( CNN ) -- Canada 's Conservative Party was riding to a definitive victory as results from national elections came in early Tuesday . Preliminary results also showed that Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper would remain in power for the third time and also showed that a left-leaning political party , the New Democratic Party , would be propelled to the historic position as the country 's official opposition . But equally as momentous , Canada 's separatist party from Quebec , the Bloc Quebecois , was nearly wiped off the political map in Monday 's election , returning just a handful of members of parliament to the Canadian House of Commons . According to preliminary results from Elections Canada , Harper is set to win his first majority government with 166 seats out of a possible 308 . His party 's share of the popular vote in Canada stood at about 40 % , as most of the votes were counted from across the country . The election started with a whimper and a near collective moan from Canadians , as many called this an unnecessary election . But about three weeks into the five week campaign , the so-called 'Orange Crush ' hit Quebec , orange being the party colors of the New Democratic Party . From his campaign headquarters in Calgary , Harper hailed the Conservative victory , saying Canadians had made a clear choice . `` They chose hope , hope and unity of purpose and a strong Canada , '' said Harper before adding that he would be a leader for all Canadians . While polls had predicted the New Democratic Party 's popularity , the results stunned even party insiders . Party leader Jack Layton said that Canadians had said no to `` politics of usual . '' The surge of support for the NDP in Quebec turned out to be a game-changer not just in that province but across the country . `` Tonight Canadians voted to improve health care -- public health care , '' Layton said , underscoring his party 's policies in support of seniors and families . Michael Ignatieff , the former Harvard scholar who returned to Canada in 2005 to get into politics , led his Liberal party to arguably one of its worst defeats . For the first time , the party of former Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau finished third . `` It is tough to lose like this , '' Ignatieff bluntly told supporters in Toronto . `` Democracy teaches hard lessons and we have to learn them all , '' he said . `` Leaders have to accept their historic responsibility for their historic defeat . '' This election will change the political dialogue in Canada with the Conservatives potentially in full control of law-making in the House of Commons . Some of Harper 's priorities for defense , the economy and justice issues now stand a much better chance of becoming law . The head of Canada 's Green party also made history on Monday night . Elizabeth May became the first Green party member to be elected to parliament . The election was called after Canada 's House of Commons passed a no-confidence resolution aimed at Harper 's government , triggering the dissolution of Parliament . Liberal party leader Michael Ignatieff sponsored the resolution , citing a recent House committee report that found the government in contempt for failing to provide lawmakers with requested information on its spending plans .
Preliminary results shows Canada 's Conservative Party winning 166 parliament seats . The New Democratic Party surges in popularity and is poised to become the opposition party . Also the results show that Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper would remain in power .