Canada '11: The Results

The Conservatives finally won their coveted majority by stealing a vast majority of seats in the Greater Toronto Area from the Liberals. Outside of the GTA, there were very few gains for the governing party of Canada. In fact, they lost nearly half of their seats in Quebec all of which fell victim to the NDP Orange Wave, or as it should be known now, the Orange Crush. Break out the pop ladies and gentlemen! The national results are as follows:

Conservative Party of Canada - 166 seats (+23) with 40% of the vote
New Democratic Party - 103 seats (+66) with 31% of the vote
Liberal Party of Canada - 34 seats (-43) with 19% of the vote
Bloc Quebecois - 4 seats (-44) with 6% of the vote
Green Party of Canada - 1 seat (+1) with 4% of the vote

The results tonight mark the first time the NDP has ever formed the official opposition, and the first time sinking of the Liberals to third place. This is a huge step towards the establish of a two-party system with the Conservatives and Liberals. Michael Ignatieff even lost his own seat, and I wouldn't expect him to be party leader much longer. Gilles Duceppe, who also lost his seat has resigned as leader of the Bloc Quebecois, after receiving its worst election result ever. Its result of four seats, bars it from party status in the House of Commons. Interestingly, the Green Party won their first seat ever in Saanich - Gulf Islands despite their support eroding to half of its 2008 base.

Esquimalt - Juan de Fuca also fell victim to the Orange Crush with Randall Garrison of the NDP elected MP with a margin of 406 votes over Conservative Troy DeSouza. This marks two successful campaigns, and as much as I hate Conservative majority governments, I don't know if I can handle another campaign as sign coordinator, at least initially.

The results before us tonight are incredible. Like most, I have yet to realize the true potential of our party and our message in the future. So many have converted to our cause, so many have been enlightened, the NDP could by the next election form the government. But until then, we will stick to our values and see Jack Layton as leader of the Official Opposition fighting for us each and everyday. Damn were good!