We have taken back Ontario, says Ontario's premier elect Doug Ford
Ottawa, June 8 (IBNS): Premier-elect Doug Ford, whose Progressive Conservatives have secured a majority government ending nearly 15 years of Liberal Party rule in Canada's Ontario province, said the people of the region have spoken by electing his party to power.
"My friends, this victory belongs to you. This victory belongs to the people. And tonight, the people of Ontario have spoken," Ford said in a speech to supporters at an event in Toronto.
"We have taken back Ontario, we have delivered a government that is for the people...A new day has dawned in Ontario — a day of opportunity, a day of prosperity and a day of growth," he said.
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The New Democratic Party (NDP) will form the Official Opposition as Liberals lost the vast majority of their seats at Queen's Park with their lowest-ever share of the popular vote.
Kathleen Wynne, Ontario's first female and LGBT premier, by securing seven seats failed to win eight seats necessary to maintain official party status which led her to resign from her re-election in Don Valley West.
In his victory speech, Ford became emotional as he thanked his brother, a former Toronto mayor.
Ford was easily elected in his riding of Etobicoke North.
"I know my brother Rob is looking down from heaven. I'm just getting chills talking about him right now. I know Rob is celebrating with us tonight. We owe so much to Rob's legacy," Ford said.
New Democrats Party (NDP) managed to take 40 seats, up from the18 they held when the campaign began. Their leader Andrea Horwath said: "I could not be more proud that we offered a positive vision: change for the better. New Democrats rejected the politics of fear and cynicism, and we put hope and vision for a better future at the heart of our campaign."
"Together, we won more seats than we have held in a generation. And I am deeply humbled that Ontarians have asked us to serve as the new Official Opposition."
Several prominent Liberal cabinet ministers also lost their seats, including Charles Sousa, Yasir Naqvi, Steven Del Duca and Glenn Thibeault.
Ford had taken the lead of the party less than three months ago, when he won leadership race on the third ballot after former leader Patrick Brown abruptly resigned.
(Reporting by Asha Bajaj)
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