OTTAWA — Some of what was said after Justin Trudeau's Liberals claimed a plurality of the seats in the House of Commons in Monday's federal election, giving them the best chance to form a federal minority government.
"We all want safer communities, a clean planet and a good quality of life. We want this for ourselves, for our neighbours, for our kids and our grandkids. We seek hardship for none and prosperity for all. That is the world we're working toward, and if we unite around these common goals, I know we can achieve them." — Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau.
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"To those who did not vote for us, know that we will work every single day for you, we will govern for everyone. Regardless of how you cast your ballot, ours is a team that will fight for all Canadians.... To Canadians in Alberta and Saskatchewan — know that you are an essential part of our great country. I have heard your frustration and I want to be there to support you. Let us all work hard to bring our country together." — Trudeau.
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"After the 2015 election, when Justin Trudeau looked unstoppable, all the pundits and experts said it was the beginning of another Trudeau dynasty, that he would have another 8 or 12 years in power. Tonight, Conservatives have put Justin Trudeau on notice, and Mr. Trudeau, when your government falls, Conservatives will be there and we will win." — Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer.
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"I also want to talk about Grassy Narrows — a community that represents the injustice, historically and ongoing, that Indigenous people continue to face. The people of Grassy Narrows are so resilient in the face of neglect and negligence and being ignored and being told they don't matter, being ridiculed — we brought the national campaign to Grassy Narrows to let them know that they do matter, that they are worthy, and that Indigenous reconciliation is sometimes as simple as basic respect and dignity for the First Peoples of this land." — NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, talking about the remote northern Ontario community of Grassy Narrows First Nation.
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"The real winner of any election should always be the people, and that means Canadians ... they want a government that works for them, not for the rich, the powerful and the well-connected. And if all MPs elected tonight hear that message and act on that message, then the real winners of this election will be the people." — Singh.
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"It's a big breakthrough to have a seat in Fredericton. It breaks us out of the box of people only thinking we're a Vancouver Island party."— Green party Leader Elizabeth May after candidate Jenica Atwin won the party's first seat outside of B.C.
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"I have a thought that's friendly but, above all, one that recognizes a team. A little team, but a team that executed an impossible campaign —in time resources, in human resources, in money. We have done more than a lot with less than everyone." — Bloc Quebecois Leader Yves-Francois Blanchet.
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"My heart goes out to our 315 candidates across the country. They showed extraordinary courage and passion in defending our principles and policies. They did it despite nasty and shameless attacks from our opponents. They made huge personal sacrifices to offer voters a principled alternative, different from that of all the other parties. But what they did was not in vain. What we managed to accomplish in only one year is spectacular." — People's Party of Canada Leader Maxime Bernier.
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"Although a majority of Canadians didn't vote for any one political party, a majority of Canadians did vote for a more ambitious climate action plan. Now the parties and members of Parliament must work together across party lines to forge an alliance to deliver action in line with what Canadians are expecting and what science tells us must be done." — Tim Gray, executive director of Environmental Defence.
The Canadian Press
