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Canada election: Liberals head for historic victory Canada election: Liberals head for historic victory
(35 minutes later)
Canada's opposition Liberal Party is heading for victory in parliamentary elections, ending nine years of Conservative rule, early results show. Canada's opposition Liberal Party is heading for a big victory in general elections, ending nine years of Conservative rule, early results show.
The Liberals, led by Justin Trudeau, are leading in 191 electoral districts.The Liberals, led by Justin Trudeau, are leading in 191 electoral districts.
The son of late Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau is now poised to form a majority government, Canada's CBC and CTV networks predict.The son of late Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau is now poised to form a majority government, Canada's CBC and CTV networks predict.
Incumbent Conservative PM Stephen Harper - who is fighting for a fourth term - is leading in 104 districts. Incumbent Conservative PM Stephen Harper - who was fighting for a fourth term - is leading in 104 districts.
The left-leaning New Democratic Party (NDP) is in the third place - ahead in 32 districts. But the left-leaning New Democratic Party (NDP) looks set to lose a third of the 54 seats it held in the last parliament, according to CBC
To form a majority government, a party needs 170 seats in the 338-member parliament.To form a majority government, a party needs 170 seats in the 338-member parliament.
Canada votes: live updatesCanada votes: live updates
Meet Justin TrudeauMeet Justin Trudeau
Stephen Harper's final stand?Stephen Harper's final stand?
'Sea of change''Sea of change'
Voting hours were staggered across the country and polls opened in Newfoundland at 08:30 local time (11:00 GMT). Polls closed in the west of the country at 19:00 (02:00 GMT).Voting hours were staggered across the country and polls opened in Newfoundland at 08:30 local time (11:00 GMT). Polls closed in the west of the country at 19:00 (02:00 GMT).
It was one of the longest and possibly closest election campaigns in Canada's history, with leaders criss-crossing the country to try to sway undecided voters.It was one of the longest and possibly closest election campaigns in Canada's history, with leaders criss-crossing the country to try to sway undecided voters.
Early counts in the eastern provinces show the Liberals ahead in all 32 seat races there.Early counts in the eastern provinces show the Liberals ahead in all 32 seat races there.
As the results began pouring in, former Conservative Justice Minister Peter MacKay said: "A sea of change here. We are used to high tides in Atlantic Canada. This is not what we hoped for."As the results began pouring in, former Conservative Justice Minister Peter MacKay said: "A sea of change here. We are used to high tides in Atlantic Canada. This is not what we hoped for."
The Conservatives are now in danger of losing all 13 seats they held in Atlantic Canada in 2011.The Conservatives are now in danger of losing all 13 seats they held in Atlantic Canada in 2011.
In a remarkable turnaround, the Liberals - who held only 36 seats before the election - are now expected to form a majority cabinet.In a remarkable turnaround, the Liberals - who held only 36 seats before the election - are now expected to form a majority cabinet.
At the scene: BBC's Anthony Zurcher, Liberal HQ in Montreal Analysis: BBC's Anthony Zurcher, Liberal HQ in Montreal
It was a fairly empty room here at Liberal Party campaign headquarters when Canadian television announced that Justin Trudeau would be the next prime minster of Canada - but those in attendance cheered heartily when they heard the news. It has become a night of superlatives for the Liberals in Canada.
It hasn't taken long for supporters to begin showing up in droves, however, crowding around a stage bathed in Liberal Party red, in anticipation of a Justin Trudeau victory speech sometime later tonight. For only the second time in history, a party has gone from third place in parliament to first.
As national television cameras broadcast the scene, one supporter shouted: "Vive Justin Trudeau! Vive Canada!" The Liberals control more seats in Quebec than they've had in a generation, dealing a crushing blow to the formerly ascendant left-leaning New Democratic Party.
"It feels fantastic," said Michael Wright, who drove to the Montreal from Ottawa because he believed Liberals were poised for victory. They won at least one race in the Conservative fortress of Calgary, hometown of Prime Minister Stephen Harper, for the first time since 1968.
Like many of the Canadian voters who recently told pollsters they were opting for change, he says he's happiest about Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper's impending defeat. Justin Trudeau campaigned as a candidate of change, and his party is poised to hand the incumbent Conservatives one of the worst defeats in their history.
"I wish him luck in his gardening in Alberta," he says with a laugh. At Liberal Party headquarters in Montreal, the mood has gone from excitement to pure jubilation, as the crowd cheers win after improbable win.
"I'm so excited," said Karyn Decore, who flew in from Edmonton - another conservative Alberta city that could send a Liberal to parliament - for Monday night's party.
"I could feel in my heart that change was coming. This is history in the making."
Mr Trudeau, 43, started the race in third place but the Liberals took the lead in opinion polls in a late surge.Mr Trudeau, 43, started the race in third place but the Liberals took the lead in opinion polls in a late surge.
He has campaigned on a promise of change, urging voters ahead of the polling day to "come together as a country".He has campaigned on a promise of change, urging voters ahead of the polling day to "come together as a country".
Mr Trudeau's father, Pierre, is considered the father of modern Canada.Mr Trudeau's father, Pierre, is considered the father of modern Canada.
Mr Harper, 56, portrayed himself as the steady hand who could steer Canada's troubled economy back on track.Mr Harper, 56, portrayed himself as the steady hand who could steer Canada's troubled economy back on track.
His campaign ran TV advertisements saying that Mr Trudeau was "just not ready" to take office.His campaign ran TV advertisements saying that Mr Trudeau was "just not ready" to take office.
"Every single vote for a Conservative candidate is a vote to protect our economy against Liberal and NDP deficits and taxes," Mr Harper told supporters in Regina, Saskatchewan, on Sunday."Every single vote for a Conservative candidate is a vote to protect our economy against Liberal and NDP deficits and taxes," Mr Harper told supporters in Regina, Saskatchewan, on Sunday.
As polls opened, he tweeted that a vote for the Conservatives would "protect Canadian jobs and our economy".As polls opened, he tweeted that a vote for the Conservatives would "protect Canadian jobs and our economy".