"Holy cow. This is stunning. The polls were wrong. This is unexpected."
University of Calgary political science professor Lisa Young, reacting to the election results.

“Tonight our party has, in a very short period of time, made historic strides.”
Conservative Leader Stephen Harper in his post-election speech.

"This is a beautiful victory.”
Bloc Québécois leader Gilles Duceppe in his postelection speech.

"My commitment tonight is that we will hold [Paul Martin] to it with every ounce of energy we have."
NDP Leader Jack Layton in his postelection speech, addressing the social policy promises made by the prime minister.

"When you look at the overall numbers, it looks like Ontario, yet again, particularly in and around Toronto, decided the election."
Lethbridge Community College political science professor Faron Ellis.

"I'm back."
Ottawa Centre MP Ed Broadbent, in a speech in Ottawa's Little Italy as the final votes are tallied.

"It has been a very difficult 36 days. Everywhere I went, people were so nice to me, giving me a hug and a kiss telling me they supported me. It scared the daylights out of me."
Labour Minister Claudette Bradshaw after being re-elected MP for Moncton-Riverview-Dieppe.

"Jack [Layton]’s picture was on the front of every newspaper in the last three or four days and it's very hard to run against that particular flood."
Senator Jerry Grafstein, who campaigned for Dennis Mills against Jack Layton in the riding of Toronto Danforth.