Conservative candidate Lisa Raitt in the Ontario riding of Halton.

"I think the Liberal party, my party, failed to deliver a real, cogent response to the economic crisis," he told CTV News.

But despite the Liberal losses, Bob Rae said the opposition parties had deprived Harper of his ultimate goal.

"I think it's important for people to recognize that Mr. Harper started this campaign looking for a majority. He didn't get it," Rae told CTV News, after winning his riding of Toronto Centre. "Regardless of what anyone might want to say, tonight is a defeat for Mr. Harper because he didn't get what he was seeking to get."

In one hard-fought Liberal win, former leadership candidate Gerard Kennedy unseated NDP candidate Peggy Nash.

In British Columbia, the Conservatives were set to win 20 seats, including a win by Dona Cadman, the wife of the late Independent MP Chuck Cadman.

The Liberals largely held their ground in Atlantic Canada and swept Newfoundland, where Premier Danny Williams waged a fierce campaign against the Conservatives. But the Tories have made gains in New Brunswick.

Early results in the region showed the Conservatives completely shut out of Newfoundland and Labrador. One high-profile loss for the party was Fabian Manning.

Williams, a Progressive Conservative, has had a long-standing feud with Harper over rights to his province's offshore energy revenues and the latest equalization formula. In the past month he had publicized an "Anything But Conservative" campaign.

But Conservatives had a strong showing in other parts of Atlantic Canada. Peter MacKay staved off a challenge from Green Party Leader Elizabeth May to hang on to his Nova Scotia riding of Central Nova.

"It's overwhelming, it's exhilarating," he said. "All of these emotions come back every time."

May had likened the fight to David and Goliath, after casting her ballot early Tuesday morning. If she had won, it would have made her Canada's first elected Green MP.

While no Green Party candidates are headed to Parliament, the party did manage to increase its popular vote to 7 per cent from 5 per cent.

In New Brunswick, the Conservatives managed to unseat the Liberals in two ridings: Fredericton and Miramichi.

Before Parliament was dissolved on Sept. 7, the Conservatives had 127 seats, the Liberals had 95, the NDP 30 and Bloc 48. The Greens had one seat, but the MP had initially been elected as a Liberal.

Worst voter turnout in history

Only about 59 per cent of eligible voters decided to cast their ballots Tuesday, possibly the lowest in the country's history. In 2006, it was 64 per cent.

An estimated 1.5 million Canadians cast their ballots in early voting.

The election followed a 37-day campaign -- one of the shortest possible under Canadian law. Harper asked Canadians for a stronger mandate to govern the country, after two and a half years of minority rule.

He called an election after complaining that Parliament had become increasingly "dysfunctional," making it difficult for him to lead the country.

"It's difficult to see ... how the prime minister comes back to the people of Canada, at the end, of the day and says this election was worth something," former Liberal cabinet minister Brian Tobin told CTV News.

Comments are now closed for this story

Jim in Ottawa
Go Blue, Lets hope we get a majority. Stable government is what we need to navigate the waters at this time.

ttt
Liberals did not sweep NL.
1 NDP seat.

Bruce
Once again Canada will fail to give a non Quebec based anglo a majority government. There will be no surprises tonight.

Raj
I hope we see more NDP seats in the Conservative minority government. We need a party who will stand up and protect our social programs.

Andrew From Windsor
Good job First-past-the-post! Way to represent what Canadians want!
Three social progressive parties vs one backward Conservative, as if that is somehow fairly democratic.

tabbylovers
Harper doesn't stand a chance in a majority, it's a waste of money...and time.

Couldn't he wait until the Americans were done electing their president? why so close?

Jim
To Jim in Ottawa!

You are RIGHT, a stable government IS what Canada needs right now, BUT the right stable government, is key.

There was absolutely nothing wrong with the "stable" minority government we DID have.....

Slim
Yeah, first past the post. 4 tree hugging parties hammering away at a centre right party. Real fair! And the centre right party wins AGAIN!!!!!

Bernard Romanycia
Yawn. What a waste of money.

Rob
proportional representation is needed in this country in order to have TRUE democracy.... or at least the truest democracy possible next to personally voting on every issue.

JD
Blue guys, red guys, its all the same as far the taxpayer is concerned. Harper better not call another election for the next four years - giant waste of our money - better spent on health care and infrastructure / bailing out the ailing economy. I sure hope Dion will hold Harper's feet to the fire the environment.

Kent - Regina
As a Canadian living in America the worst thing that could happen would be a Harper majority. He wants to allow forgein investment in our resources from the current 25% to 75%. Ask anyone in Texas how that worked out when they let another country (BP from England) buy up their resources and sell them back to the people. Harper will ruin this country if he has the chance.

palm springs Dave
Yeah, go blue. Need majority this time. C'mon
Canada...Wake up and vote!!

Chris
Early polls showed that greens had around %13 of the popular vote, but thanks to our first past the post system, it is doubtful they will win one seat. Its time we start representing all Canadians.

Also, we can only hope that Mr Harper does not win a majority, god only knows what would happen then.

Gail, Halifax
Well....Elizabeth did tell people to vote for someone else :)

Phil from Fergus
Great to see we may have a good stable Conservative government. Stock market should be up tomorrow!

Joe
Well it's official we are as stupid as the Americans. They elected Bush twice and we at the very least elected Harper twice to a minority government yet again.
The world will be laughing at us tomorrow and our poor soldiers in Afghanistan will keep dying fighting a war that doesn't matter all thanks to the stupidity of this country. Democracy has failed once again. If he gets a majority and gets rid of Employment Insurance as planned will be interesting to see what happens to this country when they are all on welfare.

