Tom Mulcair stays on as New Democrats suffer a crushing blow

Tom Mulcairpromised Canadians the New Democrats would continue to fight for them in Parliament, even afterhis partysuffered a crushing blowMonday night, losing seats in Quebec andprominent candidates in other provinces.

"From the beginning, this election was about change. And tonightCanadians have turned the page on 10 long years and have rejected the politics of fear and division," said Mulcairto a few hundred supporters gathered in Montreal.

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Mulcairthanked voters for re-electing him in the Montreal riding ofOutremont, butdid not say whether he plannedto stay on as leader of the New Democratic Party.

After his concession speech, an NDP spokesperson told CBC News thatMulcair willnot be resigning as leader.

"With this election, Canadians have asked us all to work for them," said Mulcair."We will not let them down."

Mulcair, who was seen as an effective Opposition Leader, put on a brave face as he gave a short but gracious concession speech.

The party was reduced once again to third-party status after rising to Official Opposition following the "orange wave" that hit Quebec underformer NDP Leader Jack Layton in 2011.

Mulcairsaidhe had spoken with the other four federal party leaders before taking the stage.

"Despite our many differences on policy and on the way politics should be conducted, I thanked Mr. Harper for his service to our country."

"I congratulated Mr.Trudeauon his exceptional achievement for both him and his party,"Mulcairsaid, adding that "in this campaign Mr.Trudeaumade ambitious commitments to Canadians, andCanadians will have high expectations for thenext Parliament."

Prominent MPs defeated

"I want you to know that we will work for you each and every day in this new majority Parliament," Mulcair said while noting "major differences" between the New Democrats and Liberals.

"During the last 78 days, the emphasis was put on that difference to allow Canadians to make a choice. And today, Canadians made a choice, and we respect it with all humility," Mulcair said to a small and visibly deflated crowd of supporters.

The first sign of trouble came early in the night after the first polls closed and the results startedto showa Liberal surge in Atlantic Canada.

Much to the party faithful's dismay, the NDP lost much of its front bench Monday night, including its Deputy Leader Megan Leslie andlong-time incumbents Peter StofferandJack Harris.

The party also lost other prominent MPs in Quebec and Ontario, including one-time interim party leader Nycole Turmel, Mathieu Ravignat and ve Pclet.

Others who also lost to the Liberal candidates included high-profile NDP MPPaulDewar, who was defeatedin Ottawa Centre for the first time in 11 years, andAndrew Cash, who lost Toronto's Davenport riding.

Re-elected New Democrats includeHlneLaverdire, who beat BlocQubcoisLeader GillesDuceppefor asecond time, andRuth EllenBrosseau, the MP who made a trip to Las Vegas during the last federal campaign.

'Unwavering' in the pursuit of NDP priorities

Mulcair vowed New Democrat MPs would work "with other parliamentarians" to build a better future for all Canadians.

"We will be unwavering in our pursuit of better health care for Canadians. We will stand strong in our fight against climate change and to protect our land, air and water."

"And we will be resolute in our efforts to build a true nation-to-nation relationship with First Nations, Inuit and Mtis Peoples," said Mulcair.

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"It's on these priorities and many more that New Democrats will make real and lasting progress."

Mulcair's New Democrats were leading in the polls when the election was called on Aug. 2 but began to lose steam halfway through the campaign.

By mid-September, the NDP saw its support plummetin Quebecafter Harper'sConservatives used the niqab at citizenship ceremonies and the promise of a tip line to report "barbaric cultural practices"as a wedge issue.

The party's support continued to declineafterMulcairtook a strongstand on the issue during a French-language leaders'debate.

Outside of Quebec, the NDP's promise to balance the budget may have pushed progressive voters who grewtired of austerity measures towards the Liberals.

Tom Mulcair Interview with Peter Mansbridge

9 years ago

Duration 32:46

NDP Leader Tom Mulcair sits down for an exclusive interview with Peter Mansbridge.

While the resignation last week of DanGagnier, theLiberal Party's national campaign co-chair, put the fire in the belly of the NDP leader, it was too little too late.

Mulcair ended hiscampaign in Montreal ina symbolic gesture intendedtopay homage to Layton'smemory but also as a way toreenergizethe base ina finalpush before Monday's vote.

"Love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair,"Laytonwrotein a letter to Canadians made public days before he died after his battle with cancer.

"So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic,"Laytonsaid. "And we'll change the world."

In the end,Canadians opted for changejust not the change the New Democrats had hoped for.

RAW: Tom Mulcair concession speech from Montreal.

9 years ago

Duration 6:32

NDP Leader Tom Mulcair makes his concession speech before supporters in Montreal.