Recount helps NDP match largest ever official opposition to majority

The New Democratic Party captured another seat in Quebec after a tabulation error prompted a recount in the riding of Montmagny-L’Islet-Kamouraska-Riviere-du-Loup. The eastern Quebec riding went Conservative on election night but 100 NDP votes were given to the Green party.

After the votes were validated, the NDP’s Francois Lapointe beat Tory Bernard Genereux by five votes. An official recount put Lapointe ahead by nine votes, giving Jack Layton’s NDP its 103rd seat.

Another recount is slated in Winnipeg-North where Liberal Kevin Lamoureux edged New Democrat Rebecca Blaikie by just 45 votes. Another NDP win would give the party the most seats ever by an Official Opposition to a majority government.