South Okanagan - West Kootenay candidates weighed in on the early results that show the Liberals winning a majority government.
"We're thrilled to see that Canada's back on the right track," said area Liberal candidate Connie Denesiuk. "He's the only leader that offered real change, now. The Conservatives said the status quo is good enough and the NDP said they'll balance the books and then maybe fulfill their promises later. People want change and they want it now. And that's what Justin Trudeau offered."
Although results are still coming in, Justin Trudeau's party is currently projected to win a majority.
"It's a new hope for Canada. I mean, we're not very happy with the way Canada's handled many of the foreign affairs files. We got two of the three things we've wanted so far — Justin Trudeau is Prime Minister, we have a majority and now hopefully were successful on the local front," said Denesiuk.
As of 9 p.m., the Liberals were leading in 189 seats, the Conservatives in 102, the NDP was ahead in 36, 10 were going Bloc Quebecois and one to an Independent/other party. It took 170 of 338 seats across the country to secure a majority government.
Liberal supporter Rod Plante, who was at Denesiuk's headquarters said he predicted a Liberal majority.
"I could feel it a long time ago. It's been a long time coming. I know it looks to be the 80s again, but so be it," said Plante.
Merle Kindred, Dogwood Initiative, was at the NDP election night headquarters in Penticton on Monday evening. She said she finds the strong liberal shift back east amazing, but is trying to cultivate a calm attitude as she watches the results roll in.
"If it cant be NDP, I'd rather see a Liberal majority."
In B.C., the previous parliament had 20 Conservative seats, 12 for the NDP, two Liberals and Green Party leader Elizabeth May. Riding redistribution has increased the B.C. seat total to 42.
In the South Okanagan - West Kootenay riding Denesiuk took a lead as the first few poll numbers rolled out.
After 150 out of 276 polls reporting in the riding, NDP candidate Richard Cannings held the lead (35.8 per cent) followed by Liberal Connie Denesiuk (31.1 per cent), Conservative Marshall Neufeld (28 per cent), Green Party Samantha Troy (4.4 per cent) and Independent Brian Gray (0.7 per cent).