by PAUL RAYNER

Although one major political party in Canada might be left with some soul searching, the federal government is quite similar to the one dissolved last month.

At the end of the October 14 election, the ruling Conservatives made gains, but not enough to shake off their minority status. They rose to 143 seats in Parliament; up from the 127 at dissolution and the 124 they won when they took the government in 2006. The Liberals fell to 76 seats from their 95 at dissolution, that itself down from the 103 in 2006. It was their worst showing since they captured only 40 seats in 1984.

The NDP made gains to 37 seats from the 30 in September and the Bloc Quebecois finished with 50 seats, up two from dissolution. The Greens lost their one seat in the House, and failed to pick up their first elected riding. There were two independents elected as well.

Locally, there were no surprises as Conservative Incumbent Merv Tweed repeated his success in Brandon-Souris. In the traditionally Tory riding, Tweed picked up 57.1% of the vote, collecting 19,557 votes. John Bouche of the NDP finished second, with 6,024 votes (17.6%). David Barnes increased the Green total of the vote to 15.8 % over the 4.6 % Brad Bird received for the party in 2006, and finished third with 5,408 votes. Liberal MJ Willard received 2,836 ballots (8.3%), while Christian Heritage candidate Jerome Dondo (292 votes - .9%) and Communist Lisa Gallagher (124 votes - .4%) picked up the rear.

Nationally, the Conservatives were able to increase their seats in Ontario from 40 to 51 this time around, their most significant increase in the country. However, they were not able to build enough in Quebec to reach the 155 necessary for a majority government, and still have problems in large cities like Montreal and Vancouver. Their minority is, however, more comfortable.

The New Democrats were able to make interesting, if minor, gains. They were able to hold on to their one seat in Quebec, with Thomas Mulcair being the first New Democrat to be elected in La Belle Province in a general election, and they were able to take a seat in Newfoundland and, unbelievably, Alberta. However, the great breakthrough NDP leaders and supporters always wait for will continue to wait.

The Bloc once again picked up two-thirds of the seats in Quebec, but made no real gains. The Green Party once again increased their percentage of the vote (7% against 4.6% in 2006) but also again will not be represented in Parliament.

The Liberals, however, had the roughest night. Receiving a historic low of 26% of the popular vote, the Grits saw their seat total drop 19 from dissolution and almost 30 from 2006. Although they held all of their Toronto seats, and picked one up from the NDP, they dropped from 51 seats in Ontario before the election, itself a low total, to 38. With only 13 seats in Quebec, the party that held a majority government from 1993 to 2004, had a result disappointing to say the least.

National trends seemed to be reflected provincially, as the Tories finished the night with nine seats, including a pickup from the Liberals in St. Boniface, the NDP increased to four, getting Churchill back from the Grits and Anita Neville of Winnipeg South Centre returning as the only Liberal from Manitoba. Other familiar faces like Vic Toews, Inky Mark, Pat Martin and Judy Waslycia-Leis will also be going back to Ottawa.

Nationally, the Conservatives received 38% of the vote, the Liberals 26%, the NDP 18%, the Bloc 10% (37% in Quebec) and the Greens 7%.

In terms of voter turnout, the election set a record. Only 59% of the electorate came out on October 14, a new low for a Canadian federal election. In Brandon-Souris, it was even lower, at 56.7%  - 34,241 of 60,439.