Voters weigh in as Trudeau wins second term

MONTREAL – Chants of “four more years” erupted at the Liberal headquarters in Montreal Monday night as the party was declared victorious.

Chants of four more years as Radio Canada declares a Liberal Government #elxn43 pic.twitter.com/bVlPFaqA2f

— Cormac Mac Sweeney (@cmaconthehill) October 22, 2019

Liberal leader Justin Trudeau won handily after leaping to an early lead in his Papineau riding, a seat which he has held since 2008. Trudeau thanked all who helped with the Liberal campaign and told Canadians he will continue fighting for their best interests.

“To my fellow Canadians: it has been the greatest honour of my life to serve you for these past four years, and tonight, you’re sending us back to work for you. We take this responsibility seriously, and we will work hard for you, for your families, and for your future,” he said.

“And to those who did not vote for us, know that we will work every single day for you. We will govern for everyone.”

Trudeau specifically addressed voters in Saskatchewan and Alberta, provinces which elected the Conservatives almost exclusively.

“Know that you are an essential part of our great country,” he said, adding he wants to be there to support Canadians in the prairies.

WATCH: Analysis of Liberal minority

Young voters in Trudeau’s riding react to results

Young voters were expected to play a large role in the election with Millenials forming the largest voting block in Canada and the first lot of Gen Zers being able to cast a ballot.

“I think a minority government is good for democracy. I think it will force all parties to work together,” said Ronny Al-Nosir with Quebec’s Force Juenesse, or Youth Force, a group of young people working to “defend and improve intergenerational equity in public policy”.

The group, along with many other young voters, was on hand in Trudeau’s riding to watch the election results pour in.

“The climate issue has never been as present in an election campaign, and that’s a good thing… No government will be able to ignore that issue.”

He says governments are forced to act “decisively” on the issue now, pointing to environmental rallies across the country, some of which Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg attended.

WATCH: Alyssia Rubertucci speaks with young voters in Montreal

For Idil Issa, Vice-President of Montreal-based Fondation Parole Des Femmes—Foundation Women’s World–the victory of their home-grown prime minister gives them hope.

“I am happy we have a minority Liberal government as opposed to Conservative. I think having a strong NDP presence in the house means that there is going to be a progressive element,” she said. Issa says for her and her community Quebec’s Bill 21 was top of mind for the federal election.

“We can see how Bill 21 played into Quebec, the Bloc wave was evident of that,” she said. Some politicians and city councils outside Quebec have denounced the bill disallowing public servants from wearing religious symbols–hijabs, crucifixes, kippahs, etc. Some in Quebec said while the secularism legislation impacts people of all faiths it was made to target specifically Muslims.

“For myself, for my community, I think it’s hopeful, for the causes we care about and the issues we care about as Canadians.”

Alberta voters say it’s time for West to ‘have their voice’ heard

“I just don’t understand how this government can win again,” said Kristopher Morton, an oil and gas worker in Devon, Alberta, just southwest of Edmonton. He is frustrated with the second Liberal term. “It’s an embarrassment.”

Morton said it’s time that the west had its voice heard, even suggesting separation, an idea that’s been hot in Alberta as of late. Morton and Rod Deans, who also works in the energy industry, are worried that more jobs will be lost in the oil patch.

“Being landlocked with our resources has a great impact amongst everybody. It goes across every division,” said Deans.

Andrew Scheer‘s Conservatives swept Alberta, an unsurprising result for Morton and Deans.

“I feel there’s a stronger leader in the Conservative party. I feel that we were let down by the type of person that’s representing the [Liberal] party right now,” said Deans.

Trudeau was previously elected as the 23rd prime minister during the 2015 federal election with a majority government. He was elected leader of the Liberal Party in April 2013.

–Alyssia Rubertucci, Megan McPhaden, Sarolta Saskiw, Cole Fortner, Sean Marks, and Dawson Enns contributed to this report.