Trudeaumania: The Next Generation

Justin Trudeau is returning to his boyhood home, 24 Sussex Drive, completing the first father-son dynasty in Canadian history.

The 43-year-old will be Canada’s next prime minister after his party steam-rolled to a stunning majority victory following the longest and most expensive general election in modern times.  The Liberals also become the first to vault directly from third party status to government — easily overcoming the Conservatives, who will now form the official opposition.

You can view the election results nationally and by riding here.

Trudeau previously lived in the prime minister’s residence for much of his childhood while his father was in office for almost 16 years.

Meanwhile a Conservative party statement says Stephen Harper is stepping down as leader — although the outgoing Prime Minister didn’t mention that during his concession speech last night.

More details about Harper’s resignation are expected from the president of the Conservative Party at 9 am this morning.

In a statement last night John Walsh said Harper has asked that the Conservative caucus pick an interim leader until a leadership convention can be called.  But at this point it seems he’s staying as the MP for his Calgary-area riding.

Harper has been the only leader of the party that formed in 2003 through the merger of the Progressive Conservative and Canadian Alliance parties.

Tom Mulcair, who’d aspired to lead Canada’s first national NDP government, instead lost the party’s hard-won 2011 grip on official opposition status.  The New Democrats were decimated, dropping to 44 seats after entering the election with 95.  But Mulcair says the NDP still has a major role to play in the new parliament.

While Mulcair managed to hold on to his Montreal seat despite a tough Liberal challenge, he hasn’t said what the future holds for him as leader.

Green party leader Elizabeth May also kept her seat, and while Bloc Quebecois leader Gilles Duceppe helped his party gain ground, his personal bid to come out of retirement failed.