Dave
Let's hope the PM comes away with a Majority government this time.

Greg from Kitchener
Go Harper GO!!!!
You deserve a Majority!!

Slim
Wait, didn't the LIBERALS send our troops to Afghanistan? Yes, yes they did . . .

Toronto Bobby
What a WASTE of time & $$$$ !!!

Noel
Congratulations to the Conservative government. And thank you to CTV for keeping us informed throughout this election. Your integrity is appreciated.

Andrew in Ottawa
Harper had this election in the bag not more than two weeks ago. Multiple critical mistakes were made (in Quebec in particular) which should really lead Canadians to question whether or not this man is capable to lead Canada in the appropriate direction. Arrogance and false expectations have harmed the Conservative party on various fronts across the nation, but they still possess one key weapon: the uninformed voter. It's funny to see a large group of Conservative candidates who have been playing hide and seek without proper policy actually become elected. We shouldn't act surprised though. Ignorance is bliss.

Valley
I guess Harper got what me wanted after all.

PJ from SW Ontario
To Joe:
Democracy hasn't failed. It may have failed your personal desires and ambitions, but democracy cannot logically fail. It is the essence of the word.

Besides, it ain't over 'til.....

Ottawa_Paul
Although I'm typically a Conservative by nature, Bill C-61 sealed the deal for me. Until the Conservatives obtain a proper leader, I’ll have to continue voting for other parties.

Sue from Toronto
I see Tony Clement has won again in Muskoka. What a joke. If only the people of this riding would do their homework first, they would realize he had to move north to be voted in. Last time they put him in out of frustration, this time stupidity. How sad, another four years of that!!!!

Albert
Conservatives are winning the popular vote. Usually the losers say "If the popular vote was the first criteria, it would be more fair. Well, Conservatives are winning the popular vote, so what say you now????

Joe
Yes Prime Minister (something Harper doesn't deserve to be called) Jean Chretien did send our troops to Afghanistan but as Peace Keepers with the United Nations and they weren't dying in battle cause he kept them out of the line of fire. Unlike Harper he didn't kiss America's a** and make our troops join NATO and fight in our first conflict since the Korean war. We were sent there as Peace Keepers not warriors. Thanks to Harper all those soldiers have died. They weren't dying before he was elected!

Gelareh in Richmond Hill
I dont understand how the majority of people are against Harper and yet he's re-elected.
How does that make any sense?

The Backpacker
Come on majority government!

Harper will step down, Dion will get the boot and we'll finally have some fresh and hopefully decent candidates next time around!

Mark 5
Canada is a fractured divided country of extremes.

Andrew Oliver
Wake up Canada! why is it that you cannot deal with change? we needed to change our government. even Mr Harper said so by calling this waste of an election. This is a sad day in Canadian history. again we sit under a man who wants to send more troops to Afghanistan, wants to screw the health care system and give money to the fat-cats who do not care for the working class people. Cmon people, we need a change in our government.

Reece
Looks like Canadians don't trust the Conservatives at the helm without a very very tight leash around their necks.

Well done, Canadians.

Another minority gov't....I'm guessing Harper wants another try since he suggested something along those lines. Does this mean we'll be having elections every 6 months? Mr Harper, be careful what you wish for because Canadians are a fickle lot; just ask Stockwell Day - he thought he'd Seadou his way to victory until his Seadou snagged voter anger.

JP
OH OH
Harper in again - Take your money out of the banks and be prepared to lose you jobs-
How much MORE will he make a mess of our country -

SO SO SAD for the low income and seniors

Lynne, Calgary
Well, dysfunctional is the deficit spending practices and higher taxes to pay for it that the NDP and Liberal's were touting.

Joseph
Harper is getting dangerously close to a majority. Think that I will get ready to be drafted into the army within the next month as it is the only way that Harper will get the troops in Afghanistan and Iraq (when he helps the U.S out there as well) that he already promised them when he gets that majority. Don't worry all you rich people. I'm sure you can make some bribes so your sons and daughters won't have to go over there and fight.

Bryan
Another minority. Can't wait until Dion starts making claims again that he can bring down the government whenever he wants. How many votes do you think his party will walk out on this term?

gord
i can't wait to cast my ballot in another 3 months

Steve - Regina
All our major social programs and watchdog programs were initiated with minority governments. So why on earth would we want to pass the reins of a majority government to a man who clearly has shown he could care less about the bottom 80% of Canada's economic pool, or the rights and freedoms citizens of this country have enjoyed for so long?

Steve in Vancouver
I've been voting since the 1970's. Every time we've been told the BC vote will make all the difference. Every time, when the BC polls closed, the networks would announce the fact and would tell us who had won, and that our votes didn't matter. This time the networks didn't even bother to announce the BC polls had closed. I think that says it all.

Mo
Good showing Greens.

Greg from Kitchener
Well Canada loves the Conservatives, Harper is a great leader!!! what a great election!
I am so proud to be Canadian and a Conservative!

Brian, Calgary
It's amazing how the Liberals rewrite history. Chretien didn't send troops to Afghanistan as peacekeepers. He sent them because he thought the battle was over and didn't want to send them to Iraq. He clearly misread the situation.

The Conservatives should have been given a majority. Harper is clearly the best PM we've had in ages. Too bad the left-wing media in this country is more concerned about advancing their own agenda than what is best for the nation.

Peggy
Wow, Conservatives have gained at least 15 seats. That's called a VICTORY people! Fighting against 4 tree huggers and gaining is NOT EASY!

Anne
Chrétien said NO to go to war in Iraq. Harper would have sent our kids to get killed in IRAQ.

