FedElxn-Roundup
Posted May 2, 2011 10:09:36 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The early returns show the Conservatives are heading for at least another minority government.
The Tories are starting to increase their lead with all the polling stations in the federal election now closed.
Ballots are being counted in vote-rich Quebec and Ontario as well as Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta and polls have just closed in B-C.
Overall the Tories are elected or leading in more than 130 ridings — more than double the total for the New Democrats.
The Liberal vote appears to be collapsing, with the party leading or elected in just pver two dozen ridings.
In Atlantic Canada, the Tories picked up three seats and the New Democrats two — all at the expence of the Liberals.
(Ontario)
Two party leaders — the N-D-P’s Jack Layton and Michael Ignatieff of the Liberals — are expected to retain Toronto Danforth and Etobicoke-Lakeshore respectively.
The Conservatives are running Chris Alexander, Canada’s former ambassador to Afghanistan, in Ajax-Pickering against Liberal incumbent Mark Holland in what is expected to be a close battle.
In Brampton Springdale, the Conservatives are looking to gain ground at the expense of Liberal Ruby Dhalla, who is embroiled in a controversy over the treatment of two caregivers hired to look after her mother.
(Quebec)
The Tories and New Democrats are neck and neck in Quebec.
The Bloc Quebecois is leading in just a handful of ridings after being a provincial powerhouse since 1993.
(Prairies)
Prime Minister Stephen Harper, looking to retain Calgary-Southwest, and several of his cabinet ministers are shooting for re-election in Western Canada.
Justice Minister Vic Toews (TAYVZ) holds the Manitoba riding of Provencher, Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz represents Battleford-Lloydminister in Saskatchewan and Immigration Minister Jason Kenney holds Calgary-Southeast.
Deputy Liberal Leader Ralph Goodale is seeking re-election in the Saskatchewan riding of Wascana.
And Tory incumbent Candace Hoeppner, best known for introducing the private member’s bill that nearly felled the long gun registy, looks to retain Portage Lisgar.
(Atlantic Canada)
The Tories have pulled off a surprise win tonight in Newfoundland and Labrador, where Peter Penashue has captured the riding of Labrador from the Liberals.
The Liberals are the big losers in Atlantic Canada — losing five ridings — three to the Tories and two to the N-D-P.
New Democrats picked up one riding in Newfoundland and Labrador and another in Nova Scotia.
(Prominent Candidates)
Several prominent candidates have been re-elected in Atlantic Canada.
Defence Minister Peter MacKay has won a decisive victory over his rivals in Central Nova.
Fisheries Minister Gail Shea has held onto her seat of Egmont in P-E-I.
Liberal Finance Critic Scott Brison has been re-elected in the Nova Scotia riding of Kings-Hants.
Former Mulroney cabinet minister Bernard Valcourt took the riding of Madawaska-Restigouche from the Liberals.
