Public Works Minister Christian Paradis, left, presents fellow Conservative Bernard Généreux after his byelection win Monday night. (Jacques Boissinot/Canadian Press)The newest Conservative MP in Quebec says his byelection victory proves the province is warming up to Prime Minister Stephen Harper's Tories.

In an upset win Monday night, Bernard Généreux, the former mayor of La Pocatière, beat his Bloc Québécois rival in the rural riding of Montmagny–L'Islet–Kamouraska–Rivière-du-Loup, handing the Conservatives their first triumph in the region in 16 years.

'I'm a Canadian, and I'm really proud to be, and I will work with the caucus in Quebec and the MPs in Ottawa to advance the country'—Bernard Généreux, Tory MP-elect

"We'll change this old story about Quebec that doesn't want to be with the Conservative Party," Généreux said in a telephone interview after his feat. "I'm a happy guy, I'm a solid guy. I'm constructive, and the party is constructive."

Généreux finished with 1,500 more votes than his Bloc counterpart, Nancy Gagnon. He said Bloc Québécois fatigue helped propel him to victory.

"I'm a Canadian, and I'm really proud to be, and I will work with the caucus in Quebec and the MPs in Ottawa from the Conservative Party to advance the country," he said.

Généreux described his victory Monday as sweet because he has never actually won a campaign, despite serving as a local mayor in Eastern Quebec.

"Actually, I won by acclamation in La Pocatière," he said. "I have never been in a race actually in politics. This is the first time in my life."

He said he's looking forward to serving in Ottawa. "I'm a real fighter, and I like when there's action, and I think there's more action in Ottawa than in La Pocatière, anyway."

Voters tired of voting, Bloc winner says

The Bloc had an easier time in Hochelaga, the other Quebec riding up for grabs in a byelection Monday night, with economist Daniel Paillé cruising to victory with a comfortable 5,000-vote margin.

Bloc Québécois candidate Daniel Paillé celebrates after winning a byelection in Montreal's Hochelaga riding. (Ryan Remiorz/Canadian Press)Only 22 per cent of eligible voters cast ballots, a disappointing but understandable turnout, Paillé said.

"It's the fourth election here in one year," he told the CBC at a victory party at the Brasseries des Patriotes. "But I'll take every vote, and over 50 per cent for me, ... it's a good victory."

Paillé's closest rival, NDP candidate Jean-Claude Rocheleau, finished second with about 20 per cent of the vote, well ahead of Liberal candidate Robert David with 14 per cent.

The Bloc filed a police complaint on voting day, alleging that someone impersonating Quebec City MP Christian Gagnon was phoning voters and endorsing the Tories. Police are investigating.

The Conservatives now have 11 seats in Quebec, compared with the Bloc's 48 and the Liberals' 14.

Tories, NDP pick up wins in other byelections

The Quebec federal byelections were two of four votes across the country Monday night.

In Nova Scotia, Conservative candidate Scott Armstrong reclaimed the riding of Cumberland-Colchester-Musquodoboit Valley, a long-time Tory stronghold captured by an Independent in the 2008 general election.

In the B.C. riding of New Westminster-Coquitlam, the NDP's Fin Donnelly won easily, earning more than 49 per cent of the vote.

Conservative candidate Diana Dilworth was next, with slightly under 36 per cent of the vote, and Liberal Ken Beck Lee came a distant third with 10 per cent. Rebecca Helps of the Green Party was last.

With files from The Canadian Press