This is a very sad night day for Canada. Harper scares me. All we can hope is that the Republicans south of the border losses. Harper/Palin will kill our planet.

Miqui
I am not sure what all you non conservatives are complaining about. If we elect the Liberals during and economic slow down they will back end load us for the next 10 years. And no one breathing and old enough to remember the NDP in the 90's Ontario will EVER put them in power federally. Wasted votes? Sure, any vote for the Green Party or the federal NDP.

Randi
After all is said and done, it's business as usual in Canada.

BORING!

Mark - Vegreville, AB
Reading the posts thus far tonight paints a very ugly picture of the attitudes of Canadians.

Look, the results are the results. The people have spoken. It is not ideal for any party and is not ideal for Canada. But until our attitudes change as an entire country and we learn how to work together and exchange ideas without the rhetoric, we are doomed to years of political nastiness from the grassroots up.

And deservedly so.

Tom
Could not the bloc/NDP/Liberals form a gov't this time around?

I'll be interested to see that as well they would be representative of what most Canadians actually wanted.

To all you conservatives out there. I'm sorry but 30 something percent does not a majority make. Means well over 60% of Canadians hated your prime minister. I think if the three parties combine it will be time to put the first past the post system out to pasture. It's ridiculous that a party that gets 13% of the vote gets zipo while a party that gets under 40% of the vote can form the gov't. That's not democracy. We need to find a better way so that everyone is represented.

Hope in Sask
Can't believe people still vote Conservative after the past couple years. Do people care about social programs, the economy or the environment? Conservatives do nothing but cut funding to programs and pay no attention to the economy or care about the environment.

Jon - NS
Let's drop this Afghanistan issue. Unless you wear, or have ever worn a CF uniform you don't have the right to talk about soldiers giving their lives. Give them the choice, ask them how they feel about what they are doing.

iveyraj@hotmail.com
Time for the left talk about uniting. It's amazing how the right, which never exceeds 35% of the vote, is still ruling the country.

Wouldn't the Green Party's objectives have been much better served if all their votes went to the Liberals?

Diane M.
It is time for Dion to go. Hope he realizes it. Liberals might have a team,but they sure don't have a coach.

Ryan, NYC
This is weird. While we in the US are set to vote in the equivalent of a Liberal president, Canadians re-elect a George Bush. Hmmm, weird.

brian
Tonight Dion resigns, March 09, Ignatieff new leader next election by March 2010, NDP support will evaporate to the Liberals and here we go again.

Joe
Can't believe that Finance Minister Jim Flaherty has even been re-elected. Despite the huge crowd of General Motors workers that know he is the reason they are being fired protesting his policies.

Oh and Harper has 145 seats now. 10 more seats and he has his majority and can finally send Canada to war in Iraq like he has been wanting to do but didn't have the power to do it before. Hope some of these rich Conservatives that elected him have to send their sons over there.

Jake
How can we not have a right to talk about Afghanistan? How ridiculous! The soldiers don't decide where they go, Chretien sent them there!

Sukhdev
Canadian people have to learn from previous experince. Harper wasted 300 million of tax payers money and Dion just remained out of the parliament in the past. It was the time to teach both of these parties a lesson.

Eliz
Go Harper!!!! I would love to see Canada Blue!!!

Mike Toronto
Woohoo $300 million spent and were back to the same minority! Good job Canada!

David Patte
The results show the deep flaws in our polical system; where the BQ can have 50 seats, and the green none - despite getting almost exactly the same popular vote.

Rosco
JP
You wouldn't have any money in the bank to take out. The Liberals would have got it with there carbon tax

"Stephane we didnt get the job done"
The Liberal party has lost their base in Ontario, in the Maritimes and in Quebec and are losing their hold on Toronto.

They are all but wiped out in the west and BC.

These are near historical losses for the Liberals.

All those Liberal bloggers need to rethink their dirty "gotcha style politics" which has failed miserably as it should have.

The truth is Mr. Harper was correct, the carbon tax was a dumb idea rejected by the majority of Canadians.

The Liberal brand is passe and out of synch with the shift in western democracy towards Conservatism in general.

Sweden is now conservative and now Canada too again.

Gerry Mawdsley Delta BC
ALmost everyone ended up back where they were at the start of this trip.
So much for stopping global warming!!What a waste of money and resources.

The boomerang election!!

Bernard Romanycia
Our Prime Minister is still duller than dishwater and still can't win a majority.

Joe Sanity
Minority government again. Seeing as Stephen Harper told the Governor General his last minority was unworkable, does this mean he'll be stepping down? Just in case he doesn’t, I’ve got my “Don’t blame me, I didn’t vote for Harper “ license plate ready to go! ;-)

Louise in Kelowna
Elections Canada is saying this is costing us $300 million, for what, another minority government. What a waste of our money. The new government had better learn to play together for the next four years, or I think we as Canadians should be annoyed.

Robert
Once again our politicians haven't worked during the month of September. With the cost of the election and lost work in Ottawa, how can anyone say our politicians work for us anymore. We voted in a minority, they should quit looking at their personal goals and get to doing the work we voted them in for. Work together please.

Exiled Canadian
Well, it's been fun.

Let's do this again in 12 months. BTW, Harper is no Bush. And none of the four leaders on the left are Obamas either. Canada IS a very different country than the U.S. in many ways.

Wade In Calgary
And who was the viable alternative to Harper and the Conservatives..? I didn't see one. Dion, NDP, or the Quebec Divorce Party of Canada are the far scarier scenarios in my estimation.

Jason
It is unfortunate that all of the parties ran negative campaigns throughout the last few weeks.

Instead of spending more time on solid plans to solve our economic issues, parties seemed to rely on a couple of tax cuts to bash on the Conservatives, while Harper flopped around the issues looking unsure about his position at the best of times.

