» Tories enjoy strong start but maintain presence as Liberals surge

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OTTAWA — Canada’s Conservatives got off to a good start in Atlantic Canada on election night, but it doesn’t seem to be enough to hold off a fourth Liberal term.

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And Liberal Leader Mark Carney will lead his new government from inside the House of Commons, projected to win his suburban Ottawa seat of Nepean and making him the first PM since Sir John A. Macdonald to represent a riding in the nation’s capital.

Results began trickling in at 7:30 p.m. after polls closed in Atlantic Canada, but by 10 p.m. most news outlets had called it for the Liberals.

But as the clock approached midnight, the Tories began a surge of support, and as of press time continue to nip at the Liberals’ heels.

The Tories got off to a good start in Atlantic Canada, flipping the eastern Newfoundland riding of Long Range Mountains, retaining Central Newfoundland and narrowly leading the Liberal-held Terra Nova-The Peninsulas.

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At press time, the Liberals were projected to win all Toronto ridings — including Yvan Baker in Etobicoke Centre, Ahmed Hussen in York South-Weston, Julie Dzerowicz in Davenport, James Maloney in Etobicoke-Lakeshore, Rob Oliphant in Don Valley West, Karim Bardeesy in Parkdale-High Park, Salma Zahid in Scarborough Centre-Don Valley East, Shaun Chen in Scarborough North, Nate Erskine-Smith in Beaches-East York, Chi Nguyen in Spadina-Harbourfront, Jean Yip in Scarborough Agincourt, Evan Solomon in Toronto Centre, Chrystia Freeland in University-Rosedale, and Bill Blair in Scarborough Southwest.

Conservative Don Stewart, who beat Liberal Leslie Church in the Toronto-St. Paul’s byelection, saw his riding falling to Church.

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Former Toronto City Councillor Jennifer McKelvie is expected to win Ajax, running against broadcaster Greg Brady.

The Conservatives were leading in a number of 905 ridings, including several held by the Liberals.

Projected Conservative wins in Ontario include Melissa Lantzman in Thornhill, Dave Epp in Chatham-Kent-Leamington, Leslyn Lewis in Haldimand-Norfolk, Scot Davidson in New Tecumseth-Gwillimbury, Terry Dowdall in Simcoe-Grey and Scott Aitchison in Parry Sound-Muskoka.

Jamil Jivani also win his seat in Bowmanville-Oshawa North.

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Also for the Tories, Rhonda Kirkland is expected to win Oshawa, Kyle Seeback keeps his seat in Dufferin-Caledon, Michael Chong stays on in Wellington-Halton Hills, Jacob Mantle won in York-Durham, and Ben Lobb stays on in Huron Bruce.

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In an upset, Liberal Francesco Sorbara lost his seat in Vaughan-Woodbridge.

Southern Ontario Liberals keeping their seats include Karina Gould in Burlington, Adam van Koeverden in Burlington North-Milton West, Bardish Chagger in Waterloo, and Chris Bittle in St. Catherines.

Across Canada, MPs keeping their seats include Dominic LeBlanc, Francois-Philippe Champagne, Sean Fraser, Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Chris d’Entremont, Michelle Rempel Garner, Mark Gerretsen, Mona Fortier, Yasir Naqvi, and House of Commons Speaker Greg Fergus.

Also keeping his seat was Liberal MP Wayne Long, who gained attention for his outspoken opposition to former PM Justin Trudeau.

Bloc Quebecois Leader Yves-François Blanchet kept his seat in Beloeil-Chambly, as did Green Party Leader Elizabeth May in Saanich-Gulf Islands.

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Results in Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s riding of Carleton aren’t available at press time.

Also not available were results in Burnaby Central — currently held by NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, but he’s expected to lose his seat.

Another big story from this election was the implosion of the NDP, which lost 12% support in Atlantic Canada, as well as a collapse in support for the Bloc Quebecois.

Parties need to win at least 12 seats to retain official party status, and as of press time the NDP are in danger of not meeting that benchmark.

Getting results — or even information on where to vote — was a challenge for many after Elections Canada’s website bogged down at 7 p.m.

bpassifiume@postmedia.com
X: @bryanpassifiume

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