Canada voted in its first new leader in 10 years in a general election that handed Justin Trudeau’s Liberal party an absolute majority — and dealt a stunning blow to incumbent Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
“This is what positive politics can do,” Trudeau told supporters in Ottawa early Tuesday morning as the last few results trickled in.
“I didn’t make history tonight, you did.”
The victory denied a fourth term to Harper and his Conservative party. Because Canada does not have term limits, Harper has held the position since 2006.
He conceded defeat and will resign as leader of the party, but said he’ll remain in parliament as a lawmaker.
“We put everything on the table, we gave everything we had to give and we have no regrets,” he said just before 10 p.m. in Calgary (midnight ET).
“The people of Canada have elected a Liberal government, which we accept without hesitation,” Harper said.
‘We beat fear with hope’
Liberal candidates have secured 184 seats — or “ridings,” the Canadian term for federal electoral districts — putting them over the line for forming a majority government. A total of 170 seats are needed for a majority.
Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition, as Harper’s Conservatives will now officially be designated, have 99 seats.
As the crowd chanted his name, Trudeau said the Liberals won because “we listened.”
“We beat fear with hope, we beat cynicism with hard work. We beat negative, divisive politics with a positive vision that brings Canadians together,” he said.
“Most of all we defeated the idea that Canadians should be satisfied with less, and that better isn’t possible. My friends, this is Canada, where better is always possible.”
Beginnings of a dynasty?
The son of Pierre Trudeau and scion of Canada’s first, nascent political dynasty, the 43-year-old surged into the lead in recent weeks, largely on the back of anti-Conservative sentiment that saw Harper’s party lagging as Canadians went to the polls.
Before the grueling, 78-day electioneering cycle began, many dismissed the younger Trudeau as trading off of his father’s achievements and the famous family name. But pundits in Canada have praised his campaign and the way he has led the Liberals to what transpired to be a sweeping victory.
Before the grueling, 78-day electioneering cycle began, many dismissed the younger Trudeau as trading off of his father’s achievements and the famous family name. But pundits in Canada have praised his campaign and the way he has led the Liberals to what transpired to be a sweeping victory.
Now this is change...and boy is he he handsome?!
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