This election was a turn off for many Canadians, and other than having spent millions of dollars on campaigns and ballots, nothing has changed.

As usual the voters seemed to have failed the democratic system. But the blame cannot only be put on the voters. No parties during this election tried to encourage voters to actually vote for them.

Bev.
What is wrong with so many eastern Canadians?
I am from the Maritimes and I'm ashamed that Eastern Canadian voters vote for so many Liberals and NDPs. It is appalling that intelligent adults could continue vote for parties that do absolutely nothing to benefit the citizens of this great country.
We need to have a large Conservative majority in order to get rid of the liberal policies that have cost Canada dearly and made our laws an international joke.

Janet Page
My comments are regarding the difficulty I had in voting.I had gone on line to see where I was to vote but was unable to find the information.I returned home from work at 6:10 went immediately to the polling station I have been to in the last 3 elections and was told to go to another. Was told there to go to another one.Went to the third one. I did not receive a notice in the mail so had to register.Stood in line for 25 minutes after that hearing more people than I could count say they had not received a notice in the mail and finally left the polling station at 7:28 as the doors were being closed.It's just a good thing I take voting seriously as a democratic responsibility.What a disorganized mess!

Brent
Ominous result from Papineau.
We haven't retired the last Trudebt, we can't afford another.

Samael
Conservatives won in my riding good enough for me.

Joyce
You'd think the Liberals have won this election.
Is this what we get for the Liberals sitting on their hands. Interview after interview, where is the interview for Ms. Raitt, who defeated Garth Turner, and others who have defeated Liberals.
I wonder how the Liberals ever got this many seats after all they sat on their hands and got paid a handsome sum for not showing up when votes took place, they did not do their job.

Doug Findlay
Harper should see this as a strong rap across the knuckles for breaking his own legislation in favour of plain-as-day opportunism.

This is a thrilling result. What a colossal waste of time and money.

Terry S
Poor Harper. His last chance to get a majority gov't down the tubes. At least we will get a Liberal majority back in this country within 1-2 years.

Artist3d
I totally agree ... Harper should be admonished for squandering $300 million of our money going against his own legislation and promise to hold the line to fixed election dates.

Brenda
Yay, Stephen, go blue!!!!!!

Geoffrey Spencer - Ottawa
I too was hoping for the right majority government to be formed: A conservative majority government. So close PM Harper. So close. Next time. Shame to hear that Duceppe's BQ won so many seats.

HOMER
It's as good as a majority...for now. The Liberals will turf Dion and want a new leader. Leaders Convention Etc....This takes time ( 1-2 years ) They dare not bring down the Government until they are ready. Thus, if Harper makes everything a confidence vote, the Libs will abstain, and the Bloc/NDP don't have the number to stop it. Thus, Harper can govern like a Majority until the Libs get their act together again....Dion didn't cut it, his carbon plan didn't cut it. Time to try again...Trudeau Jr. Maybe, if he can win his seat.

Roy
I still belive Harper has a hidden adjenda that will only come out with a majority. I agree what we need right now is stable goverment. Seeing the negitive tactics of the Conservitives over the last year had turned me completely off them. I'm glad some checks will be put on them.

Bewildered in Toronto
Tonight I sleep the sound, sanctimonious sleep of a Conservative supporter.

This, with an appreciation there are still enough people who refuse to be manipulated by the expected, professional, sleazy tactics of a Liberal Party that would be better served to run itself upon its own sword and an NDP Party that wonders why its railings have an impressive ring and aroma, but limited shelf-life except for those who are our self-annointed betters.

Meanwhile, as Trudeau the Younger considers The Next Big Run as he ponders his and Canada's destiny as if they were synonymous, Steamboat Paul can slink back to consider his offshore holdings.

Bob Rae can take his riding-win as a signal he is still in the running for The Throne while Jack can take the meager gains of the NDP as a mandate to continue the rants.

Congrats to my former Calgary MP, Stephen Harper.

MM
What a waste of money to reiterate what we already knew. More taxes to pay for this of course. I wonder what the government will cut next on me.

Saude, Calgary
We had the absolute best prime minister and government that we have had in over 40 years. There was more accomplished during the last one and a half years than has been accomplished in the past 40 years. There is still a lot to be done to change the bad policies we have had to put up with in the past.
Hopefully Harper can and will make the needed changes to help and protect all Canadians.

Steve the Pundit
Let's review what really happened in this election:

- the promised breakthrough of the "green movement"? Didn't happen

- Jack Layton "applying for the Prime Minister's job"? Didn't happen

- Liberals convincing the electorate that they are "better stewards" of the economy? Didn't happen

- Stephane Dion showing himself to be anything other than what he was portrayed to be? Didn't happen

- Conservatives gain additional support for their policies and they way they've been running the country for the last 30 months? Check. And Mate.

As for the "majority that didn't happen"? What political leader WOULDN'T want a majority in an election? I'm sure Harper's a little disappointed, but if anybody thinks this is an indictment of his leadership, they're sadly mistaken.

Congratulations, Prime Minister Harper. Here's hoping you're able to stay the course.

Linda H from Kingston ON
I think it's disgusting that millions of dollars have been blown to merely gain a couple of seats and achieve nothing more, on this election. Harper has been pandering to the nation over the past couple of years in the attempt to sway the public's opinion of him with slicing a bit off the GST and attacking the other political parties. I assumed when I became old enough to vote that we were voting for a leader of our nation, not a follower of other nations - namely the US. And if you won't give me the Liberal Federal Gov't I crave, then at least give me McKay over Harper!!

