Ontario's re-elected premier touts 'major minority'

Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty is ruling out making deals with other parties, and says he is proud of the "major minority" his party garnered on Thursday night.

"Im honoured and thrilled to receive the mandate that we have in fact received," McGuinty said at a Friday morning news conference in Ottawa after Thursday's election, in which his Liberal Partycame up just one seat shyof a majority.

McGuintysaid he wouldn't initiate formal negotiations with either the Progressive Conservatives or the NDP, saying he is convinced the opposition parties will want to support the Liberal agenda.

"So if there is a party that has properly positioned itself to ensure that we inspire the confidence, not only of Ontarians but the other two parties themselves, its our party," he said.

He also dismissed talk of of getting a majority through recounts in ridings where the vote was close. "Im going to proceed on the assumption that we are where we are, which is what Id like to call a major minority,"McGuinty said.

McGuinty said he hopes to form a new cabinet "in the not-too-distant future," without offering specifics.

Dwight Duncan will stay on as Ontario's finance minister, McGuinty said, and one of his first tasks will be to present an economic update and plan.

He also dismissed questions about trying to recruit an opposition member to the Liberal benches, and declined to answer a question about why he didn't make more of an effort in northern Ontario during the campaign.

'No to the status quo'

When asked about McGuinty's comments on dealmaking, NDP Leader Andrea Horwath chose her words carefully.

"I think last night people said no to the status quo. AndI think we all have to pay heed," Horwath said at a news conference in Hamilton.

"I think people want a stable Ontario. And Ithink it's our obligation to work together to give them that and that's certainly what I'm prepared to do."

PC Leader Tim Hudak said Friday morning thatMcGuinty would lead the new government "as long as he retains the confidence of the legislature and no longer."

"He should take note, in particular, that it will be awfully difficult for him to get atax hike through this legislature."

In his remarks, Hudak repeatedly talked about the need for the Tories to work harder to appeal to voters in Toronto and the surrounding area.

"And that work starts today," he said."And I will work hard in the weeks and months ahead to earn the trust of more Toronto families. And to the city of Toronto,I want you to know that the OntarioPC Party is there to fight for you."

The Progressive Conservatives did not win any new seats in the Greater Toronto Area.

Hudak bristled when asked by a reporterif he would resign in the wake of his party's disappointing showing, saying "of course not."

With all the votes counted, the Liberals have officially won 53 ridings, one short of the 54 needed for a majority, while the Tories ended up with 37 seats. The NDP finished with 17 seats, up from 10 seats, and will be key players in the new minority government.

The Tory and NDP gains came entirely at the expense of the Liberals, the only party not to pick up seats from the other two parties. The Liberals lost 19 seats in all.