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Canada election: Liberals head for historic victory Canada election: Liberals sweep to power
(35 minutes later)
Canada's opposition Liberal Party is heading for a big victory in general elections, ending nine years of Conservative rule, early results show. Canada's Liberal Party has decisively won parliamentary elections, ending nine years of Conservative rule, partial results show.
The Liberals, led by Justin Trudeau, are leading in 191 electoral districts. The Liberals, led by Justin Trudeau, are leading in 185 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 was fighting for a fourth term - is leading in 104 districts. Incumbent Conservative PM Stephen Harper - whose party is leading in 103 districts - accepted defeat.
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 Speaking after the polls closed, he said he had already congratulated Mr Trudeau, saying the Conservatives would accept the results "without hesitation".
His party said Mr Harper would resign as leader of the Conservatives.
Addressing his jubilant supporters shortly afterwards, Mr Trudeau said that Canadians "sent a clear message tonight - it's time for a change".
"This is what positive politics can do," he said, also praising Mr Harper for his service to the country.
Meanwhile, the left-leaning New Democratic Party (NDP) looks set to lose almost a third of the 54 seats it held in the last parliament.
"I congratulated Mr Trudeau on his exceptional achievement," said NDP leader Tom Mulcair.
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? '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 gave the Liberals their first taste of victory, as they led in all 32 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.
Analysis: BBC's Anthony Zurcher, Liberal HQ in MontrealAnalysis: BBC's Anthony Zurcher, Liberal HQ in Montreal
It has become a night of superlatives for the Liberals in Canada.It has become a night of superlatives for the Liberals in Canada.
For only the second time in history, a party has gone from third place in parliament to first.For only the second time in history, a party has gone from third place in parliament to first.
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.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.
They won at least one race in the Conservative fortress of Calgary, hometown of Prime Minister Stephen Harper, for the first time since 1968.They won at least one race in the Conservative fortress of Calgary, hometown of Prime Minister Stephen Harper, for the first time since 1968.
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.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.
At Liberal Party headquarters in Montreal, the mood has gone from excitement to pure jubilation, as the crowd cheers win after improbable win.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'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.""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 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".