Tim in Windsor
I find it funny how here in Windsor with such a huge automotive industry and automotive support industry that the UAW in it's immature and uneducated views had people vote NDP for the only reason being that they had the best chance of defeating the Conservatives. Shouldn't people cast an educated vote?

Dave in Surrey
So we spent 300+ Million dollars for status Quo... Great economic decision Mr. Harper, I'm so proud we have someone like you as our leader...

Jeff
The people have spoken.

No carbon tax

Paul B.C.
Go Harper go,

The Liberals are paying for their thieving and lying, Gagliano rings a bell. Actually, Dion bringing Chretien and Martin was a power move.

Now let's prepare for the next step, winning a majority...

Paul B.C.

david sandford
Harper is toast, any other "photogenic" leader of the Liberal party would've defeated him.....next time.

Sue
Well done Mr. Harper. You have managed to spend a large amount of our money to gain nothing. Perhaps you need to learn about teamwork! Sorry, I forgot, you only understand a one man show.

Brent - Penticton
Interesting comment from Bob Rae regarding Prime Minister Harper not getting a majority, which in Rae's view is a defeat for the Conservatives. I wonder what Rae calls the Liberal performance tonight, a moral victory because they didn't get completely wiped off the electoral map.

The long knives are now out for blood, and I think that Mr. Rae is sharpening his saber as we speak. Let the blood letting begin.

eric
I consider another Tory minority government a win for Canada.

Bluenose
Why the heck does Quebec not separate and save us all the continued agony? They continue to elect the Bloc? Dear Quebec, every other province is tired of you! Time to leave.

John M
I was hoping that at least in Canada we could choose a PM based on his knowldege, skills, education and other qualification. not based on what language he/she speaks or what race he/she belongs. but ignorance and lies always wins that is why an actor or a millionair can become a PM.
i dont think this is democracy.

Alberta Blue
You know maybe it is a chance to change all the leaders. Clearly Dion must go. Jack did gain much, Steve didn't gain much, Gilles didn't gain and well Ms. Green got nothing. Time for the next generation of leader to step up to the plate.

pm
this is a call to all us conservative members across the country. - we need a new leader asap. this man has proven 3 times that he can not get the job done. let us come together as a whole and pick someone who will.

Brittany in Southern Alberta
It's too bad that the Green party hasn't gotten any seats, but at least Harper won't have a majority.

Thesis Bullshite
I see we're following in the footsteps of our American friends, but that was their last 8 years, not the coming 8 ! I really thought more Canadians were smarter than that.

Alberta will be signing " drill baby drill "
Let's see how long it lasts.

God, I feel sick. I really hope our kids don't have to suffer for this one.

Let's see how long your love for right lasts.

I thought the American Republicans were
crazy !

God help us.

Marg in Calgary
I am SOOOO glad Dion did not get in - for one thing, he was hard to understand, and secondly, all I ever heard out of his mouth (when I could understand him), was slamming Harper and Layton. I never heard anything of importance come out of his mouth. Anyone who wants my vote better set aside the mud-slinging and give me a reason to elect you.

Joe Sanity
re: Paul B.C.

"Now let's prepare for the next step, winning a majority..."

The last couple of elections have left me a little short of cash. Maybe you and "Steve" can front the bill for the next one.

Victor King
This can easily be the worse nightmare for the Conservatives; winning another minority. Harper can now be seen as a non-majority player. This is the best he can do given the fractioned left-center. Remember the Liberal almost sweep the country when the right was fractioned. Another minority Conservative will allow the Liberal to regroup and find a winning party leader who will certainly do no worse than Dion. NDP can pretty well forget about doing anything meaningful unless they shift somewhat to the center.

Anne in Saskatchewan
How are we as a nation ever supposed to come together and have a gov't that works efficently, when there is political parties that only favor one province? Mr. Duceppe said himself tonight, the Bloc's goal was to stop a majority gov't. Would be nice if all provinces had their own "national party" to protect the interests of their province, how would our democracy work then? It seems that some in Quebec need to start talking about "we" as Canada, not "we" as Quebec.

Nite Owl
Sadly, now we know for sure that negative cheap shots work. Now we document every misstep of the Conservatives and use it in the next election. We search for every bad picture and facial expression and plaster it on TV. It's a new world and this is how politics works now. Thanks for the lesson Steve. Trust us, we've learned it well.

Becky
Although for Conservative supporters, a minority result is disappointing considering a majority seemed for a time within reach, I personally am still encouraged by the result. Here are some reasons.

1. Although the Conservatives did not pick up new seats in Quebec, the reasons were not primarily related to national unity. The issues which decided this election for Quebeckers seemed to be more about supporting arts and about youth justice. This issues may be very different when the next election happens.

2. Since the Quebec vote was not about national unity, Ontarians were free to vote without regard to how their counterparts in Quebec voted. This resulted in gains for the Conservatives.

3. This renewed Conservative mandate will likely further fracture the Liberal party. That party will have increaased its debts from this election, and will now have to face an expensive leadership race.

4. Gradually, with the Conservatives in power over more time, the general anti-Conservative bias of the Senate, Civil Service and (dare I hope, the media) will be lessened.

5. If the Conservatives effectively weather the economic storm, and/or if the Canadian Dollar spends some time in the $0.80-$0. 90 cent range, next time the NDP/Bloc message about propping up manufacturing and forestry might not resonate so much.

I absolutely think Stephen Harper should continue as leader of the Conservative Party. As an economist, a brilliant man, and a small-c conservative, he is definitely the man to lead our country at this time.
Congratulations Conservatives!

Tom in Eastern Ontario
the leadership and how they did.

