On Oct. 19, 2015, Canadians across the world voted in the 42nd Canadian general election, removing the Conservative party from the ruling position that they’ve held for the past nine years. The Liberal Party of Canada, led by Justin Trudeau, secured 39.5 per cent of the vote, as well as 184 seats in the House of Commons to form their first majority government since 2000.
The Conservative Party of Canada secured second place, with 99 seats in the House, to become Canada’s official opposition party. The New Democratic Party of Canada, led by Thomas Mulcair, was in third place, securing 51 seats in the House.
Before ballots slowly trickled in, many analysts expected some kind of coalition government formed between Trudeau and Mulcair. Shorty before election day, the Globe and Mail began running a prediction campaign, attempting to forecast the election’s victors.
According to the Globe and Mail, there was an 18 per cent chance that the Liberal party would form a majority government. However, a Liberal victory was expected, with the Globe and Mail predicting an 81 per cent chance that the Liberal party would win the most seats.
The surprises began early in the evening, with the Liberal party successfully securing all 32 seats in Atlantic Canada, before moving through the rest of the country and removing any expectations of a Conservative re-election. It soon became clear that the NDP would not be able to maintain their position as Canada’s official opposition, and that the Canadian political map would more closely resemble the early 2000s than 2011.
NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair was the first to deliver a concession speech. Thanking the party’s supporters and those who pledged their vote to an NDP parliamentarian, Mulcair was humble. Accepting his party’s defeat, Mulcair was quick to suggest that the changes in government brought on by the election were in Canada’s best interest.
“I congratulated Mr. Trudeau on his exceptional achievement for both him and his party,” said Mulcair. “In this campaign, Mr. Trudeau made ambitious commitments to Canadians, and Canadians will have high expectations for the next Parliament.”
Mulcair reaffirmed his commitment to Canadians, and maintained that the NDP would continue to work towards the success of Canada and its people.
“With this election, Canadians have asked us all to work for them,” said Mulcair. “We will not let them down.” Later in his speech, Mulcair promised that he and his party will “work for you each and every day in this new majority Parliament.”
Prime Minister Stephen Harper was the next to deliver a speech. Thanking all of the Conservative party’s supporter, Harper reaffirmed that he had no regrets for his time in Canada’s highest office.
“We put everything on the table, we gave everything we have to give, and we have no regrets whatsoever,” said Harper.
He later took responsibility for the Conservative loss, stating that “the disappointment you also feel is my responsibility and mine only.”
Conservative party president John Walsh released a short statement shortly before Harper’s speech, suggesting that Harper would not return as the party’s leader.
Finally, Prime Minister-designate Justin Trudeau took the stage to deliver his victory speech. Prime Minister-designate Trudeau thanked the party’s supporters, as well as volunteers and the almost 2,000 Canadians who ran for office in the general election.
Prime Minister-designate Trudeau’s speech spoke to the optimism and hope of those who voted in a new government.
“Sunny ways, my friends, sunny ways,” said Trudeau, referencing a quote by former prime minister Wilfrid Laurier. “This, my friends is what positive politics can do.”
“We beat fear with hope, we beat cynicism with hard work, we beat negative, divisive politics with a positive vision that brings Canadians together,” said Trudeau.
Canada’s new leader continued by stating “I will be the prime minister of all Canadians.”
Strongly hinting at his ire with the previous administrations legislations, Trudeau outright stated his belief that “A Canadian is a Canadian is a Canadian.”
Especially notable was Trudeau’s comments regarding the former Conservative government.
“Conservatives are not our enemies, they are our neighbours,” said Trudeau.
Positivity was the emphasis of Prime Minister-designate Trudeau’s speech.
“A positive, optimistic, hopeful vision of public life isn’t a naïve dream—it can be a powerful force for change,” said Trudeau.