Liberal Leader Jean Charest won his third consecutive mandate in Quebec on Monday -- a rare feat in the province -- while ADQ Leader Mario Dumont resigned after losing his party's official status.
"In these times of economic uncertainty, Quebecers have recognized the need to have a stable government, and they have strengthened our team by choosing to elect a majority government -- a Liberal majority government," Charest told cheering supporters.
"Dear friends, we will be worthy of your trust, and I will be a premier for all Quebecers."
Charest is the first premier to secure three consecutive election victories in the province since Maurice Duplessis in 1952.
It's a vindication of his move to call an election on Nov. 5, just a year after winning his second mandate and within weeks of Canadians voting in a federal election.
Charest needed 63 of 125 seats to win a majority. By 11:30 p.m. ET, the Liberals were on track to edge past that number:
- Liberals: 66
- Parti Quebecois: 51
- ADQ: 7
- Quebec Solidaire: 1
During the campaign, Charest told voters that a strong mandate would help Quebec weather the economic storm raging around the world. The chaos on Parliament Hill, with federal parties fighting over the fiscal update, may have helped Charest's argument for stability.
He first became premier in 2003 and won a majority government with 76 seats. But in 2007, Mario Dumont led a surging Action democratique du Quebec to win 41 ridings, leaving Charest with 48 and a weakened mandate. The Parti Quebecois won 36 seats.
"I think the premier has always said that in 2007, Quebec voters sent him a message. He really took that to heart," said Dan Gagnier, Charest's chief of staff. "So for the last 14 months, he's been working really hard to meet their expectations."
Dumont resigns
Dumont's strong showing in 2007 was a huge accomplishment, and a major boost to a party that had won just 4 seats in 2003. But on Monday, he suffered a massive defeat, keeping just 7 seats.
At least 12 are needed for official party status in Quebec's national assembly.
"I would have liked to have seen a different result tonight, but Quebecers have spoken and we accept their verdict," he told supporters in Riviere du loup.
"In this context, and in front of all Quebecers and our defeated candidates, I assume responsibility. I'm sure it comes as no surprise that I will not be leading the party in the next election."
Dumont said that after 14 years in politics, and more than 20 as an activist, he felt the time had come to "turn the page." He said he would be devoting more time to his family.
Meanwhile, PQ Leader Pauline Marois managed to regain official opposition status for her party. It was her first election since she took over from Andre Boisclair last year, and she led the PQ to its best showing since 1998.
"It seems the results have surprised quite a few people. But it's because you put your hearts into it. This was done with passion," she said.
Marois then vowed the PQ would be "the strongest opposition since the Quiet Revolution," the era of political and cultural upheaval that shook the province in the 1960s.
Low temperatures gripped much of the province on Monday, making it the coldest election day since 1944. Unconfirmed reports suggested voter turnout was on the low side. But despite the frigid weather, many Quebecers still made an effort to cast their ballots.
"I always vote," one woman from Westmount told CTV Montreal. "Not everybody has the privilege and I've got it and I'm using it."