Duceppe- Bloc- Niether good or bad. Kept his Quebec which is what he needed. Leadership will stay not in any danger. Pretty much a good job

May- Green- 13% of the popular vote. that is a huge improvement. No you didn't get a seat but obviously she is headed in the right direction. I think it's safe to say we'll see her next election. Without Dion in power I see her getting a bigger percentage next election as well.

Layton NDP- 38 seats and above 20% of the vote and gave the Libs quite a scare. I think it's safe to say he'll be around. though he may bow out if he thinks a revived Libs will hurt his legacy. Still he ended on a positive note and he would be the only one to threaten his leadership.

Dion- Libs- He's toast. Point blank. With the amount of people that were upset with the conservatives it should have been easy to take them down. His Carbon tax that even the NDP was like that's to left for us. That just killed him and his support of May he made the liberals seem less centre then the NDP. If the liberals don't get rid of Dion then it's for sure a conservative majority next time with an official NDP oposition. Think Liberals really think next time you elect a leader of your party.

Harper- Conservative. I don't call it a win for him but it's not a loss either. Unless the three left parties gang up and get rid of first past the post he's fine.

Craig-HintonAB
I live in a riding where the Tories get 4 times more votes then all the other parties combined. Without proportional representation can someone explain to me why I bother to vote at all?

Stephen in Toronto
Jean Chretien always said Kyoto was good ... but all he did was talk ... he had 8 years to ratify it in the house with a majority ... but never did. Stephane Dion as environment minister did a lot of talking too ... but no action.
Stephen Harper, has passed more legislation regarding the environment in the past 2 years than the liberals did in ... 13 years?
It's sad when all the liberals can do is blame Stephen Harper for their own inaction. No wonder the liberals have lost again and worse than before.
Even sadder still is that I'm not sure any of he parties, including the leading one has the ability to make Canada the leader it once was. Within this global economic crisis, Canada is in the BEST position across the globe to shine above the rest. the opportunities are endless. Unfortunately, I fear this opportunity will be squandered. It's too bad "none of the above" wasn't a real option in this election.

Wendy In Montreal
Well, I'm pretty happy with Harper. Guess that vote swap didn't work out too well. heh heh In Quebec, Duceppe lost 4 seats and it was a protest vote. Maybe Harper will smarten up and stop catering to Quebec.
Dion, will of course, be toast. Rae looks like he can taste the leadership. After all he was the spokesperson during the campaign. No money in the coffers though so there won't be an election any time soon heh heh. As for Mae, poor dear, lost in her riding. That's what happens when you tell people to swap votes, you lose! Pretty embarassing heh heh. On a positive note, she'll slide over to the Liberals. Jack did okay but he's a follower. Should be fun in the big house. Looking forward to it.
Prime Minister Harper, Canada did come thru but Quebec let you down once again. Next time you'll get it. Your still the best prime minister canada ever had in many many years. Congrats!
At least, we won't have any new taxes. Harper, your the man!!!!! Well, that's the summary from me. Only time will tell.....

Jake in Ontario
Re Bluenose's comments: I agree with you, let's encourage Quebec to take their socialism with them and leave this confederation. It is time for Conservatives to call upon Quebecer's to leave the Canada.

Canada can move on to prosperity and greater economic growth without drag of the province of Quebec on this nation!

Tonight's results out of Quebec are shameful! Separate!

Ken/Calgary
This is more or less a majority governmnet except for the math. The BQ will have zero desire for an election before 4 years. Why would they risk their 50 or so seats against a stronger Liberal leader a year from now?

mike d
wow!! what a poor loser dion is!

Lorna-Mae van Kley
Lorna-Mae Port Alberni BC
Well the split happened again because of the Bloc Quebecois only representing the interests of Quebec. Why are they even a national federal party?
Hopefully the parties will work together to make Canada run for the better

chuck from BC
if the liberals really want a chance at coming close why don't they get a guy from any province besides quebec? how about danny williams of nfld?

My ten cents.....
This election was NOT a waste of $250 million dollars.

This worked out at about nine bucks each!

Compare that with how much Dion's carbon tax would have cost each and every one of us.Mr Harper had to call the election in order to get even a minority that worked.

He has increased his seats by 7 and more than that he has also shown he has an overall majority on the number of votes cast...

And Mr Dion.....still blaming...refuses to talk to the CTV election team at his HQ because you guys showed the clip about him wanting to re-start his interview four times because he didn't understand.

Now the Libs will now have a Leadership convention coming up and Bob Rae....to say the least is sharpening the knives with glee....

I believe the Liberals are toast until they start listening to the electorate.

grizzlyadams
And the point was...? I am getting very tired of voting every couple of years in an election that really doesn't make a difference. If Mr. Harper decides to call another early election this term...I - for the first time in my life - may decide not to vote at all. We didn't need that $300 million anyway did we?

James in West Island Montreal
Re: Jake in Ontario and Bluenose:

While I agree with your opinion about Quebec separating, I am a little concerned about job security. I am a Maritimer working in Quebec (had to leave NB to get a job) simply because I have been looking for a career in NB that pays a decent wage for that last 15 years and there are no jobs available! (unless you want to work for Irving or a Call Centre) The one thing about Quebec that is good is the government sponsors a lot of companies with tax credits to stay in QC. If they separate a lot of jobs, including mine will most likely be gone! I got a kid to feed and a roof to keep over her head!

Regardless, I respect your opinions

Thomas Scott
How wonderful. The Conservatives expanded their minority government. I prefer they do not have a majority because it allows the most sensible party to be moderated by the other parties. It is the best of both worlds...

