The Liberals are in — and Stephen Harper is stepping down as leader of the Conservative Party.

The Liberal Party is projected to form a majority government after a red tide swept key ridings in the GTA, Quebec and the East Coast.

“Sunny ways, my friends, sunny ways!” said Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau in his victory speech. “This, my friends, is what positive politics can do.”

Trudeau thanks his wife and volunteers, applauding the campaigns “positive” message.

“A positive, optimistic, hopeful vision of public life isn't a naive dream - it can be a powerful force for change,” he said to cheers.

Trudeau graciously thanked Harper, and promised to work with the Conservative Party in the future.

“Conservatives are not our enemies, they are our neighbours,” he said.

But one person he is unlikely to work with is Harper, who stepped down as party leader, said Conservative Party national president John Walsh. Harper asked Walsh to reach out to the newly elected parliamentary caucus to appoint an Interim Leader and to the National Council to implement the leadership selection process, Walsh said.

“The disappointment you also feel is my responsibility and mine alone,” Harper told a crowd of his heartbroken supporters.

Harper congratulated Trudeau on his grand victory, and said that while he wished for a different outcome, “the people are never wrong.”

“We put everything on the table, we gave everything we have to give and we have no regrets whatsoever,” he said.

The Conservatives are poised to take the place of official opposition after winning most of the Prairies, but not without suffering brutal losses of their own — especially amongst its cabinet ministers. Former Tory finance minister Joe Oliver, and former immigration minister Chris Alexander both lost.

The Liberals took back most of the ground they lost in the GTA in 2011, but their success comes largely on the back of the NDP. The Liberals defeated many incumbents such as Peggy Nash (Parkdale—High Park), Craig Scott (Toronto-Danforth) and Paul Dewer (Ottawa Centre).

“Friends, from the very outset this election has been about change and tonight Canadians have turned the page on 10 long years and they reject the politics of fear and division,” Mulcair said at his rally.

“In this campaign Mr. Trudeau made ambitious commitments to Canadians and Canadians will have high expectations for their next parliament.”

In Toronto, NDP candidate Olivia Chow conceded to Liberal candidate Adam Vaughan. Chow had previously served as MP for Trinity-Spadina, but Vaughan won the riding in a by-election after Chow stepped down for run for the mayoralty in Toronto.

“We pick ourselves up from our highs and from our lows … together we continue to build our dreams, we continue to move forward,” she said in her concession speech to her supports.

Trudeau won his riding in Papineau handily. After a tight race, NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair’s won his riding of Outremont (Q.C.) against Liberal candidate Rachel Bendayan. Conservative Leader Stephen Harper won his riding of Calgary Heritage.

Elizabeth May won in Saanich-Gulf Islands (B.C.), the only seat for her party, but Bloc Quebecois Leader Gilles Duceppe lost to NDP candidate Hélène Laverdière in Laurier-Sainte-Marie (Q.C.).

Former Conservative Prime Minister Brian Mulroney also congratulated Trudeau on his win.

“I think that in some quarters he was underestimated and he got a real big bite tonight, and that’s what happened,” he told CTV news.

Key wins and losses

NDP candidate Olivia Chow lost to Liberal candidate Adam Vaughan.

Former police chief Bill Blair won in Scarborough Southwest.

Peter Kent won in Thornhill.

Former immigration minister Chris Alexander lost to Liberal candidate Mark Holland in Ajax.

<bullet>Liberal Marco Mendicino wins over former Conservative finance minister Joe Oliver.

Longtime Ottawa MP Paul Dewar (NDP) lost his seat in Ottawa Centre to Liberal candidate Catherine McKenna.

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Leader Gilles Duceppe lost to NDP candidate Hélène Laverdière in Laurier-Sainte-Marie (Q.C.). He was the only party leader to not keep his seat.

Liberal MP Chrystia Freeland took University-Rosedale after a much-watched race against NDP newcomer Jennifer Hollett

Liberal Julie Dabrusin beat NDP incumbent Craig Scott, who held Jack Layton’s old riding of Toronto-Danforth.

Conservative incumbent Julian Fantino, who was the associate minister of National Defence, lost to Liberal candidate Francesco Sorbara in Vaughan-Woodbridge.

Liberal candidate Arif Virani beat NDP incumbent Peggy Nash in Parkdale-High Park.

<bullet>Liberals won the Beaches—East York when candidate Nathaniel Erskine-Smith defeated NDP incumbent Matthew Kellway.

Local unknowns:

York Centre is tied between incumbent Conservative Mark Adler and Liberal Michael Levitt.

Kitchener-Conestoga is tied between Conservative incumbent Harold Albrecht and Liberal Tim Louis.

Barrie-Springwater-Oro-Medonte is tied between Conservative Alex Nuttall and Liberal Brian Tamblyn.

Whitby is tied between Conservative Pat Perkins and Celina Caesar-Chavannes.

Who’s leading so far

Liberals have taken 174 seats in the House of Commons.

Liberals have won almost every riding in the Maritimes and Newfoundland and Labrador and the GTA.

Conservatives have 94 seats, making them the official opposition.

NDP have 31, and the Bloc have 8. The Green Party only has 1 seat.

Diane Lebouthillier elected for Liberals in Gaspésie-Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine (QC).

With files from Jillian Kestler D’Amours and Tonda MacCharles

Correction - January 7, 2016: This article was edited from a previous version that incorrectly said MP Lisa Raitt lost her seat.

