Harold Albrecht last Conservative standing in Waterloo Region

It was a seachange in Waterloo Region Monday night.

After being a Conservative stronghold since 2008, residents in Waterloo Region elected Liberals to four of the area's five ridings, with incumbent Harold Albrecht left as the only Tory MP, representing Kitchener-Conestoga.

"After 10 years in government, any government, people begin to look for change," said Albrecht in an interview with Craig Norris on The Morning Edition.

"To have withstood the red wave in my riding is a real honour for me," he said.

To have withstood the red wave in my riding is a real honour.- Harold Albrecht

Close race

It was a close race for Albrecht, beating out Liberal candidate Tim Louis by just 351 votes, earning just over 43per cent of the popular vote.

Albrecht credits his win to his ground game and his local reputation.

"Over the last 10 years I have worked hard to represent my constituents ... but also to be engaged at community events," said Albrecht."I have been accessible to my constituents, I think people have appreciated that."

Albrecht said he walked over 1000 kilometres and lost 17 poundsknocking on doors and speaking with voters in his riding.

"I do know from going door-to-door that there were a lot of people that did not support my party, that did not support my prime minister, but said 'I appreciate the work you've done here in the riding and I'm going to be voting for you,'" he said.

Working together for Waterloo Region

In his nearly 10 years serving Waterloo Region, this will be Albrecht's first term as a member of the Official Opposition.

"I don't know what it will be like but I can tell you... we are going to be doing everything we can to hold this government to account, especially as it relates to the economic platform," said Albrecht.

Albrecht said, if given the opportunity, he will work with the newly-elected Liberal MPs to make sure Waterloo Region interests are representing in Ottawa.

"There are so many big issues that MPs need to work together on, across party lines, and I think my track record in Parliament shows that I can work well across party lines and I don't expect that to change," said Albrecht.

In Kitchener-Conestogavoter turnout was at 69.4 per cent, just above the national average of 68 per cent.