BM Happy in Calgary!
Good showing for the Conservatives and NDP. The Liberals are done, for at least a couple of years. The Block(heads) will say that anything given to Quebec for the next two years was their doing. The NDP will rant and rave and nobody will care. 1 seat in Quebec and they are a national party....joke that is! The only true national party is the Conservatives. They can now act like a majority for at least a year as NONE of the opposition parties would want to be reason for another election. Give the Conservatives a chance Canada and you will see that they alone will get us out of this economic mess the WORLD is in. Harper is the man and now the other parties can just be quiet, listen, and LEARN from him! GO HARPER!

Anne in Saskatchewan
I find it humorous that the media is shocked by the voter turn out. Really for some people, I'm sure it was "what's the point?" Most every Canadian could have predicted who was going to get elected in their riding, and in some(like mine) quite handily.
Up until last election, I always voted knowing that it never mattered how I voted, because Ontario and Quebec make the decision on who ends up running the country anyways.

jeff in BC
i'm with you chuck from bc i believe danny williams would better this country but not as a liberal but as a conservative. I believe that canada has shown the liberal party tonight that they do not want another french leader from quebec!!!

Taylor
Perhaps Dion should have run his campaign against Harper, not G W Bush.

Once again the Liberals tried to demonize Harper. When will the figure out that they are only alienating the 35% - 40% of the nation that is conservative?

lowell
So nothing changes. The cons just pick up a few more seats. However they did stir up a hornets nest in the liberal party, something which they not have intended to do. If they can't get a majority with a leader like Dion, who was panned by the media from day one, what chance will they have against the next liberal leader. Come to think, there probably are any number of conservatives who aren't happy with Harper's performance either. Maybe will be having two leadership challenges.

John a Progressive Conservative
Predictable results.

What a waste of our money.

It is only the weakness of Harper's main opponent that allowed any improvement in his party's numbers.

People do not trust Mr. Harper. This election result proves it once again as he was unable to capitalize on what would have been a cake walk for a more palatable and trusted leader.

He is not and never has been a centrist. Most Canadians are. He has too much baggage from his Reform party days and too many people surrounding him who are not moderates and never could be.

Bring on Peter McKay as leader and raise the profile of talented moderates such as Jim Prentice so that the next campaign in 24 - 30 months won't be another waste.

Dion's fate was never really in question.

Will the Conservatives finally admit that they also must get rid of Harper in order to really convince people that they intend to run this country from the center.

Niki Stewart
You where talking about the the very small voting turnout in Canada. I just want to say that in the short 20 minutes I was in line to vote , there where 4 young Canadians turn down and unable to vote because they were working in Alberta and had homes in Ontario, and did not have their voting cards. To me, there should be a revised voting system to ensure that ALL eligible Canadians have their right to vote counted and recognized during and elections.

Peter
First off, I have no loyalty to any political party. However, this election Harper wanted proved to be a waste of time and taxpayer money, especially with the issues facing Canada. Several millions wasted to have another minority government, which was predicted by many who don’t wear rose coloured glasses.

If Harper had any vision like a true leader has, he would have foreseen that Canadians are not ready to give him a majority government. Even with the weak leadership of the Liberals due to Dion, Harper could not get a majority. Hence, that is failure. Nobody in power of a minority government calls to have another election to have the same result.

So I guess its back to the same status quo, what ever it was.

Jared from regina
Wow.

Sure Harper gained seats over the last government, and Liberals lost a bunch, but when your given a Leader of Stephane Dion, and then he gives you his leading policy that has the word tax on it, and you STILL can't pull off a majority, if that was me, I'd feel like an idiot.

VERY PROUD CONSERVATIVE
Now can we stop all this bickering. More Canadians trust Harper than before. It was not a waste of time as it looks like the parties will try and work together more. We have told them to work together and we still think Harper is the best one to pull us together.

Carol
All you guys that voted for Harper have your heads buried in the sand. He has and will never do anything for us. Coffee is on. WAKE UP

Gopal Sengupta
I believe that we are solely responsible for our choices, and we have to accept the consequences of every deed, word, and thought throughout our lifetime.And this election isn't an exception.
Politicians must think about election, re - election and political bankruptcy rather they will think the financial turmoil all over and that will be the silver lining in the dark clouds for ordinary Canadians.

Marc
Awww... Greens couldn't win a seat. Surprise surprise!

Denise
I have worked in elections since I was 18 sometimes for Elections Canada in several provinces, and sometimes as a candidates representative. This was the worst I have seen it. So many people turned away from the polls, some on the voters list, but no ID with an address, such as the 18 year old wanting to vote for the first time. He had a health card and student card, but lives at home so had no bills or mail in his name and does not drive. He did not get to vote. So very many Aboriginal people who did not have sufficient ID to vote. Confusion about where to vote and not always helpful registration officers at the poll. Is it just Saskatchewan (I'm new here) or is it this bad everywhere. An election where so many people are denied their right to vote, is not a democratic election. And the lineups, due to the ID problems and the people who just gave up and left after waiting 20+ minutes. There is no need for this. Elections Canada and the government needs to fix what is broken. Let us make it easier for people to vote, not more difficult if not impossible.

KG
Well it is over

Lets Focus on Keeping Canada Strong

Congrats Stephen!

Kris
After the 2006 election, I celebrated with beer and popcorn. What to use this time? I'm thinking something green is in order. Absinthe?

korie in bc
once again we are at the mercy of a bush lap dog. i feel sorry for my country. i am now 31, i have voted every time since i was 18, i have seen the younger generation fail to vote because they feel their vote didn't matter. this time their failure to act is this countries failure.
there is no one to help us, i am saddened.

John of Calgary
We spent $300 miliion to shift 19 pieces of furniture in an Ottawa office chamber.

