2009-06-09 21:13:24
An NDP majority in Nova Scotia and a south shore sweep for the party. Vicki Conrad held on to her seat, winning in Queens. Sterling Belliveau was returned as the NDP MLA for Shelburne. Two cabinet ministers on the south shore were unseated with Judy Streatch falling to Denise Peterson-Rafuse and Carolyn Bolivar-Getson ceding her seat to Gary Ramey, a first time candidate. In Lunenburg, Pam Birdsall was elected as the New Democrat representative.
The first N-D-P government elected east of Ontario has not only won -- it's won big. Voters in Nova Scotia have delivered a decisive majority win to a party that offered a modest platform and a commitment to balance the province's books.
The N-D-P is elected in 30 ridings and leading in one. It appears the Liberals will be elevated to the Official Opposition, with the Grits elected in 10 ridings and leading in one. The Tories have won 10 seats.
The New Democrats swept to a majority government by boosting their share of the popular vote to 45 per cent. That's up from about 35 per cent in 2006. The Tories fell to 25 per cent from 40 per cent in the last election. The Liberals polled 27 per cent of the vote, up a touch from about 23 per cent in 2006.
Tune in tomorrow morning for results and reaction to this historic night.