That was really efficient. Thanks Stephen, you really know how to spend money!

Peter
VERY PROUD CONSERVATIVE,

Harper couldn't work with a minority government before, crying it was dysfunctional, which was the main reason for calling this election. And yet, some how, you think it will be all different this time around with basically the same minority government. LMAO.

Take the blue coloured glasses off.

Rob
Let me say it! I now support a Western Party. Let Quebec leave!

Evan in Athabasca
Hi folks,

I used to live in Edmonton, I worked at Northlands park, we experienced our first casulties even when Jean Chretien was prime minister.

So no blame game in this corner about casaulty comparison to who ruled....

Ogwila
This was one big waste of money for our county.
I was not going to vote as I was not happy with anyone running in this neck of the woods.

What WAS NEEDED ON THE BALLOT SHEETS WAS NONE OF THE ABOVE!!!

Maybe this would have gotten the attention of the people running something to think about!!!!

We are going down like a fast sinking ship as there was not much out there to vote for. Harper is one we should not trust but it appears Canada seems to like him... We will sink and it going to happen faster then we think.
So we will have no one to blame but ourselves.

Ian in Guelph
What would -=YOU=- do with 300 million dollars?
Play now! Best odds ever! Odds are one in three you'll win!

Rykhaard
There goes the Canadian population of the 'common man', down the drain.
All's fine for businesses, but not us. :P

Dan
WE just watched hundreds of millions get spent for the same result, another minority.

Lets wait for the spin on this.

Now Dion will quit and next time, it will be different.

Benjie York
A waste of time and money. I watched Obama. Dion's team has more brains and ideas than the right wing neo cons who governed like a majority before. Time to have rep by pop elections

Madaine
So, nothing really changes. Good to know our tax money went to fund an election that did not really lead to any change... especially in this tough economic climate. That was $150 million we did not really need.

As for my local riding, funny how MacKay won when he apparently refused to campaign in certain parts of his riding. I live a street over from Louise Lorefice (NDP)and never once received a Conservative flyer in the mail or any canvassers. I am on maternity leave with a sick baby. I don't leave my house.
Deeply insulted by "The Honourable" Peter Mackay

JJ
Waste of time of time and money that could have been spent helping those in need. The percentage of of Voter turnout, 58% says a lot that Canadians are fed up with the rehtoric of politicians!

Annoyed In Alberta
well this was a huge waste of time, Harper called this election to hopefully get rid of the minority because he wasnt getting anywhere with it originally and he ended up with the same thing again....Isnt that saying something to him? So we voted today, big whoopie, I dont see this vote changing anything, It was pointless, plain and simple. They might as well all start compaigning tomorrow for the next election 2 years from now because we all know thats exactly whats going to happen

Donna Thompson
Sensibility Rules!

I predict the Harper government will get their majority, great leadership always gets acknowledged, for it cannot be denied.

Great leadership is an indisputable fact, and Prime Minister Stephen Harpers confidence compliments his ability.

Right on to the conservative government, and may you hold up strong against your opposition, which could be coined as "Jeolousies of the intellect"

MURAWSKY
I love how that flip flopping slim BVOB RAE can twist his parties shattered reality into a victory. "they didn't get what they want, so it's a loss.. " ... the only loss is that YOU continue to get a job working for us. Torontonians will likely forget how he started the ruination of our city and province when he becomes the Liberal leader for the next election. You make me sick BOB.

Ryan Hunt
I can't believe that after the last two Liberal Prime Ministers and there overwhelmingly high levels of corruption, people are still voting Liberal. We needed a majority now we will just have a few more years of pointless bickering in parliment. Getting tough on young offenders should have been more than enough to get a majority win.

Miles
Merely some observations...

So many people claiming 13% for the Greens, almost doubling their actual number of 7%. Sorry folks, still a fringe party that dilutes the centre-left vote. Suitable for protest votes only.

Harper inherited a nice surplus and has taken it into a deficit in a little over 2 years (watch for that announcement now that the election is over). 25 billion to banks that have declared record profits for years. Inflation has reared its head.

Dion runs one of the most inept campaigns I have ever seen. Even when given the chance to bail on the Green Shift that the econbomic crises afforded him, he ignored the opportunity. The hurdles he put up for people like Garneau and Trudeau were near idiocy.

Why do people get so upset with Quebec voting PQ when no one notices that Alberta has been almost exclusively conservative for a lot longer. At least Quebecers have shown a willingness to change their minds occasionally.

Considering the history of great minority governments in Canada, why the need for a majority? Harper could try some consensus building.

Why do I cringe when people start flinging around terms like "bias media"? Oh right, it's a lame excuse that some people like to use to excuse the shortcomings of their party.

Turnout in the high 50s, man are we slowly becoming like the apathetic Americans? Nasty campaigns and nobody cares all that much.

You know, I like Layton, just wish he'd yank the party's ideology (particularly fiscal) into the 21st century.

Wouldn't Williams versus Harper be entertaining?

And finally, one of the huge weaknesses for the Conservatives (for me) is that it is still a one man show. Harper seems a little too greedy for power to share it with his own cabinet. That makes me nervous.

David at Acme Alberta
A religous comment, if that is still aloud in Canada? Canada, Canada, you sleeping bear, wake up! wake up! and vote next time for what is rare. Our economic woes are the result of our own actions. What you do in the physical world has direct consequences in the spiritual world. I wish there was a leader who would truly come out and say that they stand for God or not. I would know then who I am truly voting for and I would also have a sure guarantee that my children's children would have a future in this country. People cannot expect to follow the agenda of the left wing media and still expect that they will live prosperous lives. It may
seem so for a season but not for long.